Netherlands Work Visa to Permanent Residence Cost 2026

Receiving a temporary work visa to a permanent residence (PR) is a significant milestone of the expatriate life in the Netherlands.1 In 2026, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has introduced new levies and stricter income criteria that should be overcome by every applicant.

You could be on a Highly Skilled Migrant visa (HSM) or EU Blue Card or you could be on a Self-Employed permit but to obtain long-term security, the first step is to know the total cost of stay. This guide dis-aggregates all the money you will put into the euro, since IND “Leger” to the invisible expenses of civic integration.

The Cost of Eligibility

To apply to permanent residence, you need a Civic Integration Diploma.6 In 2026, most work visa holders will be required to be on the B1 Route, with many having the previous A2 instead.

Examination Costs (DUO): All five major parts of the exam (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Knowledge of Dutch Society) cost a little over fifty dollars per section, so in total 250.7.
Language Courses: This is optional although the majority of expats enroll in courses in order to attain the B1 level. Spend between E 500 and E 1500 on a full course package.
Participation Statement (PVT): This is compulsory and may require up to 150 euro to non-asylum seekers and is often organized by your local municipality.

Sustainable Income Requirements (SV-loon)

In order to claim permanent residence, you will need to demonstrate that your income is sufficient and sustainable.1, IND does not only consider the gross salary; they actually examine your Social Security Wage (SV-loon).10

2026 Income Thresholds (Monthly):

Spouses: €2,477.95 (Gross SV-wage including holiday allowance).
Single Parents: €1,734.57 (Gross SV-wage incl.11 holiday allowance).
Income: You can be treated as having a sustainable income provided that your contract has a term of at least 12 months when you apply and that is a flexible or short-term contract12:the IND might consider taking an average of your earnings over a period of 3 years.

Transitioning from HSM

Lots of expats cannot decide whether to apply to Permanent Residence or Dutch Citizenship.14 In 2026, the cost contrast will be large:

Permanent Residence: €254 (Retain original nationality).15
Naturalization (Citizenship):€1,139 (Frequently involves renunciation of your original nationality).

To the majority, PR is an intermediary measure. It provides you with a non-provisional purpose of stay, that is, you are not bound to a particular employer or a so-called recognized sponsor anymore.17 In case of your unemployment, you can still stay in the Netherlands.

Summary of Ancillary Costs

In addition to the “sticker price the following semantically related costs will be necessary:

BRP Extracts: Approximately 1520 of your local Tenement.
Documents Legalization: In case you require to provide a birth certificate that was not registered earlier, the cost of an Apostle may be about 50-150.
New Passport Photos: 15-25 (have to be of high standards of Dutch RDW standards).

FAQs

What is the contrast between the status of National Permanent Residence and the EU Long-Term Resident?

Though the two permits will enable you to remain in the Netherlands indefinitely, the EU Long-Term Resident status (EC permit) will leave you much more easily able to immigrate and work in other EU-member states. The IND will normally evaluate you on the EU status in the year 2026; in case you fail to meet the specified requirements (such as counting your years of study in a particular manner), they will automatically examine your entitlement to the National Permanent Residence permit.

Are my years as a student going to count in the 5 years requirement?

In case of a National Permanent Residence permit, time under a student visa is counted 100%. In the case of the EU Long-Term Resident status, however, 50 of the student years is counted. Having taken 4-years of study and 1 of work, you would be eligible to National PR (5 years total) but not yet to be an EU (only 3 of the years are counted).

I am a highly skilled Migrant (HSM). Am I not subject to the Civic Integration Exam?

When you were applying to obtain your work visa, you were not required to take the test, and when you are applying to obtain Permanent Residence, you are not also required to take the test. In order to be a PR in 2026, you will need a Civic Integration Diploma. There are certain exemptions on people with certain Dutch degrees or people who have attained Dutch retirement age.

Final Thought

The Netherlands Work Visa to Permanent Residence in 2026 is not just a piece of paperwork, but it is a monetary investment in your life in the Low Countries. With an approximate budget of around 700 to 1200 Euros (depending on the choice of language school), it is possible to transfer a temporary permit to an indefinite stay.

Make sure you do not have residence gaps within your 5 year history and that your SV-loon is comparable to the 2026 thresholds so that your approval will be first-time.

Disclaimer:

This paper is informative and educational. It is recommended that the readers may check the information with the credible sources like the official IND site or a registered Dutch immigration lawyer and only then make their decisions.