Netherlands raises salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants in 2026

• The Dutch kennismigrant scheme updated its salary thresholds for 2026, raising the bar for skilled professionals wanting to work in the Netherlands
• South Africans over 30 must earn at least €5,942 (R109 622,83) per month, while those under 30 need €4,357 (R80 376,85) to qualify under the standard criteria
• A reduced threshold of €3,122 (R57 593,88) exists but only applies to a narrow group of recent graduates meeting specific conditions

South Africans eyeing a career move to the Netherlands face stricter salary requirements in 2026, with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) confirming new monthly earning thresholds for its highly skilled migrant route, known as the kennismigrant scheme.

The updated figures place the standard requirement at €5,942 gross per month (roughly R109 622,83) for applicants aged 30 or older. Younger applicants, those under 30, must meet a lower threshold of €4,357 per month (approximately R80 376,85). A reduced criterion of €3,122 per month (about R57 593,88) exists but is not a general fallback option. It applies only to recent graduates who qualify for the Dutch orientation year for highly educated persons and must apply within three years of completing their studies.

What counts towards the salary threshold

One of the most common pitfalls for applicants is misunderstanding what the IND actually counts when assessing salary. The monthly figure is calculated before holiday allowance, which is standard across Dutch employment contracts. Bonuses, overtime, and benefits paid in kind are also excluded.

Only a guaranteed base salary, plus any contractually agreed fixed allowances paid monthly into the applicant's personal bank account, will count towards the threshold. A 13th-month payment, for instance, only qualifies if it is split into 12 equal monthly instalments rather than paid as a lump sum.

*This means a job offer that looks attractive on paper, with a generous annual package, may still fall short of the immigration requirement if the guaranteed monthly base salary is below the applicable threshold.

Employer sponsorship is non-negotiable

Beyond salary, South African applicants must secure employment with an IND-recognised sponsor. Employers must be registered on the IND's public sponsor register before they can submit a highly skilled migrant application on behalf of an overseas hire. A strong salary offer from an unregistered employer cannot substitute for this requirement.

Applications submitted by recognised sponsors benefit from faster processing, with the IND targeting decisions within approximately two weeks for complete and eligible submissions. The standard legal decision period is 90 days. The application fee for a highly skilled migrant residence permit is €423 in 2026.

There is no annual quota capping the number of applications, meaning eligible professionals are not competing for a fixed number of places. However, every applicant and employer must still meet all immigration conditions individually.

The Dutch government has also signalled potential policy tightening, including higher salary thresholds for younger migrants and stricter sponsor requirements. These proposals are not yet in force and should not be confused with the current 2026 rules. South Africans planning to apply later in the year or in 2027 are advised to verify the latest IND requirements before signing any employment contract.

Read the full requirements here.

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Source: Briefly News