The revised European Directive on single permits (2024/1233, amending Directive 2011/98/EU) entered into force in the Netherlands on May 22, 2026. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has confirmed the change, which affects most combined residence and work permits (gvva) issued in the country.

The directive covers the following residence purposes: paid employment, work as a highly skilled migrant, the European Blue Card, research under Directive (EU) 2016/801, work experience, employment as non-privileged military or non-privileged civilian personnel, and the orientation year for those seeking and engaging in paid employment.

The revised rules change decision timelines, employer-change procedures and unemployment protections for permit holders. Here is what changes and who is affected.

Longer decision period for first applications

As of May 22, 2026, the IND can extend the legal decision period by 30 days for first residence applications. This applies to initial applications for paid employment, employment as a highly skilled migrant, the orientation year and employment as non-privileged civilian personnel. The IND must give reasons for any extension, for example the need for additional research into the application.

45-day deadline for change-of-employer decisions

The IND must now assess a change of employer within 45 days. This deadline applies to holders of residence permits for paid employment, highly skilled migrant work, the European Blue Card, research under Directive (EU) 2016/801 and work experience.

Change of employer within the current permit's validity. A legal decision period of 45 days applies. The IND can extend this by 15 days in exceptional cases. Under the EU Blue Card Directive, a statutory 30-day deadline applies when changing employers.

Change of residence purpose. If the permit holder switches to one of the listed residence purposes, a 45-day decision period again applies, extendable by 15 days in exceptional cases. If an authorized sponsor submits the application, the EU Blue Card Directive sets a statutory 30-day deadline.

Decision period expired. If the IND fails to decide within the decision period, the applicant is legally permitted to work for the new employer for the remainder of the current permit's validity.

Changing employer and extending at the same time. Applicants can request an extension of the permit's validity together with a change of employer. Two decision periods then run: 45 days for the remaining validity of the residence permit, and 90 days if the validity is extended. Fees apply when extending the permit's validity and/or changing the residence purpose. If the requirements are met, the IND grants the permit for the term of the employment contract with the new employer.

Six months to find a new job after unemployment

The revised directive doubles the job-search window for certain unemployed permit holders. A holder of a permit covered by the directive who becomes unemployed, and who has held that permit for two years or more, may now look for a new job for up to six months instead of three. The same extended period applies to permit holders who have been victims of labour exploitation. In all cases, the permitted search period cannot exceed the remaining validity of the residence permit.

Who should take note

Employers and foreign workers in the Netherlands should review pending and planned applications against the new timelines. First-time applicants under the affected categories should account for the possible 30-day extension of the decision period when planning start dates. Permit holders changing jobs can now rely on fixed 45-day decision windows, with automatic work authorization for a new employer if the IND misses the deadline. Long-term permit holders who lose their job gain a substantially longer runway to find new employment.

The IND business newsletter sets out the official details of how the revised directive applies to Dutch work permits. Readers with case-specific questions should consult the IND guidance or their immigration representative.