For most people moving to the Netherlands the highly skilled migrant permit is the easier route: it has no degree requirement, and the threshold is lower if you are under 30 (€4,357 against €5,942 a month in 2026). The EU Blue Card is worth it if your employer is not a recognised sponsor, or if you want to move on to another EU country or build up EU long-term residence faster.
side by side
| highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant) | EU Blue Card | |
|---|---|---|
| salary, 30 or older (2026, gross per month) | €5,942 | €5,942 |
| salary, under 30 | €4,357 | €5,942 |
| reduced salary | €3,122 for recent graduates and orientation-year holders | €4,754 within 3 years of graduating |
| education or experience | No requirement | A higher education programme of at least 3 years, or 5 years of relevant experience at that level (3 years in the last 7 for IT) |
| contract | Any length; the permit runs as long as the contract, up to 5 years | At least 6 months; the card runs until 3 months after the contract ends, up to 5 years |
| employer must be a recognised sponsor | Yes | No |
| who applies | The employer | The employer, or you at a Dutch embassy or consulate |
| IND fee (2026) | €423 | €423 |
| decision period | Target 2 weeks for a recognised sponsor; legal maximum 90 days | 30 days via a recognised sponsor; up to 90 days otherwise |
| moving to another EU country | Not covered | Long-term mobility after 12 months in a Blue Card country |
| job loss | 3 months to find a new job; 6 months after 2 years on the permit | 3 months; 6 months after 2 years on the card |
| side work | Self-employed work allowed; another employer needs a TWV | Self-employed work allowed; another employer needs a TWV |
when the highly skilled migrant permit is better
- You are under 30. The threshold is €1,585 a month lower.
- You do not have a bachelor's-level degree of at least three years and cannot show five years of relevant experience.
- Your employer is already on the register. Most large Dutch employers that hire internationals are, and their applications get the two-week target.
when the Blue Card is better
- Your employer is not a recognised sponsor. For the Blue Card it does not have to be, but it must carry out economic activity and must not have been fined in the past 5 years.
- You may want to move to another EU country later. After 12 months you can use long-term mobility to work in another country that takes part in the Blue Card scheme.
- You want EU long-term residence through time in more than one EU country. Blue Card holders can count periods spent in other Blue Card countries; see the IND page for the exact conditions.
what is the same
Both use the same salary threshold at 30 or older, both cost €423, both let your partner and children join you, and both need an MVV first if your nationality requires one. Neither needs a separate work permit for the main job. You can also qualify for the 30% ruling on either, because the tax benefit depends on your salary and where you lived before, not on the permit.
sources
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Is the EU Blue Card salary the same as the kennismigrant salary in 2026?
At 30 or older, yes: both are €5,942 gross a month in 2026. Under 30 the highly skilled migrant threshold is lower (€4,357), while the Blue Card has no age discount, only a reduced €4,754 for people within 3 years of graduating.
Does my employer need to be a recognised sponsor for a Blue Card?
No. Recognition is required for the highly skilled migrant permit but not for the EU Blue Card. A non-recognised employer must carry out economic activity and must not have been fined in the past 5 years.
Can I switch from a highly skilled migrant permit to a Blue Card?
You can apply for a change of purpose if you meet the Blue Card conditions. Check the IND page for your situation before you change anything, because your current permit stays tied to its own conditions until the new one is granted.
Which is faster?
A complete highly skilled migrant application from a recognised sponsor has a 2-week target. A Blue Card has a 30-day decision period when filed by a recognised sponsor, and up to 90 days otherwise.