The government has presented the new salary requirements which are effective from January 1st, 2026. These changes may affect:
- New work- and residence permit applications for ICT permits, blue card permits or highly skilled migrant permits
- Extension application or change of employer notification
The new minimum required gross monthly salary thresholds are:
- Highly skilled migrant and ICT > 30 years: €5,942 gross per month (€5,688in 2025)
- Highly skilled migrant and ICT < 30 years: €4,357 gross per month (€4,171in 2025)
- Reduced salary criterion: €3,122 gross per month (€2,989in 2025)
- European Blue Card: €5,942 (€5,688 in 2025) or in case of reduced salary criterion €4,754 (€4,551 in 2025).
These amounts are excluding 8% holiday pay, variable bonuses, and a 13th month that is not paid in 12 equal parts on a monthly basis.
Besides the annual increase of the salaries, there is also an increase in the application fees:
- Highly skilled migrant or Blue Card (including extensions): €423
- Partner permit (including extensions): €254
- Child permit (including extensions): €85
- Recognized sponsorship: €5,080
- Recognized sponsorship reduced fee for small businesses: €2,539
Above minimum salaries and fees apply to all applications that are submitted on or after January 1st, 2026. This is also the case for:
- Extension applications
- Short stay work permits requested at the UWV
- Intra-corporate transfers
- Highly skilled migrants who work in the Netherlands while residing in a neighboring EU country
For questions or an overview of the total costs, feel free to contact us or call the phone number +31 (0) 85 – 620 4900.
