Working in Europe instead: Netherlands, Ireland & Portugal

Eligibility requirements

• NETHERLANDS - Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant): job offer from an IND-recognised sponsor; 2026 minimum gross salary EUR 5,942/month (age 30+), EUR 4,357/month (under 30), or EUR 3,122/month for recent Dutch graduates / orientation-year holders. Leads to permanent residence after 5 years.
• IRELAND - Critical Skills Employment Permit: job offer (usually 2 yrs) on the Critical Skills list; minimum salary EUR 40,904/year from 1 March 2026 (EUR 36,848 for relevant recent graduates), or EUR 68,911 for jobs off the list. Fast-tracks to long-term residence; English-speaking, Common Travel Area with the UK.
• PORTUGAL - D8 Digital Nomad visa: remote worker/freelancer with active income of at least 4x the Portuguese minimum wage (~EUR 3,680/month in 2026) plus ~EUR 9,840 savings; leads to residence and a path to citizenship after 5 years.
• PORTUGAL - D7 Passive Income visa: stable passive income (pension, rental, dividends) of at least the minimum wage (~EUR 920/month in 2026) plus ~50% extra per adult dependant; popular with retirees.
• All three are separate national systems outside UK control; the UK left EU free movement in 2021, so a UK visa gives no EU rights and vice versa.

Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.