February brings big shifts in global mobility—from housing trends affecting expats in the Netherlands to rising salary benchmarks in Germany and new policies aimed at retaining international talent.
Germany raises the bar for EU Blue Card holders, increasing salary thresholds and making its job market even more competitive.
The Dutch rental market is changing, with short-stay contracts becoming the new norm for expats—what does this mean for employers?
The Netherlands rethinks its approach to international students, moving from restriction to retention—could this create a new talent pipeline?
Belgium is making big moves to attract global talent, with higher tax-free allowances and faster visa processing. And, EMG has been awarded the EcoVadis Silver Badge, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.
In today’s edition:
- Short-term housing is on the rise for expats
- Dutch government pushes to retain international students
- Belgium introduces major updates to its expat tax regime and visa policies
- Germany increases salary requirements for EU Blue Card applicants
- EMG Awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal for Sustainability Excellence
1. Short-term Housing is on the Rise for Expats
A new Dutch rental law, introduced on July 1, 2024, was meant to provide more housing security. Instead, it has driven a surge in short-stay rental contracts—favoring expats while sidelining local residents.
What changed?
- The law made permanent contracts the default, but loopholes allow landlords to prioritize short-stay housing for expats.
- Short-stay rentals are not subject to rent control, allowing landlords to set higher prices.
- Listings for “expats only” rentals have increased, creating concerns about accessibility for local tenants.
Why does this matter?
Employers may face higher housing costs for their international talent, while long-term rental options become harder to secure. Legal experts predict increased enforcement of rental laws in response.
Source: NL Times
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2. Dutch Parliament Pushes for Retaining International Talent
In a major shift, the Dutch Parliament has asked the government to create a plan of action to retain international students and skilled workers. This reflects growing recognition that foreign talent is crucial to the country’s economy.
The political parties VVD, NSC, and BBB have surprisingly supported this motion.
The plan would focus on keeping international graduates and skilled migrants in the Netherlands, rather than limiting their arrival. This could signal a more balanced approach to migration policies moving forward.
The government’s new stance aligns with the needs of many Dutch companies struggling with talent shortages. If implemented effectively, this plan could improve hiring pipelines and long-term retention strategies for international talent.
The Netherlands is at a crossroads—it can strengthen its position as a talent hub or risk losing international graduates to countries with more favorable residency pathways (like Germany).
Source: DUB
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3. Belgium introduces major updates to its expat tax regime and visa policies
Belgium has announced major changes to its expat tax regime and migration policies, aiming to attract and retain highly skilled international professionals.
Some of the new policies includes:
- Higher tax-free allowance: Expats can now benefit from a 35% tax exemption, up from 30%.
- Lower salary threshold: The minimum required salary drops from €75,000 to €70,000, making it easier for companies to hire internationally.
- No more benefit cap: The previous €90,000 limit has been removed, offering more financial advantages.
- Faster visa processing for skilled professionals in research, innovation, and tech.
What does this mean for companies in the Netherlands?
With Belgium making it easier and more attractive for highly skilled professionals to settle, competition for global talent is intensifying. If your company relies on international hires, now is the time to assess how policy changes across Europe could impact retention and recruitment.
Source: Brind&Bird
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4. Germany Increases EU Blue Card Salary Requirements for 2025
Germany has raised its minimum salary requirements for EU Blue Card applicants:
- General requirement: €48,300/year (6.6% increase from 2024).
- Bottleneck professions (STEM, healthcare, IT, construction): €43,759.80/year.
- Young professionals: Remain at €41,041.80/year.
Additionally, Germany has become a top destination for foreign talent—with a record number of professionals leaving Sweden for Germany due to higher salaries, more flexible visa options, and a stronger currency.
Germany’s pro-migration policies make it an even stronger competitor for international talent, while Sweden’s restrictive stance may push more workers toward other EU countries—including the Netherlands.
Sources: Schengen News & The Local
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5. EMG Awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal for Sustainability Excellence
We are proud to announce that EMG has been awarded the EcoVadis Silver Badge, recognising our commitment to ethical business practices, sustainability, and social responsibility.
EcoVadis is the world’s leading sustainability rating for businesses, evaluating companies across four key areas:
- Environment – Our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint.
- Labour & Human Rights – Our commitment to fair working conditions.
- Ethics – Transparent, responsible, and ethical business practices.
- Sustainable Procurement – Partnering with businesses that share our values.
This achievement reinforces our dedication to making a positive impact—not just for our clients and their employees, but for the world we all share.
As global mobility evolves, we remain committed to sustainable, ethical, and forward-thinking solutions that benefit both businesses and the professionals they relocate.
Have Questions?
The global mobility landscape in the Netherlands is shifting fast — but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Let’s review your mobility strategy and make sure your hiring, payroll, and relocation processes are future-proof.
