Netherlands Blue Card

EU Blue Card for highly educated non-EU employees with a 2026 salary threshold of EUR 5,942 (≈ $6,640) gross per month, or EUR 4,754 (≈ $5,310) under the reduced criterion; the employer needs no sponsor recognition. ^{1 2 3}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least EUR 5,942 a month (≈ $6,640) · European Blue Card salary criterion 2026, gross per month. ¹
• Income of at least EUR 4,754 a month (≈ $5,310) · Reduced criterion for graduates within 3 years of graduation or promotion, or an extension within 24 months of the first permit. ¹
• A fee of EUR 423 (≈ $470) · IND application fee for a Blue Card application. ^{2 3}

Requirements

• The applicant is a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national who will do highly qualified work. ³
• The applicant has a higher-education diploma of at least 3 years, or 5 years of relevant experience at that level. ³
• IT managers and professionals need 3 years of relevant experience in the 7 years before applying. ³
• The employment contract is valid for at least 6 months and the employer carries out economic activity. ³
• The employer has not been fined in the past 5 years under the main employment and labour laws. ³
• The salary criterion for 2026 is EUR 5,942 (≈ $6,640) gross per month. ¹
• The reduced criterion is EUR 4,754 (≈ $5,310) gross per month for recent graduates or an extension within 24 months. ¹
• Fixed allowances count only if they are in the contract and paid monthly to the employee's account. ¹
• The application fee is EUR 423 (≈ $470). ^{2 3}
• A foreign diploma is evaluated by Nuffic; regulated professions need proof of the right to practise. ³
• The employer or the employee applies in writing by post; an MVV is needed for some nationalities. ³
• After 5 years of residence a permanent permit is possible, and sometimes earlier for Blue Card holders. ³

Stay

• Valid up to 3 months after the employment contract ends and for 5 years at most; extension is possible.
• First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Work for the employer that applied, without a work permit; self-employed work alongside is allowed; another employer needs a work permit.

Family

Family members can apply for residence permits through the employer or by themselves.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Required amounts: income requirements (valid 2026) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-10
2. Immigration and Naturalisation Service: fees for residence permit applications · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11
3. European Blue Card residence permit · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11
4. Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11