How to Move to the Netherlands in 2026: The Kennismigrant Visa Guide

Ever imagined trading your daily commute for a bike ride along the iconic Dutch canals? The Netherlands isn’t just a picturesque escape; it’s a global powerhouse currently headhunting top-tier international talent via the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa (or the Kennismigrant scheme). This permit is your most direct route to Europe because it bypasses the grueling “labor market test,” meaning your employer doesn’t have to prove they couldn’t find a local candidate, making your relocation significantly faster than traditional work visas.

However, as of February 2026, the goalposts have shifted with the IND officially hiking the salary thresholds to €5,942 for those 30 and older (and €4,357 for those under 30). Starting this year, a strict new compliance rule also requires Recognised Sponsors to maintain a paper trail of actual bank transfers to prove that your salary is deposited into a Dutch account in your name. Old-school payslips alone are no longer enough to satisfy IND inspectors, so navigating the TEV procedure now requires a sharper focus on these new traceability layers to ensure your move stays legally sound.

1. The Lowdown: What is the Kennismigrant Visa?

Think of the Highly Skilled Migrant program (locally known as the Kennismigrant) as the VIP fast-track to living in the Netherlands. Most work visas are a headache because of the Labor Market Test—that annoying rule requiring a boss to prove no one in the entire EU can do your job.

With this visa, you skip that drama entirely. But here’s the reality check: you can’t just decide to apply on your own. You need to land a job with an IND Recognised Sponsor (Erkende Referent) first. These are specific companies that the Dutch government has vetted and “pre-approved” to bring in global talent. If your future boss isn’t on that list, this visa route is a no-go.

2. The 2026 Salary Thresholds: Can You Clear the Bar?

This is where most applications succeed or fail. The IND adjusts the Indexation of Wages every year. If your Gross Monthly Salary (excluding the 8% holiday allowance) is even one Euro below the limit, your application will be rejected instantly.

Official 2026 Salary Requirements:

Category	Gross Monthly Salary (Excl. 8% Holiday Pay)
Migrants aged 30 or older	€5,942
Migrants under 30 years old	€4,357
Reduced Salary Criterion (Recent Graduates)	€3,122
EU Blue Card Holders	€5,942

Jani, Fact Check: In 2026, the IND has added a new rule. Your Erkende Referent must now keep bank statements proving that your salary is actually hitting your personal bank account every month. No more “cash-in-hand” or “unofficial” adjustments!

3. The 30% Tax Ruling: Your Financial Secret Weapon

The 30% Tax Ruling is why everyone wants to work in the Netherlands. If you qualify, your employer can pay 30% of your gross salary tax-free to cover extraterritorial costs.

Important 2026 Update: There was a plan to reduce this to 30-20-10, but the Dutch government partially reversed that. For 2026, the 30% benefit remains at its full rate. However, there is now an income cap of €262,000 (the Balkenende norm). Anything you earn above this limit is taxed at the normal rate.

4. The Game Plan: How the TEV Procedure Works in 2026

The TEV Procedure (Toegang en Verblijf) is basically a two-in-one deal. It handles your entry visa and your residency permit at the same time so you don’t have to keep running back and forth to the IND.

Step 1: Find a Verified Boss: Don’t waste time applying to just any company. You must check the Public Register of Recognised Sponsors on the IND site first. In 2026, the IND is auditing sponsors more than ever, so if your company isn’t on that “Gold List,” they physically cannot sponsor your visa.
Step 2: The MVV Sticker (Your Entry Ticket): Unless you’re lucky enough to be from a visa-exempt spot (like the US, UK, or Japan), you’ll need an MVV. Your employer handles the heavy lifting here while you’re still at home.
Pro-tip: In 2026, fees for this have gone up to €423, so make sure your contract covers these relocation costs!
Step 3: Biometrics & The Passport Hunt: Once the IND gives the green light, you’ll head to the Dutch embassy. They’ll take your fingerprints and snap a photo for your residency card. This is also when you get that crucial MVV sticker in your passport—without it, you aren’t getting past Schiphol airport security.
Step 4: Landing and the BSN Mission: After you land, you have exactly 5 days to register at your local Gemeente (Town Hall). This is where you get your BSN (Burgerservicenummer). Think of the BSN as your Key to the Netherlands. Without it, you can’t open a bank account, sign up for health insurance, or most importantly, get your first paycheck in Euros!

5. Life After Landing: Compliance and Integration

Getting the visa is 50% of the battle. Keeping it is the other half.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Most non-EU citizens must take a TB test at the GGD (Public Health Service) within 3 months of arrival.
Dutch Health Insurance: It’s mandatory. You have 4 months to sign up, or you’ll face a heavy fine.
DigiD: This is your digital identity for everything from taxes to doctor appointments. Get it as soon as you have your BSN.

6. Orientation Year & Permanent Residency: Your 2026 Strategy

If you happen to lose your job, don’t panic; the Dutch system actually gives you a bit of breathing room. As a Highly Skilled Migrant, you’re entitled to a 3-month search period to secure a new contract with an IND Recognised Sponsor. The only real trap here is that this period cannot extend past your original visa’s expiry date; so if your card was already set to expire in two months, your search window is unfortunately limited to those eight weeks.

For those who’ve recently graduated from a Dutch university or a Global Top 200 institution, the Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) is your ultimate safety net. It’s a one-year free pass to work anywhere from a high-tech startup to a local cafe without any minimum salary bars. However, once you transition back to a Skilled Migrant permit in 2026, you must meet the reduced salary threshold of €3,122 per month to keep your residency legal.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (2026 Edition)

Q: Can my partner actually work in the Netherlands without a separate permit?

Absolutely! This is one of the biggest perks of the Kennismigrant visa. Your partner gets “Free Labor Market Access,” which means their residence card will literally have the golden phrase: Arbeid vrij toegestaan (Work freely permitted). They don’t need a separate work permit (TWV), they aren’t tied to your sponsor, and they can work anywhere—from a corporate office in Amsterdam to a local startup—without meeting any minimum salary bar themselves.

Q: What happens to my visa status the moment I turn 30?

Don’t worry, you won’t lose your visa on your 30th birthday! If you stay with the same employer, you continue to qualify under the lower under-30 threshold (which is €4,357 in 2026). However, if you decide to switch jobs after turning 30, the “30+ rule” kicks in immediately. Your new contract must meet the 2026 monthly minimum of €5,942 (gross, excluding holiday pay) for the IND to approve the transfer.

Q: Is the EU Blue Card a better option than the HSM visa in 2026?

It depends on your travel plans. For 90% of people, the Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) visa is better because it’s faster (2–4 weeks) and has lower salary bars for younger talent. However, the EU Blue Card is the winner if you plan to move to other EU countries like Germany or France later; it now allows you to combine residency years across different member states to fast-track your Permanent Residency. If you’re staying in the Netherlands for the long haul, stick to the HSM route for its simplicity.

The Verdict:

Netherlands is definitely playing hardball in 2026 with higher €5,942 salary floors and strict bank-statement audits for sponsors, but the payoff is still massive. If you’ve got a compliant employer, this remains Europe’s most reliable fast-track to a high-quality life and a rock-solid residency permit.

Disclaimer:

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we’ve used the latest February 2026 salary thresholds and IND rules, immigration policies can change without notice. Always verify your specific case with an official IND Recognised Sponsor or a qualified immigration lawyer before applying.