Working in Netherlands with Another EU Residence Permit: Rules for Indians

The IND is the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, the Dutch authority that decides residence permits. This page is for Indian passport holders already living in Germany, France, Ireland or another EU state who have a Dutch job offer. The rules below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026.

Can your current EU permit be used to work in the Netherlands?

No. The IND states plainly that you cannot live in the Netherlands on an EU long-term resident permit issued by another EU country. You must apply for a Dutch residence permit for a specific purpose, such as work, study or family. The IND's summary is broader still: a residence permit from another EU country does not let you live in the Netherlands.

What your existing permit can change is how hard the Dutch application is. That depends on which type you hold.

Which rules apply to your type of EU permit?

The fee and timing rows come from the IND's long-term EU residency page and its fee and decision-period tables. IND fees change every 1 January, are paid when the application is filed, and are not refunded if the permit is refused.

What does the 12-month TWV rule mean in practice?

A TWV is a work permit that the employer obtains from UWV, the Dutch employee insurance agency. Without long-term resident status, a single-permit job requires UWV to check that no suitable worker could be found in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe.

As an EU long-term resident, the TWV requirement lasts only for your first 12 months of Dutch employment. After that period, the employer no longer needs a TWV for you. A highly skilled migrant hire, made through a recognised sponsor, does not need a separate TWV at all.

How much must the Dutch job pay in 2026?

Your permit history does not lower the salary bar. These IND figures took effect on 1 January 2026, with the general income requirement indexed on 1 July 2026. All are gross monthly amounts excluding holiday allowance.

For the Blue Card, the job must be highly qualified and last at least 6 months. You need a higher-education diploma from a programme of at least 3 years, or at least 5 years of relevant experience at that level. The current amounts are on the IND's required amounts page.

What about a short project of up to 90 days?

Short Dutch assignments are not exempt. The IND notes that work of up to 90 days in the Netherlands normally needs a TWV from UWV, applied for by the employer. This applies even if you are a long-term resident elsewhere in the EU. Do not start a short-term client project in Amsterdam or Rotterdam on the assumption that your other EU permit covers it.

How does the application actually run?

1. Confirm your status. Check whether your current card says EU long-term resident, EU Blue Card or an ordinary permit. The answer decides your fee and paperwork.
2. Match the job to a route. A highly skilled migrant application needs an employer listed in the IND's public register of recognised sponsors. A Blue Card or single permit employer does not have to be a recognised sponsor, though recognised sponsors get faster Blue Card decisions.
3. Employer files with the IND. For a highly skilled migrant, the employer files in writing or online through the Business Portal and pays the fee.
4. Wait for the decision. The legal period is 90 days for a highly skilled migrant, which can be extended by 30 days for a first application. With a recognised sponsor and a complete file, the IND aims to decide within 2 weeks.
5. Register after arrival. Collect the residence permit at an IND desk, register at the town hall and arrange Dutch health insurance.

Mistakes Indian applicants make with this route

• Moving to the Netherlands first and applying later. Living there on another EU permit is not allowed.
• Paying EUR 423.00 when long-term resident status qualifies you for EUR 254.00 on most work permits.
• Assuming a startup employer can file a highly skilled migrant application. Sponsor recognition costs the employer EUR 5,080.00 (EUR 2,539.00 for businesses with no more than 50 persons) and has a legal decision period of 3 months.
• Counting overtime, tips or payment in kind towards the salary threshold. The IND excludes them.

If you are still in India and applying from scratch, start with our Netherlands visa guide for Indians, which covers the MVV collection in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

For visits that need a short-stay file, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters. Packages run from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the IND fee refunded if my Dutch residence permit is refused?

No. The IND fee is paid when the application is submitted and is not refunded if the permit is refused. IND fees also change every 1 January, so check the current fee table before your employer files.

How fast does the IND decide a Blue Card for someone moving from another EU country?

The IND decides within 30 days for EU Blue Card holders moving under long-term mobility. The same 30-day period applies when a recognised sponsor files. Other Blue Card applications have a 90-day period.

Do I need to pass a Dutch language test to work as a highly skilled migrant?

The IND's listed requirements for the highly skilled migrant permit do not include a Dutch-language test. Civic integration abroad applies in specific cases, such as certain religious or philosophical-organisation roles under the single permit.

Can I study in the Netherlands on my study permit from another EU country?

Partly. Under intra-EU mobility, students with a study permit from another EU state may follow part of their programme at a Dutch higher-education institution for up to 360 days without a Dutch residence permit. A full Dutch degree needs a Dutch student permit.