Sharp Decline in Immigrants and Expats Arriving in the Netherlands

Key Takeaways

• In 2024, 316,000 immigrants arrived in the Netherlands, a 19,000 drop from 2023.
• Highly skilled migrant arrivals declined 26% in 2024 to 16,000, continuing a multi-year drop.
• New Dutch asylum laws limit residence permits, restrict family reunification, and speed up procedures.

Fewer Immigrants and Expats Arriving in the Netherlands: What’s Behind the Decline and What It Means

A sharp drop in immigration is reshaping the Netherlands 🇳🇱, with the latest figures showing fewer newcomers—especially highly skilled migrants and expats—choosing the country. This trend, which started in 2023 and has continued into 2024 and early 2025, is the result of new government policies, changing economic conditions, and broader shifts across Europe. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for immigrants, employers, and Dutch society.

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

In 2024, 316,000 immigrants arrived in the Netherlands 🇳🇱, a drop of 19,000 compared to 2023. This is the second year in a row that immigration numbers have fallen. The decline is especially steep among highly skilled migrants—people who come to the Netherlands 🇳🇱 to fill jobs that require special training or education, often in fields like IT and technology. Only about 16,000 highly skilled migrants came in 2024, which is 26% fewer than in 2023 and 39% fewer than in 2022. The number of expats—people who move for work, often with their families—has also dropped sharply.

The Dutch government, led by a right-wing coalition, has made it a priority to reduce the number of people moving to the Netherlands 🇳🇱 for work, study, or asylum. New laws and rules have made it harder for both skilled workers and asylum seekers to settle in the country. These changes are happening even as many Dutch employers and economists warn that the country needs more foreign workers to fill job gaps and support an aging population.

The Numbers: Immigration Trends and Key Data

Let’s look at the numbers to see how things have changed:

• Total Immigration: In 2022, 403,108 people moved to the Netherlands 🇳🇱. In 2023, that number fell to 335,668. In 2024, it dropped again to 316,000.
• Highly Skilled Migrants: About 26,000+ in 2022, 21,600 in 2023, and just 16,000 in 2024.
• Net Migration from EU Countries: In the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, net migration from EU countries was 9,000. In Q1 2024, it was 6,000. By Q1 2025, it had fallen to just 3,000.
• Expat Centre Usage: International arrival centres, which help highly skilled migrants and their families settle in, saw usage drop from 33,000 in 2023 to just over 24,400 in 2024.

Population Growth

Despite the drop in newcomers, the Dutch population is still growing, but at a slower pace. In Q1 2025, the population grew by nearly 21,000, similar to the growth in Q1 2024. The total population is now just over 18 million.

Why Are Fewer Immigrants Coming?

Several factors are driving the decline in immigration to the Netherlands 🇳🇱:

1. Stricter Government Policies: The Dutch government has introduced new rules to make it harder for people to move to the country for work, study, or asylum. These include higher requirements for highly skilled migrants, shorter permits for asylum seekers, and tougher rules for family reunification.
2. Economic Uncertainty: Global economic changes and uncertainty have made some people less likely to move abroad for work.
3. European Trends: Other European countries are also tightening their migration rules, making it harder for people to move within the EU.
4. Less Welcoming Environment: Some potential immigrants and expats may feel less welcome due to the political climate and public debate around migration.

Government Policy Changes: What’s New?

The Dutch government’s approach to immigration has changed a lot in the past two years. Here are some of the main changes:

• Asylum Emergency Measures Act (March 2025):
  • No More Permanent Residence for Asylum Seekers: Asylum seekers can no longer get permanent residence permits.
  • Shorter Permits: Asylum permits are now valid for just three years, instead of longer periods.
  • Stricter Family Reunification: It’s now harder for asylum seekers to bring family members to the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
  • Faster Procedures: The government has made the asylum process quicker, but also more selective.
  • More Reasons to Declare Someone Undesirable: The law now allows the government to declare more people “undesirable” and remove them from the country.
• New Services and Fees (2025):
  • One-Stop Shop for Highly Skilled Migrants: In Zeeland, a new centre lets highly skilled migrants and their families register, get their residence documents, and receive practical information all in one place.
  • Digital Applications for Employers: Employers can now submit digital applications to become recognized sponsors for labor migration. This is meant to make the process easier and faster.

For more details on these changes and how they affect you, visit the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the official government website for immigration in the Netherlands 🇳🇱.

How Do These Changes Affect Different Groups?

The new policies and trends have different effects on various groups:

Highly Skilled Migrants and Expats

• Fewer Opportunities: With stricter rules and fewer visas being granted, it’s harder for highly skilled migrants to move to the Netherlands 🇳🇱. This is especially true for people from India, who used to make up a large share of skilled IT and tech workers.
• Less Support: The drop in expat centre usage means fewer people are using services designed to help them settle in.
• Family Impact: Stricter family reunification rules make it harder for migrants to bring their loved ones.

Employers

• Workforce Shortages: Many Dutch employers, especially in IT and technology, rely on highly skilled migrants to fill job gaps. The decline in arrivals is making it harder to find the right people.
• Economic Concerns: Economists warn that fewer skilled workers could slow down economic growth and make it harder for the Netherlands 🇳🇱 to stay competitive.
• Aging Population: With fewer young workers coming in, the country’s aging population could put more pressure on social services and the economy.

