Netherlands immigration and settlement routes

The Netherlands' main highly skilled employment route. An IND-recognised sponsor must employ the applicant, pay the market rate and meet the 2026 monthly salary threshold excluding holiday allowance: EUR 5,942 for age 30 or older, EUR 4,357 under 30, or EUR 3,122 under the graduate reduction. This residence purpose is non-temporary and can normally count toward five-year permanent residence and naturalisation.

An EU work residence route for highly educated applicants or qualifying ICT managers and professionals. The Dutch employer does not have to be a recognised sponsor and the contract must last at least six months. The 2026 monthly salary threshold excluding holiday allowance is EUR 5,942, or EUR 4,754 for qualifying recent graduates or doctorate holders. EU Blue Card residence in different Member States may combine toward EU long-term residence when the conditions are met.

A combined residence and work permit for employment that does not fit a specialised category such as highly skilled migration. The employer normally must recruit in the Netherlands and EU/EEA first and register the vacancy with UWV, while paying the applicable collective-agreement or normal market wage. The permit is tied to the employer and conditions stated in the permit documents.

A temporary route for a non-EU multinational group to transfer a manager, specialist or trainee to a Dutch group entity. The applicant normally works outside the EU at application, has worked for the group outside the EU for at least three months and is transferred for more than 90 days. ICT has a maximum stay and is temporary; long-term settlement normally requires switching to highly skilled migration, a Blue Card or another non-temporary purpose.

A full-time student route through an IND-recognised higher-education institution. The 2026 living-funds standard for HBO or university study is EUR 1,130.77 per month excluding tuition, and students normally need at least 50% of the annual credits. Study is temporary; after graduation the applicant should use the orientation year or switch directly to highly skilled migration or a Blue Card. Study time normally counts at 50% toward EU long-term residence.

A one-year free job-search residence available once within three years after qualifying Dutch study or research, an Erasmus Mundus master's, or a master's, doctorate or post-doctorate at a designated top-200 university. Foreign universities normally must rank in the top 200 in at least two overall or subject rankings and be assessed by Nuffic. The permit cannot be extended; employment requires a later switch.

A start-up founder works with an RVO-recognised reliable facilitator under a guidance agreement and follows a staged business plan for an innovative product, technology or organisational method. The applicant must actively operate the business rather than merely invest and must register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. The permit lasts up to one year and cannot be extended; continued stay requires meeting the self-employed route.

For a business operator whose activity has substantial value for the Dutch economy, or an independent artist whose work has substantial cultural value. RVO or the cultural authority normally assesses experience, the business plan and added value. The applicant must register with the Chamber of Commerce, meet professional rules and obtain sufficient income from the business; the July–December 2026 gross-profit reference is EUR 1,766.77 per month including holiday allowance.

A family route for a married, registered or verifiably unmarried partner living with a Dutch citizen or qualifying Dutch resident. Both partners are normally at least 21, or 18 where they married abroad; they register at the same Dutch address, and the sponsor must have independent, sustainable income meeting the threshold. The July–December 2026 sponsor salary threshold is EUR 2,337 per month excluding holiday allowance. Some applicants must first pass the civic integration exam abroad.