In this guide
This comparison sticks to official sources. For the Netherlands we use the IND, the Belastingdienst, Rijksoverheid and CBS. For China we do not publish our own figures or descriptions of daily life; we point to the official Dutch travel advice and to the Chinese authorities, because those rules change. It is aimed at professionals weighing a move between these two destinations. Wise and NordVPN are affiliate partners of this site; see our affiliate disclosure.
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Quick answer: For the Netherlands the official numbers are in this guide: the highly skilled migrant salary thresholds, tax rates and health insurance. For China, read the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice (yellow code, last changed 28 August 2026) and the Chinese authorities’ own visa rules before you decide.
Quick Overview
| Factor | Netherlands | China |
|---|---|---|
| Main expat permit | Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant), employer-sponsored | Check the Chinese authorities and the Dutch travel advice |
| Currency | EUR | CNY (renminbi) |
| Health insurance | Mandatory basic insurance | Check an official source |
| Safety information | Rijksoverheid | NederlandWereldwijd travel advice: code yellow, “you can travel there, but there are particular safety risks” (checked 8 October 2026) |
Visas and Getting to Each Country
The Netherlands: Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)
The Dutch kennismigrant permit requires a recognised sponsor and a salary above the IND threshold, indexed each January and published on ind.nl. In 2026 the gross monthly salary criterion, excluding holiday allowance, is €5,942 if you are 30 or older, €4,357 under 30, and €3,122 on the reduced criterion (IND, checked 8 October 2026).
The IND’s target decision period is 2 weeks when a recognised sponsor submits a complete application; the legal maximum is 90 days. A permanent residence permit requires, among other conditions, at least 5 consecutive years of valid Dutch residence permits and your main residence in the Netherlands during that period (IND).
China
We do not describe the Chinese visa and residence system here. For the official requirements, check the Chinese embassy or consulate that serves your country and the Chinese authorities’ own information. The Dutch travel advice for China has a section on passport, visa and driving licence for Dutch travellers.
Salaries, Tax and the 30% Ruling
Netherlands: For people below AOW age, box 1 in 2026 is 35.75% up to €38,883, 37.56% from €38,883 to €78,426 and 49.50% above that (Belastingdienst, checked 6 October 2026). Tax credits affect the effective rate. If you qualify for the 30% ruling, your employer can pay up to 30% of your salary as a tax-free allowance; the salary norm for 2026 is €48,013 (Belastingdienst). See our 30% ruling guide and the average salary guide, which uses CBS data.
China: Individual income tax in China has its own rules, and tax residency depends on the facts of your situation. Check the Chinese tax authority and the tax treaty between China and your home country, and get tax advice before you sign a contract.
Cost of Living
We do not give price ranges for housing, food or schools in China, because we have no official source for them. Compare an employer package line by line: housing, schooling, health insurance, flights and tax.
For the Netherlands, the average basic health insurance premium in 2026 is €157 per month (Rijksoverheid), and the mandatory excess is €385 per year. For housing, see our cost of living guide.
Internet and Legal Environment
Rules about internet use, data and other laws in China change, and they can apply to foreign residents. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice for China (NederlandWereldwijd, last changed 28 August 2026, still valid on 8 October 2026) has sections on crime, laws and customs, and what to do in an emergency. Read them before you travel or sign a contract, and follow the advice for dual nationals and for your own nationality.
If you plan to use a VPN, check the current rules first and set it up before you travel. NordVPN lists obfuscated servers among its features (nordvpn.com, checked 5 October 2026), but no provider can promise access in every country at all times.
In the Netherlands, see Rijksoverheid for your rights and obligations as a resident.
Healthcare
The Netherlands: Basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is mandatory for residents. The average premium in 2026 is €157 per month, plus the mandatory excess of €385 per year (Rijksoverheid). Read our Dutch health insurance guide.
China: Check which health insurance your employer provides and which facilities it covers. The Dutch travel advice for China has a section on travel insurance and medicines.
Work Culture
CBS reports that 48.6% of employed people in the Netherlands worked part-time in 2025 (4.782 million of 9.833 million; CBS table 85264NED). We do not describe working culture in China, as we have no official source. Ask a prospective employer in either country about hours, leave and expectations, and put them in your contract.
Managing Money Between the Netherlands and China
If you have financial ties in both countries, compare the total cost of each transfer: the fee and the exchange rate, at your bank and at other providers. Wise says it uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a fee that starts from 0.2% and varies by currency (wise.com/nl/pricing, checked 8 October 2026). Check on wise.com whether the currency and the route you need are supported and what the fee is. Rules on moving money out of China are set by the Chinese authorities; check them or ask your bank before you plan a large transfer.
Summary
The Netherlands may suit you if you:
- Qualify as a highly skilled migrant with a recognised sponsor and a salary above the threshold
- Want a published decision period and a published route to permanent residence
- Want to compare health insurance premiums and the mandatory excess openly (Rijksoverheid)
For China, decide with official information:
- Read the Dutch travel advice and the Chinese authorities’ rules
- Compare an employer package line by line
- Get tax advice for both countries
Further Reading on ExpatNetherlandsHub
Frequently Asked Questions
Can expats use their normal apps and websites in China?
Internet access in China is regulated, and the rules and what is reachable change. We do not list blocked services here. Check the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice for China (NederlandWereldwijd, section on laws and customs) and the official guidance of the Chinese authorities before you travel.
How does the cost of living in China compare to the Netherlands for expats?
This depends on the city, your housing and whether an employer pays for housing, schooling and insurance, so we do not give general figures for China. For the Netherlands, the average basic health insurance premium in 2026 is €157 per month (Rijksoverheid) and the mandatory excess is €385 per year. Compare an employer's package line by line in both countries.
Is it safe for expats to live in China in 2026?
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs rates its travel advice for China yellow: you can travel there, but there are particular safety risks (NederlandWereldwijd, travel advice last changed 28 August 2026, still valid on 8 October 2026). Read the sections on crime, laws and customs and what to do in an emergency before you decide.
What is the work culture like in China compared to the Netherlands?
We do not have an official source on workplace culture in China, so we do not describe it. For the Netherlands, CBS reports that 48.6% of employed people worked part-time in 2025, which is a sign that part-time work is common. Ask a prospective employer about hours and expectations.
Which country is easier for expats to get a residence and work permit, Netherlands or China?
For the Netherlands, the IND's target decision period for a highly skilled migrant permit is 2 weeks when a recognised sponsor submits a complete application, with a legal maximum of 90 days (IND, checked 8 October 2026). For China, check the visa and residence permit rules of the Chinese authorities and the 'passport, visa, driving licence' section of the Dutch travel advice for China.
Do I need a VPN in China and which ones work?
Check the current rules before you travel; we cannot give a reliable answer on what works. If you plan to use a VPN, set it up before you leave. NordVPN lists obfuscated servers among its features (nordvpn.com, checked 5 October 2026), but no provider can promise access in every country at all times.