Highly skilled migrant salary 2025: What you need to know
In a world that’s more connected than ever, the Netherlands has been a magnet for international talent. For those trying to build their careers or employers who have been looking to hire global talent, the Highly skilled Migrant Scheme (HSM) has remained one of the most popular way to work or to hire in the Netherlands. However, like everything else, some rules and conditions must be met and one of the most important one is meeting the annual salary thresholds set by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).
What is the highly skilled migrant scheme?
To have a better overview of these updates, the table below outlines theupdated 2025 salary thresholdsfor highly skilled migrants and blue card holders excluding the 8% holiday allowance:
However, if the application is submitted in 2024, you have an advantage as the salary thresholds of 2024 is still applicable even if the skilled migrant starts working in 2025.
Type highly skilled migrant/ blue card holders
First residence permit highly skilled migrant/ blue card holder from 1st January 2025
Application extension on residence permit highly skilled migrant / blue card holder for the same employer from 1st January 2025
When changing employer from 1st January 2025 (sponsor)
Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years with a Master’s degree
€ 4,171
€ 4,171
€ 4,171
Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older
€ 5,688
€ 5,688
€ 5,688
Highly skilled Migrants: Recent graduates at a Dutch University
€ 2,989
€2,989
€ 2,989
European blue cardholders
€ 5,688
€ 5,688
€ 5,688
What has changed from 2024 to 2025?
The salary thresholds are adjusted and updated annually to reflect the economic condition of the country. Here’s how the number of salary thresholds has a difference in the year of 2024 and 2025 excluding the 8% holiday allowance and bonuses:
Type highly skilled migrant/ blue card holders
Highly skilled migrant salary 2024 until 31 December 2024 (€)
Highly skilled migrant salary 1st January 2025 (€)
Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years with a Master’s degree
€ 3,909
€ 4,171
Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older
€ 5,331
€ 5,688
Highly skilled Migrants: Recent graduates at a Dutch University
€ 2,801
€ 2,989
European blue cardholders
€ 5,331
€ 5,688
This salary adjustments emphasize not only show the importance of meeting updates salary thresholds but also to maintain eligibility for residence permits.
What else is changing?
While the salary thresholds are usually adjusted annually to reflect the changes in the economy. One key update worth noticing the transition from the 30% ruling to the 27% ruling. Salary thresholds salary thresholds salary thresholds
What is the 30% ruling?
The 30% ruling is a tax benefit for employees who come to work in the Netherlands from abroad. The 30% ruling will still apply till 31 December 2026 however, from the 1st of January 2027, the percentage will decrease to 27%. Even if this may seem minor, it affects majorly on the expat allowance.
Wanna know more about how this amount reduction might affect you? If yes, then check this blog out about thetransition of a 30% ruling to 27%.
Implication for highly skilled migrants
For highly skilled migrants, it is necessary to know what changes and updates have been made and what things should be kept in mind before moving to the Netherlands in 2025. Below are the following things you need to know:
If you are a highly skilled migrant, you must meet the salary thresholds of 2025 set by the IND for new applications or residence permit renewals.
If you fall below the salary threshold, it can affect your eligibility to work as a highly skilled migrant.
Highly skilled migrant younger than 30 with a Master’s degree and recent graduates at a Dutch University have the advantage of a lower salary threshold.
Implications for employers
Before hiring any international in the Netherlands 2025, these are the following things employers should also keep in mind:
Salaries must meet updated thresholds, including for extensions and changes in employment.
There shouldn’t be any discrepancies in salary payments, if so you will jeopardize the migrant’s residence permit and contract as well as your status as a recognized sponsor with the IND.
These updates should be taken into consideration for the hiring plans and salary budget for 2025.
Hilfort’s role
The highly skilled migrant scheme does come with a complicated set of rules but at the same time it makes it easier to connect talent with opportunities in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is necessary to stay informed about these updates regarding salary thresholds and changes made by the IND.
We also understand that sometimes keeping up with the updates and changes can be challenging in the Netherlands and that’s where we come in. Hilfort stays up to date with the latest changes made by the IND. For example salary thresholds and regulations for highly skilled migrants. We ensure to make accurate calculations based on updates and also inform highly skilled migrant and their employer about the following upcoming changes promptly.
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The connection between HR and payroll
As your business grows, so do the responsibilities of the team: hiring new talent, making sure salaries are right, handling contracts, and answering endless employee questions. That’s the reality for HR and payroll teams. They’re the behind-the-scenes departments that keep a company running smoothly, yet they’re often seen as separate worlds. In reality, they’re more like two puzzle pieces: different shapes, but incomplete without each other.
We have spent the past few months writing blogs on topics like 30% ruling, recognised sponsors, salary thresholds, and visa requirements. However, all these topics are connected to one central concept: The Dutch highly skilled migrant scheme.
A highly skilled migrant Netherlands, also known as a knowledge migrant, is an employee from outside the EU who comes to the Netherlands for a specialised, high-demand job. These skilled migrants apply to work in the Netherlands, usually in the field of technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, and research.
The goal? To bring expertise that is not readily available in the Dutch labor market.
But how do the 30% ruling, recognised sponsors, and salary thresholds fit into the picture for highly skilled migrants? Here’s an overview:
In today’s global market, it’s becoming more and more common to receive CVs from foreigners. If they’re from a country within the European Union, you can hire them without any trouble. But what if they’re from Asia? From North America? It suddenly becomes much more complicated to hire them. Even though they might be the best fit for you and your company, you might pass on them because of the difficulties that come with hiring from abroad.
This scenario is all too common for Dutch businesses trying to remain competitive in a global market. The highly skilled migrant visa (HSM visa) is the answer to these challenges. It connects companies with highly skilled migrants around the world by breaking down the barriers for employers and providing new opportunities for employees.
In this blog, we’ll take you down the path of the HSM visa. By the end, we’re confident you’ll have another look at the international CVs you would normally cast aside.
Send us your inquiry or message, and experience prompt and attentive follow-up from our team. Your questions matter, and we’re here to provide swift and helpful responses.
