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2026 Dutch Immigration Updates: New Salary & Compliance Rules
As of 1 January 2026, the Dutch government has implemented its annual adjustments to immigration salary thresholds and IND application fees, alongside new compliance obligations for recognised sponsors that directly affect payroll, record-keeping, and audit readiness.
Below is a clear overview of what has changed and what HR teams should review now to stay compliant.
Updated Salary Thresholds for 2026
All salary thresholds are gross monthly amounts, excluding holiday allowance.
Highly Skilled Migrants / EU ICT – aged 30 and over: € 5,942
Highly Skilled Migrants / EU ICT – under 30: € 4,357
Highly Skilled Migrant – Graduate: € 3,122
EU Blue Card holder: € 5,942
EU Blue Card holder – Graduate: € 4,754
Note: For change of employer notifications, the start date of the new employment contract determines the applicable salary threshold — not the date of submission.
New Obligation for Recognised Sponsors
Starting this year, sponsors must be able to provide evidence that the net salary was successfully transferred to a bank account in the employee's name. It is no longer sufficient to only retain payslips; you must now actively prove that the salary was paid into the employee's bank account.
Recognised sponsors must now archive:
Business bank account statements
Batch payment overviews
The IND may request these documents during a compliance audit. We recommend integrating these records into your centralized employee filing system to ensure audit readiness.
Increase in IND Application Fees
Government fees for immigration applications have also been indexed for the new year.
Sponsor Recognition Application (Regular): € 5,080
Sponsor Recognition Application (Reduced): € 2,539
HSM / EU Blue Card Application: € 423
Family Member Application: € 254
Why This Matters
Failure to meet these new salary levels or to provide the required proof of payment during an audit can lead to serious consequences, including administrative fines or the withdrawal of your recognised sponsor status. A proactive compliance check can help identify gaps before the IND does and protect both your workforce planning and sponsor status.
Need help with a compliance check? Get in touch with our team today: info@expatmanagementgroup.com.
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