Salary Threshold for Highly Skilled Migrants to Increase

What Employers Should Know

The Dutch government is proposing several key changes that will impact the salary threshold for highly skilled migrants. These updates are part of a broader policy shift aimed at balancing the attractiveness of the Netherlands for international talent with stronger compliance measures.

Under the proposed legislation, the salary threshold for highly skilled migrants under the age of 30 may increase to 1.1 times the average gross annual wage. Currently, the minimum monthly salary for this group is €4,171. If passed, the new rules would raise that threshold by several hundred euros per month. This is a significant adjustment that could influence hiring decisions and international mobility planning.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The government also wants to tighten requirements for companies acting as recognized sponsors. From financial health to legal compliance, organizations will be judged more strictly. Repeated violations—such as tax issues, underpayment of wages, or illegal employment—may now result in permit application denials or the loss of recognized sponsor status.

For companies who haven’t employed any highly skilled migrants in the past two years, automatic deregistration is also on the table.

These changes are still in development, and their impact on the Dutch labor market and investment climate is being assessed.

Curious how these changes may affect your organization’s hiring strategy?

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