Due to technological, generational and other aspects remote working has been here to stay. However, as an employer, approving an employee's request for working remotely from another international location can have severe implications.
Services
You want your attention to be on growing and developing your company. You require (financial) advice about issues such as: whether to take care of your...
-
Financial administration & outsourcing
Entrepreneurs who outsource financial administration reduce the number of administrative tasks and consequently have more time and space to focus on growth.
-
Financial insight
We help you turn financial data into valuable insights that support you in making well-founded decisions. In-depth analyses of your financial situation will help give you a better idea of where you stand and where the opportunities for growth lie, both in the short and long term.
-
Financial compliance
We make sure your company complies with financial legislation and regulations, with correct financial statements, tax reports and other obligations. From our global network, we support you in managing local and international tax risks.
Everyone – companies, entrepreneurs and individuals – has to deal with taxes. A complex system of payments and levies, tax regimes also offer opportunities for...
-
Impact House by Grant Thornton
Building sustainability and social impact. That sounds good. But how do you go about it in the complex world of stakeholders, regulations and frameworks and changing demands from clients and society? How do you deal with important issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss?
-
Business risk services
Minimize risk, maximize predictability, and execution Good insights help you look further ahead and adapt faster. Whether you require outsourced or co-procured internal audit services and expertise to address a specific technology, cyber or regulatory challenge, we provide a turnkey and reliable solution.
-
Cyber risk services
What should I be doing first if my data has been kidnapped? Have I taken the right precautions for protecting my data or am I putting too much effort into just one of the risks? And how do I quickly detect intruders on my network? Good questions! We help you to answer these questions.
-
Deal advisory
What will the net proceeds be after the sale? How do I optimise the selling price of my business or the price of one of my business activities?
-
Forensic & integrity services
Do you require a fact finding investigation to help assess irregularities? Is it necessary to ascertain facts for litigation purposes?
-
Valuations
Independent and objective valuations tailored for mergers, acquisitions, and legal matters.
Reliability of information. The way in which reliable information is produced. That is what assurance is all about. It is crucial for information to be...
-
Auditing of annual accounts
You are answerable to others, such as shareholders and other stakeholders, with regard to your financial affairs. Financial information must therefore be reliable. What is more, you want to know how far you are progressing towards achieving your goals and what risks may apply.
-
IFRS services
Financial reporting in accordance with IFRS is a complex matter. Nowadays, an increasing number of international companies are becoming aware of the rules. But how do you apply them in practice?
-
ISAE & SOC Reporting
Our ISAE & SOC Reporting services provide independent and objective reports on the design, implementation and operational effectiveness of controls at service organizations.
Do you have an ambitious international company? And do you want to stay ahead of the competition? Then you need to be able to rely on the best international...
-
National tax advice
Looking for tax advice in the Netherlands? We help business owners with tailor-made tax advice: from structure and compliance to innovation and sustainability.
-
International tax advice
Plan to do business abroad? Our international tax advice helps you with structure and compliance, as well as offering new opportunities. Strategic, practical, and future-oriented.
-
Private wealth services
Our Private Wealth specialists offer strategic and practical solutions. From tax advice to estate planning and financial scenarios, we make sure you make the right choices today, for tomorrow.
Proactive and pragmatic: that's how we work. How do I ensure that the agreements between our shareholders are clearly established? What are my rights and...
-
Corporate Law
From the general terms and conditions to the legal strategy, these matters need to be watertight. This provides assurance, and therefore peace of mind and room for growth. We will be pro-active and pragmatic in thinking along with you. We always like to look ahead and go the extra mile.
-
Employment Law
What obligations do you have with an employee on sick leave? How do you go about a reorganisation? As an entrepreneur, you want clear answers and practical solutions to your employment law questions. At Grant Thornton, we are there for you with clear advice, from contracts and terms of employment to complex matters such as dismissal or reorganisation.
-
Sustainable legal
At Grant Thornton, we help companies integrate sustainability into their business operations, with sustainable legal at the heart of our approach. We advise on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) legislation, and help draft sustainable contracts, implement HR policies, and carry out ESG due diligence in M&A transactions (Mergers and Acquisitions).
