KNM Salary Requirements in 2026

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) annually re-indexes and announces new salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants (KNM). These standards apply to all new applications and extension requests submitted from 1 January 2026, calculated excluding 8% holiday allowance.

Salary Requirements for 2026

• Highly skilled migrant under 30 years: EUR 4,357
• Highly skilled migrant 30 years and older: EUR 5,942
• Highly skilled migrant (reduced threshold): EUR 3,122
• EU Blue Card: EUR 5,942
• EU Blue Card (reduced threshold): EUR 4,754

Application of New or Previous Requirements Depends on the Situation

• New application or extension? → the submission date determines which standards apply.

Even if work starts in 2026 but the initial application was submitted in 2025, the 2025 standards apply.

• Changing employer without extension? → the start date of the employment contract determines the applicable standards.

If the employer change request was submitted in 2025 but the contract starts 1 January 2026, the 2026 standards apply.

• Changing employer with extension? → the application submission date determines which standards apply.