Asylum Seekers

• Harder to Stay: The new asylum rules mean it’s more difficult to get permanent residency or bring family members to the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
• Shorter Permits: Asylum seekers now get only three-year permits, making their future less certain.
• Faster Decisions, More Rejections: The government is making decisions more quickly, but also turning away more people.

International Students

• Tougher Environment: Stricter migration policies and a less welcoming atmosphere may make the Netherlands 🇳🇱 less attractive to international students, who often become skilled workers after graduation.

Step-by-Step: How to Move as a Highly Skilled Migrant in 2025

If you’re still interested in moving to the Netherlands 🇳🇱 as a highly skilled migrant, here’s how the process works, especially in the Zeeland region where a new pilot program is in place:

1. Register at the Municipal Office in Goes (Zeeland): This is your first stop after arriving in the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
2. Get Your Citizen Service Number (BSN): This number is needed for everything from opening a bank account to getting health insurance.
3. Collect Residence Documents: You’ll receive your official residence card and other important documents.
4. Receive Practical Information: The centre will give you information about living and working in the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
5. Family Members Can Register Together: If you’re moving with your family, you can all register at the same time.

For Employers: How to Become a Recognized Sponsor

From the first quarter of 2025, employers can apply digitally to become recognized sponsors for labor migration. This means they can hire highly skilled migrants more easily. The application form is available in Dutch on the official IND website.

Why Is the Government Doing This?

The Dutch government says it needs to reduce migration to address public concerns and political pressure. Minister Faber, who leads the country’s asylum and migration policies, has said it’s important to “act swiftly” to lower the number of asylum seekers and increase the return of people who aren’t allowed to stay.

At the same time, many experts and business leaders warn that these policies could hurt the Dutch economy. They point out that the country has a shortage of skilled workers and an aging population, which means it needs more—not fewer—young, skilled immigrants.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

Immigration to the Netherlands 🇳🇱 surged after the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a high point in 2022. But starting in 2023, the numbers began to fall. The current drop is the result of both new government policies and global factors like economic uncertainty and stricter migration rules across Europe.

Net migration from EU countries has also been falling, with fewer people coming from Poland and Bulgaria in particular. The government’s shift to the right has led to the strictest asylum and migration policies in Dutch history, with a clear goal of reducing both labor and asylum migration.

What Do the Experts Say?

• Statistics Netherlands (CBS): Continues to track and report on migration trends, highlighting the decline in both overall immigration and highly skilled migrant arrivals.
• Economists: Warn that continued declines in skilled migration could make workforce shortages worse and slow down economic growth, especially as the population ages.
• Employers: Many Dutch companies say they need more flexible migration policies so they can hire the international talent they need.
• Government: Focused on reducing migration numbers, even if it means risking labor shortages.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate between economic needs and political pressures is likely to continue, with possible adjustments to policies in the future.

What’s Next? Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the number of new arrivals—especially highly skilled migrants and expats—is expected to stay low or drop even further in 2025 and beyond. If these trends continue, Dutch employers may find it even harder to fill skilled jobs, which could slow down innovation and economic growth.

There’s ongoing debate about whether the government should adjust its policies to allow more skilled workers in, but for now, the focus remains on restriction.

Key Takeaways and Practical Guidance

• If you’re a highly skilled migrant: It’s now harder to move to the Netherlands 🇳🇱, but new one-stop shops and digital services may make the process smoother if you qualify.
• If you’re an employer: You’ll need to become a recognized sponsor to hire skilled workers from abroad. Start your application early and use the digital tools now available.
• If you’re an asylum seeker: Be aware of the new, stricter rules and shorter permit periods.
• For everyone: Stay updated by checking official resources like the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for the latest rules and procedures.

Summary Table: Key Data and Trends

Where to Find More Information

For the most current information on immigration rules, forms, and procedures, always check the official Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website. Employers can find digital application forms for sponsor recognition there as well. For regional services and pilot programs, the Expat Centre Zeeland is a helpful resource.

Conclusion

The Netherlands 🇳🇱 is seeing a clear decline in immigration, especially among highly skilled migrants and expats. This is the result of stricter government policies, changing economic conditions, and broader European trends. While the population is still growing, the drop in skilled arrivals is raising concerns about future labor shortages and economic growth. The government remains committed to further tightening migration policy, with big changes to asylum and labor migration rules already in place. For anyone considering moving to the Netherlands 🇳🇱—or hiring from abroad—it’s more important than ever to stay informed and plan ahead.

Learn Today

Highly Skilled Migrants → Individuals admitted for specialized jobs requiring advanced education or skills, mainly in IT and technology sectors.
Asylum Seekers → People requesting protection who face stricter, shorter permits and limited chances for permanent residence.
Residence Permit → Official document authorizing a foreigner to live and work legally in the Netherlands for a set period.
Family Reunification → Legal process allowing migrants to bring family members to join them in the host country.
Recognized Sponsor → Employers authorized by Dutch authorities to hire and support foreign highly skilled migrants legally.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Netherlands faces a sharp immigration decline, especially in highly skilled migrants, due to stricter policies and economic shifts. Employers worry about workforce gaps while the government prioritizes migration control despite growth needs, reshaping Dutch labor markets and society amid evolving European migration trends.
— By VisaVerge.com