🇳🇱 Netherlands
Bike-friendly, English-fluent hub for tech and finance talent
Visa Options
- Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) Visa (Tied to employment (renewable)) — Gross salary ≥ €5,942/mo (age 30+) or ≥ €4,357/mo (under 30), 2026 thresholds
- EU Blue Card (1 year (renewable)) — Job offer, recognized degree, salary above national threshold
- DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) (2 years (renewable)) — US citizens only, ~€4,500 minimum business investment
- Self-Employed / Entrepreneur Visa (2 years (renewable)) — Points-based assessment of business plan and economic value
Tax Overview
- Income Tax (Box 1): ~36.97% – 49.5% (progressive)
- 30% Ruling: Up to 30% of gross salary tax-free for eligible incoming employees, for up to 5 years
- Corporate Tax: 19% (up to €200k profit) / 25.8% (above)
- VAT: 21%
Cost of Living
- Comfortable living (single, typical): €1,800 – €2,700/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Amsterdam): €1,500 – €2,100/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Rotterdam/Utrecht): €1,100 – €1,500/mo
- Groceries: €250 – €350/mo
- Utilities: €150 – €250/mo
- Dining out: €15 – €30/meal
- Public transport: €100/mo pass
Relocation Checklist
- Register with the municipality (BRP) to receive a BSN
- Open a Dutch bank account
- Arrange mandatory Dutch health insurance within 4 months of registering
- Apply for the 30% ruling through your employer (if eligible)
- Secure a housing contract — start early in the competitive market
- Collect your residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) from IND
- Register for DigiD (digital government ID)
- Set up utilities and Dutch bank direct debits