Netherlands Advances EU Blue Card Implementation as Parliament Reviews Key Legislation
- Editorial Team
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
THE HAGUE, September 3, 2026 — The Dutch parliament is actively reviewing legislation to implement the recast EU Blue Card Directive (Directive (EU) 2021/1883), a key step toward attracting highly qualified third‑country nationals to the Netherlands. The legislative process follows a recognition that the labour market test initially added to the proposal was unworkable, prompting a “novelle” (amending bill) to remove it.
The bill, formally titled “Wijziging van het voorstel van wet tot Wijziging van de Vreemdelingenwet 2000 in verband met de implementatie van richtlijn (EU) 2021/1883” (Amendment to the proposal for an Act amending the Aliens Act 2000 in connection with the implementation of Directive (EU) 2021/1883), is currently before the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives).
Why the Labour Market Test Was Scrapped
The original bill, passed by the Tweede Kamer on 27 May 2025, included an amendment introducing a mandatory labour market test. However, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) deemed the test unworkable.
The test would have required UWV to assess whether suitable candidates were already available in the Netherlands, the EU, or among third‑country nationals already residing and authorised to work in the Member State.
Key obstacle: UWV could not complete this assessment within the statutory 30‑day decision period, and the test would place a disproportionate burden on the agency.
Solution: The novelle removes the labour market test from Article 15a of the Aliens Act 2000. The Council of State reviewed the proposal on 3 June 2026 and raised no objections, advising that it be submitted to the Tweede Kamer. The EU directive does not oblige Member States to apply a labour market test.
2026 Salary Thresholds for the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly skilled non‑EU/EEA nationals. The minimum gross monthly salary thresholds for 2026 (excluding 8% holiday allowance) are:
Applicant Category | Gross Monthly Salary (excl. 8% holiday allowance) |
EU Blue Card holders (regardless of age) | €5,942 |
EU Blue Card holders who graduated from a higher education institution less than three years ago | €4,754 |
Key Dates in the Legislative Process
Date | Event |
27 May 2025 | Tweede Kamer passes original bill (including labour market test) |
5 June 2025 | Eerste Kamer requests an implementation test |
11 July 2025 | Government requests extension to prepare the test |
9 January 2026 | Internal note confirms UWV and IND deem the bill unworkable |
11 March 2026 | Government announces to Parliament it will remove the labour market test |
24 June 2026 | Novelle (amending bill) submitted |
3 June 2026 | Council of State issues advisory opinion (no objections) |
17 June 2026 | Final report on the novelle published |
10 September 2026 | Parliamentary committee debate on asylum and migration policy scheduled |
September 2026 | Further parliamentary debate expected |
Read Also
Parliamentary Debate on Migration Policy
A committee debate on asylum and migration policy is scheduled for 10 September 2026 in the Tweede Kamer. While the EU Blue Card legislation may be discussed, the debate is part of broader deliberations on the Netherlands’ migration framework.
A debate on the EU Blue Card novelle itself has not yet been scheduled. The bill is in the “written preparation” phase and remains on the parliamentary agenda. The Eerste Kamer has held the original bill pending review of the novelle.
Temporary Border Controls Extended Until 30 September 2026
The Netherlands has prolonged internal border controls at its land borders with Belgium and Germany, and on intra‑Schengen air borders. The controls, initially introduced on 9 December 2024, have been extended multiple times and are now in place until 30 September 2026 at the latest.
Justification: “continuous serious threat to public policy caused by high levels of asylum applications, irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and secondary movements”.
The government expects to replace these controls with a renewed national legal framework for police checks (mobile security monitoring checks) before autumn 2026
For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/netherland
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