Netherlands European Blue Card work and residence permit

People taking highly qualified work in the Netherlands who meet the qualification or experience requirements and have an employment contract meeting the permit conditions.

• Valid travel document

  You must have a valid passport or other travel document.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Public order

  You must not pose a danger to public order or national security. Everyone over 12 must complete and enclose an Appendix Antecedents Certificate.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Highly qualified work

  You must be doing highly qualified work in the Netherlands.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Qualification or experience

  You must have either a diploma from a higher education programme lasting at least 3 years that is needed for and appropriate to the profession or sector, or at least 5 years of relevant work experience at higher-education-diploma level. For an IT manager or IT professional, the experience alternative is at least 3 years of relevant experience during the 7 years before the application. Nuffic must evaluate a foreign diploma.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Minimum salary

  The 2026 European Blue Card required amount is €5,942 gross per month. The reduced amount is €4,754 gross per month for graduates who completed a higher education programme if the application is made within 3 years after graduation or promotion.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Employment contract

  Your employment contract must be valid for at least 6 months.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Employer's activity

  Your employer's company must carry out economic activity.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Employer's record

  Your employer must not have been fined in the past 5 years for violating the Foreign Nationals Employment Act, Working Hours Act, Dutch Workers Allocation by Intermediaries Act, Working Conditions Act, State Taxes Act or Minimum Wage Act.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Permission to practiseSometimes needed

  If you have a regulated profession, you must demonstrate that you are allowed to practise it in the Netherlands.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Healthcare registrationSometimes needed

  If you will work in individual healthcare in a medical profession listed in Article 3 or Article 36a of the BIG Act, you must be registered in the BIG register.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Entry visa if requiredSometimes needed

  An MVV is required for most nationalities applying for a regular residence permit for a stay of more than 90 days; the IND lists nationality-based and other exemptions.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• Tuberculosis testSometimes needed

  You must take a tuberculosis test after arriving in the Netherlands unless an IND-listed exemption applies.

  ind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource

• First European Blue Card application or change in purpose of stayind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource€423 per person
• European Blue Card application for a holder of long-term EU resident status in another EU member stateind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource€254 per person
• European Blue Card application under the EC–Turkey Association Agreement, with or without an MVVind.nl · checked 5 days agoSource€85 per person
• Decision timeThe decision period is 30 days for an application submitted by a recognised sponsor or for long-term mobility, and 90 days for other applications from abroad. These are decision periods, not promised processing times; the IND can extend a decision period.4 weeks to 3 months

1. Get ready

   • Check that you meet the requirements

     Check the work, qualification or experience, salary, contract and employer conditions, and whether you need an MVV.

   • Collect your documents

     Use the application form's document list, and have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

     You’ll need: Documents listed on the application form, Legalised and translated official foreign documents, where applicable

   • Have your foreign diploma evaluated

     If you rely on a foreign diploma, Nuffic must evaluate it.

     You’ll need: Foreign diploma, if applicable

2. Apply

   • Submit the application

     The IND recommends that your employer apply in the Netherlands for the MVV and residence permit together, in writing by post; you may instead apply at a Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.

     You’ll need: Completed application form, Documents listed on the application form

   • Pay the application fee

     The IND sends a letter explaining payment; a recognised sponsor pays by direct debit.

   • Wait for the decision

     The IND sends a decision, which you can also follow in My IND.

3. Visa

   • Arrange your MVV sticker if required

     After a positive decision, make an appointment at the Dutch representation named in the application within 3 months; your passport must have at least 6 months' validity when the sticker is placed in it.

     You’ll need: Passport

4. Travel

   • Travel to the Netherlands

     When you arrive

     If you require an MVV, use it to travel to the Netherlands while it is valid.

     You’ll need: MVV, if required

5. Settle in

   • Collect your residence permit

     When the permit is ready, the IND sends a letter and you must make an appointment to collect it at an IND desk.

   • Take a tuberculosis test if required

     If your employer indicated in the application that you will take the test, make an appointment with the public health service within 3 months after receiving your residence permit.

     You’ll need: Appendix TB test referral form

The permit can be extended. A holder can apply for permanent residence after 5 years, or may qualify to apply for long-term EU residence earlier in the circumstances specified by the IND.

• European Blue Card residence permit | INDind.nlOfficial
• Required amounts income requirements | INDind.nlOfficial
• Fees: costs of an application | INDind.nlOfficial
• Decision periods | INDind.nlOfficial
• Provisional residence permit (MVV) | INDind.nlOfficial
• Requirements that apply to everyone | INDind.nlOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.