Are you an expat in the Netherlands, and having trouble keeping up with all the news and changes? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a summary of the most important changes expats can expect in 2025. The prices are going up, and so are the required salaries for visas and the 30% ruling. Let’s dive straight into it!

If you’d prefer to listen to these updates instead – you’ll find a full breakdown on our YouTube channel!

Minimum wage

The minimum hourly wage for anyone over the age of 21 will be increased to €14,06 (from €13,68 in 2024)

The Dutch government adjusts this amount twice a year – on January 1st and July 1st, so you might get another salary increase during the summer!

Health insurance

There are a few relevant changes to highlight when it comes to your health insurance. First of all, a quick reminder if you’re new here – if you’re a resident in the Netherlands, having at least the basic health insurance policy is mandatory! If you’re not insured, you could receive a fine from the government.

In 2025, the prices of the basic health insurance policy will be increased by €11/month on average, for the cheapest basic policy priced at €141/month.

The amount of your own risk (eigen risico) remains €385. As a reminder, the Dutch government plans to decrease this amount you have to pay out of pocket to €165 from next year onward.

And one last change to highlight here is that “restitutiepolis” will no longer be available! If you were paying an extra fee every month for a policy that allows you to choose your own healthcare provider (even if they’re not in your insurance company’s network) and having those costs reimbursed – this will no longer be an option as of this year.

Salary requirements for visas and the 30% ruling

If you’re starting a new job in the Netherlands and applying for a visa in 2025, the salary requirements have changed (and of course they are increase

To apply for a Highly Skilled Migrant visa, you’ll need to be making these gross amounts monthly (excluding the holiday allowance)

• 30 years and older – €5.688
• under 30 years – €4.171
• reduced criterion – €2.989
  Requirements will be similar for an EU Blue Card as well:
• General requirement – €5.688
• Dutch graduate – €4.551

After all the drama surrounding the 30% ruling in 2024, we’re happy to report nothing significant changes in 2025! You will still receive the regular 30% ruling tax perks (and not the 30-20-10% ruling as earlier announced) This tax perk will become the 27% tax ruling, but only from 2027!

In the meantime, the 2025 salary requirements for the 30% ruling are:

• 30 years and older – €46.660
• Under 30, with a master’s degree – €35.468

(these are annual salaries, including the holiday allowance)

Application fees for visas, Permanent Residency, and citizenship

To become a Dutch citizen via the naturalization process, you’ll have to pay slightly more in 2025. If you’re applying on your own, you’ll need to prepare €1.091 for the application fee. If you’re applying along with a partner, then you’ll be asked to pay €1.393 for both of you.

For a permanent residency application, you’ll need to pay €243.

Visa application fees are also slightly higher this year. You’ll have to pay the following amounts per visa:

• Verification against EU law – €81
• Family reunification/partner visa – €243
• Highly Skilled Migrant visa – €405
• EU blue card – €405
• Study visa – €243
• Orientation year visa – €243
  

Stricter checks for companies hiring freelancers

The Dutch government has finally decided to start enforcing their existing law against “false employment”! This means that there will be more frequent inspections and fines for companies that are using short-term contracts and freelancers for positions that should be filled by direct employees instead. If you’re a freelancer, you’ll want to dive into our full post explaining the changes and what you can do to stay compliant.