The latest changes in Dutch immigration rules, salary thresholds and fees – explained in plain English, with what they mean for you.
Last update: 19 October 2026 · Summaries by Yari Immigration Services. Always check the official source before you take a decision.
Family
Income requirement for partner and family: the amounts until 31 December 2026
From 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026 the sponsor of a partner or family member needs at least €2,337.00 gross a month without holiday allowance, or €2,523.96 including holiday allowance.
For a single parent who brings a child (not a partner), the amount is €1,635.90 – or €1,766.77 including holiday allowance. The amounts change every 1 January and 1 July.
What it means for you: Check the sponsor’s payslips against these amounts before you apply. The income must be sufficient and lasting – a contract that ends soon can lead to a refusal.
Not enough salary? Savings can also meet the income requirement
A sponsor without enough income can sometimes rely on own assets (eigen vermogen) instead. The savings must be at least 36 times the monthly required amount including holiday allowance – with the amounts from 1 July 2026 that is €90,862.56.
The money must be freely available, for example in a savings account, and its origin must be clear. The IND can ask for bank statements covering the year before the application, and for proof of tax paid on a gift or inheritance.
What it means for you: Savings can open the door when salary falls short – but the origin and history of the money must be well documented. We check your file before you apply.
Exempt from the civic integration exam abroad – are you?
Many partners do not need the basic civic integration exam abroad. Exempt are, among others, nationals of EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Monaco and Vatican City.
Also exempt: family of a person with a temporary residence purpose (such as a highly skilled migrant), family of an EU citizen or asylum status holder, people under 18 or at state pension age, and holders of certain Dutch-taught diplomas. Request the exemption with IND form 7606 – medical dispensation is possible after an examination by a doctor appointed by the embassy.
What it means for you: Check for an exemption before you register for the exam – it can save months. The exam costs €150 and the result is valid for 1 year.
The IND’s service desk for recognised sponsors is closed from 9:00 to 13:00 on Tuesday 29 September and Tuesday 27 October 2026. The new Business Newsletter for recognised sponsors was published the same day.
What it means for you: Plan urgent questions to the IND around these dates.
IND starts applying new family reunification rules for refugees
The IND has started assessing a small number of family reunification applications from refugees (nareis) under the new rules, to test them in practice before wider use.
What it means for you: Waiting for family to join you as a refugee? Ask us how the new rules apply to your case.
New salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants and the EU Blue Card
From 1 January 2026 the gross monthly salary (excluding holiday pay) must be at least €5,942 for highly skilled migrants aged 30 or over, €4,357 under 30 and €3,122 for the reduced criterion (for example recent graduates). For the EU Blue Card the threshold is €5,942, or €4,754 under the reduced criterion.
What it means for you: The amount that counts is the one valid on the date of the application.
The IND raised its fees by 4.4% in 2026, in line with wage growth. A highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card or ICT application now costs €423; an application for a family member €254.
What it means for you: Fees change every 1 January – always check the current amount before you apply.
More administration duties for recognised sponsors
Since 1 January 2026, recognised sponsors must keep extra information about their employees in their records, so the IND can supervise more effectively.
What it means for you: Employers: check that your HR file for each international employee is complete.
For the 30% ruling, the salary norm for 2026 is more than €48,013 per year, and the income cap is €262,000. The transitional rule for the cap ended on 1 January 2026, so the cap now applies to all employees.
What it means for you: Talk to your employer or tax adviser about what this means for your net salary.
