NetherlandsWork

EU Blue Card in the Netherlands

The EU Blue Card is a Dutch residence permit for highly qualified specialists from countries outside the European Union, the EEA and Switzerland who have been invited by a Dutch employer. The card also opens up mobility within the EU and a faster route to permanent residence.

Source: IND — Immigration and Naturalisation Service of the Netherlands

Who can file an application

The applicant’s situation

You do not yet hold an EU Blue Card, or you have held one in another EU country for less than 12 months — a new application for a card to work in the Netherlands
You hold an asylum permit in one of the EU countries that use the Blue Card scheme — you can also apply for a card to work in the Netherlands
You have held an EU Blue Card in another participating country for 12 months or more — this is “long-term mobility”, with a faster processing time

Education and experience

A higher education diploma from a programme of at least 3 years in a relevant field
Or at least 5 years of relevant work experience at higher education level (for IT specialists — 3 years within the 7 years before the application)
A foreign diploma must be assessed by the Dutch organisation Nuffic

Employment conditions

An employment contract with a Dutch employer for at least 6 months
Work only for the employer that filed the application, without a separate work permit; self-employment is allowed
Work for another employer requires a separate UWV permit

What it costs

Standard gross salary threshold per month excluding holiday allowance (1 July — 31 December 2026)	5 942 EUR
Reduced salary threshold for recent higher education graduates, application within 3 years of graduation (1 July — 31 December 2026)	4 754 EUR

Documents to gather

The exact list of documents is set by the application form; they must be collected before filing.

An employment contract with a Dutch employer for at least 6 months
A higher education diploma (a foreign diploma with a Nuffic assessment) or proof of relevant work experience
Foreign documents — legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German

How the process runs

The application is usually filed by the sponsoring employer; some categories of applicant receive a decision faster.

1
Check the education, experience and salary requirements
Make sure that the diploma, work experience and employment contract meet the conditions of the EU Blue Card.
2
Collect the documents
Foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German; a foreign diploma must be assessed by Nuffic.
3
File the application and pay the fee
fee EUR 423.00
The application is filed by the sponsoring employer (or by the applicant); applications for family members can be filed at the same time.
4
Wait for the IND decision
30, 45 or 90 days depending on the category of applicant
30 days — for recognised sponsors, long-term mobility cases and applications for family members; 45 days — where certain related residence permits are held; 90 days — in all other cases.
5
Obtain the MVV visa, if one is required
If the decision is positive and an MVV entry visa is required, it is issued at a Dutch embassy or consulate.
6
Collect the residence permit
The document is collected by appointment at an IND office. The EU Blue Card is issued for a maximum of 5 years and no longer than 3 months after the end of the employment contract — whichever comes first.

Timelines and rights

Work

Work for the employer that filed the application without a work permit; self-employment is allowed. Other work requires a separate permit from the UWV.

Who you can bring with you

Family members apply at the same time as the EU Blue Card holder.

Partner and children

The application for family members is filed at the same time as the EU Blue Card application; the processing time is 30 days.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

A stay of at least 12 months on an EU Blue Card in another EU country (mobility), or of at least 6 months after such a stay (subsequent mobility), exempts you from having to obtain an MVV visa.

The EU Blue Card is valid for a maximum of 5 years and no longer than 3 months after the end of the employment contract — whichever comes first. It is extended under the ordinary procedure for extending a temporary residence permit.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

The EU Blue Card counts as a non-temporary purpose of stay, so its duration is taken into account when applying for Dutch citizenship.

Frequently asked questions about EU Blue Card

Who can obtain an EU Blue Card in the Netherlands?

You need a higher education diploma from a programme of at least 3 years in a relevant field, or at least 5 years of relevant work experience at higher education level (for IT specialists — 3 years within the 7 years before the application), together with an employment contract with a Dutch employer for at least 6 months.

How much does filing cost and how long does the assessment take?

The fee for assessing the application is EUR 423.00. A decision is taken within 30 days (recognised sponsors, long-term mobility, applications for family members), 45 days (where certain related residence permits are held) or 90 days (in all other cases).

What is the minimum salary for an EU Blue Card?

From 1 July to 31 December 2026 the standard threshold is EUR 5,942.00 gross per month excluding holiday allowance. The reduced threshold — EUR 4,754.00 — applies to recent higher education graduates if the employer files the application within 3 years of the date of graduation or thesis defence. The amounts are reviewed on 1 January each year.

Can I move to the Netherlands on an EU Blue Card issued in another European Union country?

Yes. If you have held an EU Blue Card in another participating country for less than 12 months, an ordinary new application is filed. If you have held it for 12 months or more, this is “long-term mobility”, for which a faster processing time of 30 days applies.

Can the family come along with the EU Blue Card holder?

Yes, a separate application is filed for family members at the same time as the EU Blue Card application, and its processing time is also 30 days.

How long is the EU Blue Card valid and can it be extended?

The card is issued for a maximum of 5 years and no longer than 3 months after the end of the employment contract — whichever comes first. Once it expires, the ordinary procedure for extending a temporary residence permit applies.

Other ways to move to Netherlands

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Netherlands.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.