Immigration news update for the EMEA region
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Netherlands: Changes in the 30% tax reduction advantage
On January 01, 2024, the 30% tax reduction advantage for highly skilled migrants working in the Netherlands, will cease to be in place. This is based on an amendment passed by the Dutch House of Representatives.
At the current time, highly skilled migrant visa holders can apply for 30% tax exemption for their salary, which the new amendment will change by reducing this advantage for those who come after January 01, 2024. For those who have already successfully applied for this 30% tax ruling in the last salary pay period of 2023, there will be a transition period.
The maximum duration of stay remains 60 months and the changes coming from this amendment are the following:
- For the first 20 months, only a maximum of 30% savings will apply.
- After 20 months, a maximum of 20% savings will only apply for the next 20 months.
- After 40 months, a maximum of 10% savings will only apply for the third and last 20 months.
- If the stay is shorter, the same rules and percentages as above apply.
This summary was prepared using information from our local service partners.
Updates of salary thresholds
The 2024 salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants (HSM), Blue Card holders, key personnel of intra-corporate transfers (ICT) and recent graduates in the Netherlands have been published today.
As of January 01, 2024, the following monthly gross salary thresholds apply,  excluding 8% holiday allowance:
- Highly skilled migrants from 30 years of age / Key personnel Intra-corporate transferee: € 5,331
- Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years / Key personnel Intra-corporate transferee: € 3,909
- Foreign nationals graduated in the Netherlands: € 2,801
- Blue Card holders: € 6,245
These thresholds concern those applications lodged on or after January 01, 2024. For guidance on specific situations, please reach out to us.
This summary was prepared using information from our local service partners.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Veronika Vitkova (Team Leader, EMEA).
Switzerland: 2024 quotas for workers from third countries
The Swiss Federal Council has deliberated upon the following permit quota numbers for 2024:
Work permit quotas for assignees from EU/EFTA:
L permits: 3,000
B permits: 500
Work permit quotas for non-EU/EFTA nationals:
L permits: 4,000
B permits: 4,500
For these categories, the numbers  remain the same as they currently are for 2023.
For UK national workers. , the Swiss Federal council established separate quotas. This is because since January 01, 2021, the Free Movement of Persons Agreement between Switzerland and the UK no longer applies, due to the UK withdrawing from the EU. The quotas for the UK are following:
In 2024, up to 3,500 workers can be recruited from the UK:
L permits: 1,400
B permits: 2,100
This summary was prepared using information from the Federal Council of the Swiss Government
Consultation on Schengen visa digitalization launched
On November 13, 2023, the EU adopted a regulation of 90-day visa applications to be submitted digitally, using an EU electronic platform, that is planned to be developed soon. This will simplify the procedures of Visa applications for visitors and harmonize the process in all Schengen countries. In the future, these digital visas will replace the current paper visa sticker. The EU electronic platform is planned to launch in January 2026. Switzerland does not plan to join sooner than 2028. Primarily, some amendments need to be made in the current legislation to accommodate this new regulation, such as the national visa system and  travel documents verification.
This summary was prepared using information from the Federal Council of the Swiss Government
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Sabrina Crespo (Team Leader, EMEA).
United Kingdom: New statement of changes to immigration rules published
On December 07, 2023, the UK published a new statement involving changes to its immigration rules, that will be in effect from January 31, 2024.
Amongst others, these  changes expand activities that can be performed under a Visitor Visa and allow for remote work in these circumstances. Travel requirements regarding documentation for school groups from France are also back to pre-Brexit rules. The statement also slightly changes the Youth Mobility Scheme by also including  nationals from Uruguay and an increased number of slots for nationals from Japan and South Korea.
This summary was prepared using information from the Government of UK
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Joanna Sogeke (Team Leader, EMEA).
We track policy changes in over 120 countries. Find out how we can help you in this short video.
