Highly skilled migrant salary checker
Use this tool to quickly check whether your Dutch job offer is broadly aligned with the current IND salary thresholds for the highly skilled migrant route. It is built for expats comparing offers, sponsors and visa paths in the Netherlands.
30+ threshold
EUR 5,942
gross per month excl. holiday allowance
Under-30 threshold
EUR 4,357
gross per month excl. holiday allowance
Reduced criterion
EUR 3,122
for qualifying recent-graduate routes
Use the salary excluding 8% holiday allowance.
Core checks beyond salary
- Your employer normally needs to be a recognised sponsor.
- Your salary must meet the threshold excluding holiday allowance.
- The reduced criterion only applies to specific routes such as orientation year graduates.
- The salary still needs to be market-conform for the role.
When this is useful
- You are comparing multiple Dutch offers.
- You want to know whether a sponsor discussion is worth pursuing.
- You are deciding between the highly skilled migrant route and the EU Blue Card route.
- You are updating your CV and job title for Dutch applications.
Slimme vervolgstappen
Best next tools for expats applying in the Netherlands
Salary eligibility is only one part of the move. The next questions are usually route comparison, Dutch job title fit and how to shape your CV for the local market.
Zoekjaar checker
ExpatCheck whether you still fit the orientation year route behind the reduced salary criterion.
EU Blue Card checker
ExpatCompare the Blue Card route with the highly skilled migrant route using current 2026 thresholds.
Job title translator NL-EN
ExpatTranslate your current title into a recruiter-friendly Dutch or English version.
Build your CV
CVTurn the route check into an application-ready CV in the editor.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the highly skilled migrant salary threshold in the Netherlands in 2026?
From January 1, 2026 up to and including June 30, 2026, the IND thresholds are EUR 5,942 gross per month for applicants aged 30 or over, EUR 4,357 for applicants under 30, and EUR 3,122 for the reduced salary criterion.
Does holiday allowance count toward the threshold?
No. The IND salary thresholds are checked excluding the standard 8% holiday allowance.
Do I need a recognised sponsor for the highly skilled migrant route?
Usually yes. The employer normally needs to be a recognised sponsor with the IND for the highly skilled migrant route.
Does this tool give legal approval?
No. It is a quick eligibility screen for salary and sponsor status. IND still assesses the full route, documents, market-conform salary and the exact basis for any reduced threshold.
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