A strong HR policy is more than just an administrative item, as it drives a healthy and future-proof organisation.
-
HR Services
HR is not an aspect of secondary relevance, rather a strategic factor for success. Yet many organisations struggle with issues regarding personnel policy, absenteeism, terms of employment and legislation and regulations.
-
Payroll & wage tax
Payment of salaries is not a simple calculation. Laws and regulations constantly change, and mistakes can quickly cause employees to be dissatisfied or lead to tax risks.
-
Compensation and benefits
The labour market is changing rapidly. Employees want flexibility, a sense of purpose and a good mixture of financial and non-financial benefits.
-
Pension advisory services
Pension is more than an obligation. It is a strategic term of employment that touches upon your employer brand, financial scope and responsibility to provide for your employees.
-
Global mobility services
How can you build and evolve a smart global mobility strategy, with policies and processes addressing the complex challenges of managing an international workforce?
The International Business Report (IBR) is the world’s largest and most authoritative survey of mid-market businesses.
The building and real estate sector is facing a lot of challenges. Improving sustainability, innovation, but also transformation are important themes. By...
Family businesses occupy a unique position, in the Netherlands as well as worldwide. They are seen as a (stable) engine of the economy. This is characterized,...
The financial services sector is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing regulatory demands, technological advancements, and shifting client expectations.
The Netherlands is a real trading country, due to its location, infrastructure and the highly-educated population. The port of Rotterdam, the biggest port in...
Per November 2023 and June 2024, the Netherlands has implemented new changes to the EU Blue Card. There are 5 major changes to the previous EU Blue Card rules including (1) adjustments to the salary threshold, (2) the maximum validity of the permit itself, (3) the employee’s diploma and work experience requirements, (4) the IND’s decision terms, and lastly, (5) the IND’s available grounds of refusal.
Salary Threshold
The new salary threshold for the EU Blue Card was lowered to €5.331 gross per month, excluding holiday allowance. A new threshold was introduced for those who obtained a Master’s degree within 3 years of the EU Blue Card application. This requirement is €4.265 gross per month, excluding holiday allowance.
|
Old Threshold – EU Blue Card
|
New Threshold – EU Blue Card
|
Reduced Salary – EU Blue Card
|
|
€6.245/month (excl. holiday allowance)
|
€5.331/month (excl. holiday allowance)
|
€4.265/month (excl. holiday allowance)
|
Employment contract
Applying for an EU Blue Card requires a signed employment contract lasting at least 6 months. Previously, the duration of the contract had to be at least 12 months. Additionally, EU Blue Card holders employed for at least 2 years are now entitled to a 6-month search period for a new position if their employment has ended.
Qualifications
Prior to the changes, EU Blue Card holders had to show they had at least 3 years of higher education qualification. The new rules provide an exemption from this rule if the EU Blue Card holder has 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
Lead time
Under the adjusted rules, applications from Recognised Sponsors have a decision term of 30 days, as opposed to 90 days. The decision period remains 90 days for non-Recognised Sponsors.
Additional requirements
Lastly, additional grounds of refusal for the permit were added. An EU Blue Card can now be refused if the employer has been fined for not complying with labour law legislation. The EU Blue Card can also be refused if the employer was established to facilitate the entry of non-EU nationals, if the employer is or will be dissolved due to bankruptcy, and if the employer is not economically active.
Should you have any questions regarding the changes to the EU Blue Card, please contact our team at GT.
Related Insights
View more
Human Capital Services
Remote working: points of attention
|
10 min read
|
22 Apr 2025
Global mobility services
Salary update in 2025 for highly skilled migrants
In 2025 several important changes to the immigration and 30% ruling procedures come into play. We have outlined the most important aspects below.
Mobility Perspectives
Mobility Perspectives
Grant Thornton's Mobility Perspectives covers various aspects of international mobility, including salary standards for highly skilled migrants in 2024, IND fees for various applications, the 30% ruling for 2024 and changes to the European Blue Card, along with updates on the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukraine.