Welcome to the BlueStone Expat Solutions Knowledge Base, your trusted resource for navigating life as a highly skilled migrant in the Netherlands. Here, we offer expert insights on immigration processes, tax, workplace dynamics, and practical tips for settling in smoothly. Our concise, informative articles are designed to make complex topics accessible and support you through every stage of your expat journey.
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The Netherlands is renowned as an international hub for knowledge and innovation, welcoming talent worldwide. The Dutch government offers a unique opportunity for highly educated graduates from non-EU countries: the Orientation Year residence permit. This program lets graduates kickstart their careers in the Netherlands and gain valuable work experience. At BlueStone, we understand this transition's challenges and offer comprehensive support to help these talents thrive.
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Last week, Minister Faber of Asylum and Migration announced plans to tighten the highly skilled migrant scheme. Outsourcing and payroll methods have been identified as vulnerable to abuse. Examples include sham arrangements, insufficient wage payments, and precarious working conditions for highly skilled migrants. Furthermore, state actors increasingly pose risks using economic means to access strategically significant technology or knowledge, threatening national security.
Afgelopen week heeft minister Faber van Asiel en Migratie aangekondigd de kennismigrantenregeling aan te scherpen. Van de uitleen methodes uitzenden en payrollen is geconstateerd dat zij gevoelig zijn voor misbruik. Denk aan schijnconstructies, onvoldoende loonbetaling, en kwetsbare arbeidsomstandigheden voor kennismigranten. Ook vormen statelijke actoren steeds vaker een risico door gebruik te maken van economische middelen om technologie of kennis van strategisch belang te verkrijgen. Dit vormt een bedreiging voor de nationale veiligheid.
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Starting 1 January 2025, new provisional salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants and European Blue Card holders will apply. As an employer, staying updated on these thresholds is crucial for compliance and attracting top international talent.
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The 30% rule is a tax benefit for highly skilled migrants working in the Netherlands, designed to attract specialised talent scarce in the local labour market. For eligible employees, the scheme allows up to 30% of their gross salary to be paid tax-free to compensate for the extra costs of living abroad. Each year, the Dutch government adjusts the salary requirements to ensure that only employees with specific expertise qualify. The amounts for 2025 are provisional based on provisional legislation. Here is an overview of the provisional adjustments and what employers and employees should consider.
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The Netherlands is renowned for its tulip fields, innovative design, and efficient infrastructure. However, among these, one of the most defining aspects of Dutch identity is its relationship with water. A country where nearly a third of the land is below sea level has had to develop ingenious ways to keep itself safe from the sea. Thus, the Deltawerken, or Delta Works, was born – a massive engineering project that protects the country from flooding and shapes its coastlines. For highly skilled migrants living and working in the Netherlands, understanding this impressive feat offers valuable insights into the country’s resilience and ingenuity and why sustainable, future-oriented design is embedded in the Dutch approach to problem-solving.
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When highly skilled migrants move to the Netherlands, they encounter a society that has not just learned to live with water but has engineered the landscape around it to build resilience, security, and opportunity. The Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometer causeway connecting the provinces of North Holland and Friesland, symbolises Dutch ingenuity and a living example of the country’s historic battle against the sea. This formidable dike, constructed between 1927 and 1932, turned the once-dangerous Zuiderzee into the manageable IJsselmeer, fundamentally reshaping the Dutch landscape and its future.
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As of January 1, 2024, the 30% ruling was reduced with a gradual scaling down of the tax exemption. The first 20 months applied a 30% exemption, followed by 20% in the subsequent 20 months, and in the final 20 months, the exemption was reduced to 10%. Compared to the original 30% ruling, these changes made the system more complex and faced significant resistance from the business community. Therefore, it has been decided to revise the 30% ruling again as of January 1, 2025.
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Leiden, a charming city renowned for its prestigious university, cultural heritage, and growing research and biotech industries, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for highly skilled migrants. As a highly skilled migrant moving to Leiden for work or study, the transition to a new country can feel overwhelming. Luckily, the Expat Center Leiden and BlueStone Expat Solutions support you every step of the way, making your move to the Netherlands smooth and efficient.
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Dutch Expat Centers Relocating to a new country can be overwhelming, especially for highly skilled migrants moving for work. To make this transition smoother, the Netherlands offers a robust network of Expat Centers to assist international professionals, including highly skilled migrants, in settling into their new surroundings.
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A critical step in applying for a residence permit in the Netherlands is the tuberculosis (TB) test. This requirement is part of the immigration process to ensure public health safety and control the spread of TB, a serious infectious disease.
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When recognised as a sponsor by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Dutch businesses can hire highly skilled migrants more efficiently. Recognised sponsors enjoy fast-tracked application procedures and are trusted partners of the Dutch government.
Are you considering hiring employees in countries outside the Netherlands that lack a legal entity in those locations? An Employer of Record (EOR) status may be a valuable solution for businesses looking to expand internationally.
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Are you a highly skilled migrant planning to work in the Netherlands? If so, you might encounter additional expenses, known as extraterritorial costs. The 30% ruling, a Dutch tax benefit, aims to lighten this burden, thus attracting foreign expertise to the Netherlands.
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The MyBlueStone app was developed especially for our knowledge migrants.The app is linked to the BlueStone portal, where the immigration process for knowledge migrants can be followed closely. This way, we make things easier for our clients and knowledge migrants.
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Ensuring the validity of your residence permit is paramount, especially for highly skilled migrants. Typically, such permits are valid for up to five years or the duration specified in your employment contract.
BlueStone Solutions B.V. is certified in accordance with NEN 4400-1 and recognised sponsor with the IND.
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