Highly skilled migrant salary 2025: What you need to know

What is the highly skilled migrant scheme?

To have a better overview of these updates, the table below outlines the updated 2025 salary thresholds for 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.

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:

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 the transition 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.