Moving to the Netherlands

Relocation and immigration guide for international professionals planning to move or settle in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is an EU and Schengen member. The main sponsored work route for non-EU professionals is the Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) permit, alongside the EU Blue Card.

🇪🇺 EU Member 🛂 Schengen Zone

Moving to the Netherlands: what you need to know

Verified facts on visas, salaries, housing, tax, and arrival steps for non-EU professionals — sourced from official sites, with confidence noted where limited.

Use the jump links above or scan the sections below; topic guides and profession rails follow.

Immigration and work permits

The Netherlands supports Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) and EU Blue Card routes, plus the single permit (GVVA), orientation year, start-up, seasonal work, and family reunification. IND fees and typical processing times are in each row.

Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) — typical processing ~2 weeks (legal maximum 90 days)
EU Blue Card — typical processing ~2 weeks with a recognised sponsor; up to 90 days otherwise
Single permit (GVVA) — typical processing ~7 weeks (legal maximum 90 days)

→ Full Netherlands visa and immigration guide

Salaries and cost of living

Average gross pay is about €48,000 modal gross annual income (CPB, 2026). Minimum wage: €14.99/hour (national minimum wage from 1 July 2026).

→ Jobs and salary benchmarks in the Netherlands

Housing and rentals

Dutch private rentals are highly competitive, especially in Amsterdam, while social housing queues are typically too long for new arrivals.

→ Housing guide for the Netherlands

Tax for new arrivals

The Netherlands taxes employment income via Box 1 bands, applies standard and reduced VAT rates, and requires KvK/Belastingdienst registration for freelancers.

→ Netherlands tax guide

Permanent residence and citizenship

Permanent residence and Dutch nationality procedures published by the IND, including civic integration exams, BRP registration, and municipality-led naturalisation intake.

→ Permanent residency and citizenship in the Netherlands

How to settle in the Netherlands

After your permit is approved, register for a tax ID, banking, and healthcare — the checklist further down covers the full sequence.

Register at your municipality (gemeente) within 5 days of arrival to receive your BSN (burgerservicenummer) — required for almost everything
Apply for a DigiD (digital identity) at digid.nl once you have your BSN — used for government portals, tax filing, and many landlords
Open a bank account: bunq can be opened without a BSN; ING and ABN AMRO require a BSN appointment
Apply for a Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) permit at the IND if not already arranged by your employer
Register with a local GP (huisarts) — required before you can access the Dutch healthcare system

Everything you need to settle in the Netherlands

Visa & Immigration

Complete guide to work permits and visas for the Netherlands.

Permanent residency & citizenship

Settlement routes, PR timelines, and citizenship rules for the Netherlands.

Tax Guide

Income tax brackets, freelancer registration, and tax treaties in the Netherlands.

Jobs

Portals, top sectors, and salary benchmarks.

Schools & Education

Public and international schools for expat families in the Netherlands.

Healthcare

How to register with public health insurance and find a doctor in the Netherlands.

Banking

Best bank accounts for new arrivals and expats in the Netherlands.

Housing

Rental market overview, average rents by city, and tenant rights in the Netherlands.

Students

Study visas, universities, and practical tips for international students in the Netherlands.

Guides by profession

Salary ranges and demand signals — open a guide for visa routes and qualification notes for your field.

💻 Software Engineer

€46,410-€58,200

Explore guide →

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