IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Dutch government announced it would ease its quarantine requirements for certain travelers from “high-risk areas.”

Key Points:

  • Beginning Feb. 2, travelers from “high-risk areas” who have received a COVID-19 booster shot within seven days of entering the Netherlands will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival.
  • Travelers coming from “very-high risk areas” where there is a variant of concern must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, even with a booster shot. Quarantines can be shortened if a traveler tests negative on the fifth day after arrival.
  • Individuals can use the Quarantine Check for Travelers to find out what requirements are applicable.

Additional Information: More information regarding the Netherlands entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Dutch government has added the U.S. to its “very high-risk country list,” increasing entry requirements for U.S. travelers.

Key Points:

  • Individuals who do not live in the Netherlands and are traveling from a very high-risk country without a “variant of concern” must:
    • Be fully vaccinated.
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative rapid test taken within 24 hours of departure.
    • Quarantine for ten days upon arrival regardless of vaccination status. Quarantines can be shortened if travelers test negative on day five after arrival.
    • Complete a health declaration form if traveling by air.
  • Individuals who live in the Netherlands and have visited a very high-risk country without a variant of concern must:
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative rapid test taken within 24 hours of departure.
    • Must self-quarantine for ten days unless an exemption is met. Quarantines can be shortened if travelers take a test on day five of arrival.
    • Complete a health declaration form if traveling by air.

Additional Information: More information regarding the Netherlands entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

New minimum wages for permit holders will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Key Points:

  • The national monthly minimum wage for highly skilled migrants and key personnel intra-corporate transferees who are 30 and older will be increased to 4,840 EUR.
  • Highly skilled migrants and key personnel intra-corporate transferees who are younger than 30 must be paid at least 3,549 EUR.
  • Foreign nationals who have graduated in the Netherlands must be paid at least 2,543 EUR.
  • Blue Card holders must be paid at least 5,670 EUR.

Additional Information: The minimum salary requirements for highly skilled migrants and intra-corporate transferees exclude an 8% mandatory holiday allowance.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account when planning their 2022 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Dutch government implemented new entry rules for those traveling to the Netherlands from outside the EU and Schengen Area.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 22, travelers from outside the EU and Schengen Area must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure or antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure.
  • As of Dec. 22, travelers from very high-risk areas, regardless of their vaccination status, must undergo a mandatory self-quarantine for 10 days.
    • Individuals can shorten the quarantine by testing negative on the fifth day of quarantine.
  • Exceptions to the mandatory quarantine and testing requirements remain in place and can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The Dutch government is increasing entry rules and health protocols as the virus situation evolves. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Immigration Netherlands (IND) has reminded U.K. nationals that the Brexit application window will be closing on Sept. 30.

Key Points:

  • The deadline for U.K. nationals to apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit is Sept. 30.
    • Individuals who do not apply for a permit by the deadline will no longer have legal residency status.
  • IND will continue to process and approve applications received after Sept. 30 until Oct. 1, 2022.
  • Applications may be submitted for temporary residence here and permanent residence here.

Additional Information: Individuals who lose legal residency status will no longer be insured, receive social benefits, be able to continue studies or  take out a mortgage.

BAL Analysis: U.K. nationals who have not yet applied for residency status under the Withdrawal Agreement and intend to stay in the Netherlands should apply immediately to avoid negative repercussions.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Dutch Ministry of Health recently announced that it would no longer require fully vaccinated travelers from high-risk areas to self-quarantine upon arrival in the coming week.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Sept. 22, fully vaccinated travelers from the U.K., the U.S. and other high-risk areas no longer have to self-quarantine when entering the Netherlands.
  • Individuals planning travel to the Netherlands should use this website to know what the requirements are for traveling to the country.
  • A full list of very high-risk, high-risk and safe countries can be found here.

Additional Information: All travelers over the age of 12 who arrive by air must complete and carry a health declaration form before arrival.

BAL Analysis: The Dutch government is easing travel restrictions and health protocols as the virus situation improves in the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment recently updated the required income amounts needed for family reunification applications in the Netherlands.

Key Points:

  • From July 1 to Dec. 31, the minimum income needed to bring a spouse or partner to the Netherlands is:
    • €1,701.00 per month without holiday allowance.
    • €1,837.08 per month with holiday allowance.
  • From July 1 to Dec. 31, the minimum income needed to join a single individual is:
    • €1,190.70 per month without holiday allowance.
    • €1,285.96 per month with holiday allowance.

