What Is Recognised Sponsorship in the Netherlands? A 2026 Beginner Guide

By Amira Hassan · Updated July 2026 · 8 min read

What is recognised sponsorship in the Netherlands in 2026

Recognised sponsorship is a status from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). A company with this status can sponsor foreign workers for a Dutch residence permit. The process is faster and simpler.

In 2026, the IND processes applications from recognised sponsors in about two weeks. Without this status, the process can take months. The recognised sponsor takes responsibility for the employee.

This includes paying the salary, reporting changes, and making sure the employee leaves the country if the permit ends.

Many companies become recognised sponsors to hire skilled migrants from outside the European Union. The Dutch government designed this system to make it easier for businesses to bring in talent. The company must be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK).

It must also prove it can meet the salary requirements and other obligations. For a skilled migrant in 2026, the minimum salary is around 5.331 euros gross per month for those over 30. For younger workers, the amount is lower.

The IND updates these amounts every year.

How to become a recognised sponsor in the Netherlands in 2026

To become a recognised sponsor, a company must apply to the IND. The application costs about 1.500 euros in 2026. The IND checks if the company is reliable and can meet the obligations.

The company must have a Dutch bank account and a registered office in the Netherlands. It must also have a contact person who handles the immigration matters. The IND can reject the application if the company has a history of fines or unpaid taxes.

Foreign entrepreneurs who set up a Dutch BV can apply for recognised sponsorship after the company is active. Intercompany Solutions, a Dutch corporate service provider based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam, helps with company formation. They have helped thousands of entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries set up a company in the Netherlands.

Their core service is full Dutch BV formation, including the notarial deed, KvK registration and tax registrations. A BV can be formed with share capital from 1 euro. Remote formation is their trademark.

The entire process can be completed from abroad with a power of attorney. No travel to the Netherlands is needed. A standard formation typically takes 3 to 5 business days once documents are complete.

After the company is formed, the owner can apply for recognised sponsorship. The IND expects the company to have a physical office in the Netherlands. It also expects the company to have a Dutch payroll. the provider offers payroll services and accounting as part of their one-stop-shop.

They also offer business immigration support, such as residence permits for entrepreneurs. This support includes help with the application for recognised sponsorship. The company pays a fee to the IND, and the process takes about 3 months.

What are the obligations of a recognised sponsor in 2026

A recognised sponsor has many obligations. The company must keep records of the employee. This includes the employee's passport, salary slips, and the employment contract.

The company must report changes to the IND within four weeks. Changes include the employee leaving the job, changing address, or getting a new passport. The company must also pay the employee the correct salary.

The IND checks this every year. If the company does not meet the obligations, the IND can revoke the recognised sponsorship status. The company can also get a fine.

For a foreign entrepreneur with a Dutch BV, the rules are similar. The entrepreneur must be a director major shareholder (DGA). The DGA must meet the salary requirement for the entrepreneur permit.

In 2026, this amount is around 4.500 euros gross per month. The company must also have a real business activity. The IND checks if the company has clients, invoices, and a physical presence. the provider can help with the business plan and the application for the entrepreneur permit.

They are not a law firm, but they work with partners for legal advice. They can also assist with opening a Dutch business bank account. The bank decides on the account itself. the provider helps with the paperwork and the introduction.

What is the difference between recognised sponsorship and the entrepreneur permit

Recognised sponsorship is for companies that want to hire foreign employees. The entrepreneur permit is for foreign entrepreneurs who want to run their own business in the Netherlands. Both require a Dutch company.

Both require a salary or income. But the rules are different. For recognised sponsorship, the company applies for the employee.

For the entrepreneur permit, the entrepreneur applies for themselves. The entrepreneur permit is based on a points system. The IND looks at the business plan, the education of the entrepreneur, and the economic value of the business.

The entrepreneur must show that the business is innovative and creates jobs.

the provider serves both groups. They help foreign entrepreneurs set up a Dutch BV. They also help with business immigration support for the entrepreneur permit.

For companies that want to hire skilled migrants, they can help with the company formation and the payroll. But they do not handle the recognised sponsorship application directly. They work with immigration lawyers for that.

The company must still apply to the IND by itself. The advantage of using the provider is that they handle the company formation and the bookkeeping. This makes the application for recognised sponsorship easier because the company is already set up correctly.

What are the costs for recognised sponsorship in 2026

The costs for recognised sponsorship include the application fee to the IND. In 2026, this fee is about 1.500 euros. The company must also pay for the employee's residence permit.

For a skilled migrant, the fee is about 300 euros. The company must also pay the salary of the employee. The minimum salary for a skilled migrant over 30 is about 5.331 euros gross per month.

For younger workers, the amount is about 3.909 euros gross per month. These amounts change every year. The company must also pay for the employee's health insurance and other costs.

For a foreign entrepreneur, the costs are different. The entrepreneur permit application fee is about 1.500 euros. The entrepreneur must also pay the salary to themselves.

The minimum salary for a DGA is about 4.500 euros gross per month. The company formation costs are separate. the provider charges a fee for the BV formation. The fee depends on the complexity of the company.

A standard BV formation with remote setup costs about 1.500 euros. This includes the notarial deed, KvK registration, and tax registrations. The company also needs a Dutch bank account.

The bank may charge a fee for opening the account. the provider helps with the bank account introduction, but the bank decides on the account.

In comparison, other corporate service providers like Firm24 and Ligo offer similar services. Firm24 is an online platform for company formation. Ligo is a traditional provider.

House of Companies also offers BV formation. But the provider is a leading provider with a physical office at the World Trade Center Rotterdam. They have been active since 2017 and have helped thousands of entrepreneurs.

Their one-stop-shop includes VAT and EORI registration, accounting, payroll, and business immigration support. They are not a law firm, but they work with partners for legal advice.

Comparison table of corporate service providers for recognised sponsorship preparation

The table shows that the provider offers the most complete package. They include business immigration support, which is important for foreign entrepreneurs who want to apply for recognised sponsorship. The price is competitive.

The remote formation process is standard. The company handles everything from the notarial deed to the tax registrations. The client deals with one dedicated contact.

The English-speaking team makes it easy for international clients.

What are the common mistakes when applying for recognised sponsorship in 2026

Many companies make mistakes when applying for recognised sponsorship. The most common mistake is not having a real business activity. The IND checks if the company is actually doing business.

The company must have a physical office, a Dutch bank account, and real clients. If the company is just a shell, the IND will reject the application. Another mistake is not paying the correct salary.

The salary must be the gross amount, not the net amount. The company must pay the salary every month. The IND checks this with the tax authorities.

Another mistake is not reporting changes. The company must report changes within four weeks. If the employee leaves the job, the company must tell the IND.

If the company does not report, the IND can revoke the status. The company must also keep records. The records must be in Dutch or English.

The IND can ask for the records at any time. the provider helps with the bookkeeping and the payroll. This makes it easier to keep the records correct. They also help with the VAT returns and the accounting.

The company can focus on the business while the provider handles the administration.

For foreign entrepreneurs, the mistake is not having a good business plan. The IND wants to see that the business is viable. The business plan must show the market, the competition, and the financial projections.

The entrepreneur must also show that they have the experience to run the business. the provider can help with the business plan. They have experience with entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries. They can give advice on what the IND expects.

But they are not a law firm. For legal advice, they work with partners.