Additional Information: The income amounts considered by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) as adequate financial resources are updated every six months. More information on income requirements for specific applications can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The new income thresholds listed above only apply to family reunification applications. Bringing dependents under employment-based applications will remain unaffected by the new standard income thresholds.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Dutch government launched an essential start-up personnel permit on June 1 for highly skilled non-EU nationals working at a start-up company.

The requirements include: 

  • The employee must work for and be paid by an innovative, scalable, start-up company.
  • The hiring company can only have a maximum of 15 employees.
  • The company can employ no more than five non-EU nationals with the residence permit.
  • The non-EU national must be paid at least equal to the reduced salary requirement for highly skilled foreign workers. The reduced salary requirement is set at €2,497.
  • The company must offer the employee at least one percent in stock options, depository receipts for shares or shares without voting rights.

Additional Information: A start-up will be deemed innovative if they are creating an original product or service for the Netherlands. Start-ups, facilitators or non-EU nationals can apply for the residence permit at the Immigration and Naturalization Service office. Applicants must meet the set of general conditions to meet eligibility requirements. The permit is open to applications from June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2025.

BAL Analysis: The Dutch government is creating a new pathway for start-up companies to hire international workers. Employers interested in the program are encouraged to work closely with their immigration provider to determine their best options to meet their hiring needs.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Netherlands government has extended the Brexit application deadline for U.K. nationals and their family members who are residents of the Netherlands.

Key Points:

  • U.K. nationals who lived in the Netherlands before Jan. 1, 2021, can now apply for a Brexit pass until Oct. 1.
  • The deadline was extended for an additional three months because more than 3,000 U.K. nationals living in the Netherlands have yet to apply for a residence permit.
  • The application can be submitted online via the Netherlands’ special Brexit website here.

Background: There were roughly 45,000 U.K. nationals living in the Netherlands who were required to obtain a residence permit because of Brexit. The Netherlands extended the deadline to investigate why 3,000 registered U.K. nationals have not applied for the pass. Officials said that it could be that some of these people have left the Netherlands. Those who remain in the Netherlands who have not yet applied for the permit will be encouraged to do so. Officials said that of the U.K. nationals who have applied for the permit, 99 percent have been approved.

BAL Analysis: U.K. nationals are encouraged to apply for the Brexit pass in order to retain authorized residency in the Netherlands.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

Dutch authorities have provided details on the steps employers must take when pay for a highly skilled migrant drops below the required salary minimum because the migrant is on leave or participating in a strike.

In the Netherlands, Highly Skilled Migrant permit holders can drop below required salary minimums without adverse impacts to their immigration status if they make use of statutory leave, or their right to strike, on the condition that the employer provides notice of the drop in salary in time to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

In its recent newsletter, the IND confirmed that this applies to the following types of leave that are specified in the Dutch Work and Care Act (Wet Arbeid en Zorg or WAZO):

  • Maternity leave.
  • Parental leave.
  • Adoption and foster care leave.
  • Additional maternity / paternity leave.
  • Short- or long-term care leave

The conditions that must be met when an employee makes use of one of the leaves listed above are:

  • The employer must notify the IND of the statutory paid or unpaid leave. The employer must include information about the impact the leave will have on the highly skilled migrant’s pay.
  • The employer must notify the IND using the IND’s business portal or by the notification form for employment-related residence purposes (recognized sponsor).
  • The IND must receive this notice no more than four weeks from the start of the leave or the strike.

In addition, for leave under the Dutch Work and Care Act, the highly skilled migrant and employer must be able to demonstrate that the migrant is entitled to paid or unpaid leave. In cases involving care leave, the employer and/or migrant must be able to show that the care is necessary. Employers must document the employee’s leave, keep this documentation in their records and be able to produce the records if requested by the IND.

The IND also confirmed in its newsletter that pay for highly skilled migrants can drop below the required salary minimum if the highly skilled migrant exercises his or her right to strike. In such cases, there will be no adverse impacts on residence status on the condition that the employer provides notice of participation in the strike and the impact on the employee’s salary within four weeks. This notice must be provided through the business portal or the required notification form.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should be sure they have the internal procedures in place to meet the conditions listed above. Employers must be sure to document highly skilled migrants’ leave properly and provide records if requested. Deloitte is able to assist employers as needed.

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