The labour markets of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom continue to experience critical shortages across technology, engineering, healthcare, finance, and advanced scientific fields. As both countries strengthen their skilled migration systems and expand opportunities for international professionals, the demand for foreign workers capable of filling high-level roles has increased dramatically. This shift has made €120k salary jobs Netherlands and UK not only accessible but strategically important to national workforce planning.
Employers across both nations are posting thousands of Netherlands high paying jobs 2026 and UK high salary visa sponsorship jobs 2025, especially in sectors such as software engineering, cybersecurity, renewable energy, data analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud architecture, financial risk management, and advanced healthcare specialities. These vacancies commonly offer structured residency pathways through frameworks like Netherlands skilled worker visas, UK’s Skilled Worker Visa, and specialized ICT or engineering routes.
This article examines both regions in detail, exploring the types of roles offering €120,000+ annual salaries and the visa sponsorship mechanisms that make relocation possible. It also integrates practical considerations such as Netherlands relocation assistance programs, UK relocation support for skilled workers, salary comparison tools, legal services, and evaluation systems used to validate international qualifications.
Why the Netherlands and UK Are Competing for Global Skilled Talent
Both countries face long-standing labour shortages driven by rapid technological change, aging populations, and an increased need for automation, data science, and advanced engineering skills.
1. The Netherlands: A Digital and Engineering Powerhouse
The Netherlands continues to position itself as one of Europe’s most innovation-oriented economies. Demand is exceptionally strong in:
- Cloud architecture
- Enterprise software development
- Robotics & industrial automation
- Renewable energy engineering
- Data science and analytics
- Healthcare technology
- Banking & fintech
This is reflected in increasing listings for:
- Netherlands visa sponsorship jobs €120000 salary
- Netherlands engineering visa sponsorship roles
- Netherlands finance jobs for expats
- Netherlands healthcare specialist visa jobs
- Netherlands cloud computing jobs for foreigners
These trends align with national digital transformation plans and EU-wide technology investments.
2. The United Kingdom: High Earnings and Global Recruitment Demand
The UK economy continues to rebuild and modernize, driving demand for expert-level workers in:
- Software engineering
- Fintech and risk management
- Cloud & cybersecurity
- Healthcare & medical specialties
- Mechanical and electrical engineering
- Strategic consulting and enterprise systems
As a result, employers increasingly publish:
- UK high salary visa sponsorship jobs 2025
- UK engineering jobs with visa sponsorship 2026
- UK finance analyst visa sponsorship
- UK healthcare visa sponsorship high salary
- UK cloud engineering visa sponsorship roles
These developments make the UK one of Europe’s most attractive high-salary job markets for foreign professionals.
High-Salary Job Sectors Offering €120,000+ in the Netherlands and UK
1. Technology & ICT (€120k–€150k+)
Tech remains the strongest driver of jobs in both countries. Organizations undergoing cloud migration, cybersecurity enhancement, and digital modernization rely heavily on international specialists.
Common visa-supported ICT roles in both countries include:
- Netherlands software engineer visa jobs
- UK software developer skilled visa roles
- Netherlands AI and machine learning engineering jobs with visa sponsorship
- UK AI engineer visa pathways for high earners
- Netherlands data analyst visa sponsorship
- UK data engineering jobs with sponsorship
- Netherlands cloud computing jobs for foreigners
- UK cloud architect visa sponsorship roles 2025
Both markets use specialized immigration rules such as:
- Netherlands ICT specialist visa requirements
- UK tech worker visa requirements 2025
In addition to coding and cloud skills, demand includes specializations such as:
- AI modeling
- High-performance computing
- Enterprise SaaS development
- BI engineering
- Big data infrastructure
- DevOps and SRE engineering
This connects to roles such as Netherlands cloud architecture visa sponsorship careers and UK digital transformation engineering roles with visa support.
2. Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing (Up to €140k+)
Both countries face shortages in mechanical, civil, renewable energy, electrical, and industrial engineering. High-earning roles include:
- Electrical systems engineers
- Industrial automation specialists
- Robotics engineers
- Renewable energy engineers
- Mechatronics and embedded systems developers
Relevant opportunities include:
- Netherlands engineering visa sponsorship roles
- UK engineering jobs with visa sponsorship 2026
- Netherlands robotics and automation engineering positions with sponsorship
- UK industrial automation engineering jobs for non-UK workers
- Netherlands IoT and embedded systems visa sponsorship roles
Both governments emphasize sustainable construction, green energy, and digital industrial systems—areas where international experts remain essential.
3. Healthcare & Clinical Professions (€120k+ and above)
The Netherlands and UK both rely heavily on skilled foreign healthcare workers to manage aging populations and evolving clinical needs.
Key visa-supported opportunities include:
- Netherlands healthcare specialist visa jobs
- UK healthcare visa sponsorship high salary
- Netherlands high paying healthcare jobs with visa sponsorship
- UK medical specialist visa sponsorship for international workers
Medical technologists, senior nursing specialists, and diagnostic professionals also benefit from structured immigration support.
These pathways rely on:
- Netherlands credential evaluation services
- UK qualification recognition services
4. Finance, Banking & Risk (€120k–€180k+)
Both countries serve as major European financial hubs, offering highly paid positions in:
- Corporate finance
- Risk management
- Financial engineering
- Wealth management
- Fintech product development
- Internal audit, governance, and compliance
Key positions include:
- Netherlands finance jobs for expats
- UK finance analyst visa sponsorship
- Netherlands fintech engineering roles eligible for visa pathways
- UK banking and finance analyst high salary visa roles
Linked technology careers include:
- payment processing engineering jobs UK fintech
- payment processing software roles Netherlands
Visa Pathways for €120k+ Jobs: Netherlands vs UK
1. Netherlands Visa Pathways
Professionals earning €120k+ typically qualify for fast-track immigration routes. These may include:
- Highly skilled migrant visa
- ICT specialist visa
- EU Blue Card equivalents
The process usually involves:
- check eligibility for Netherlands skilled worker visa
- submit documents for Netherlands skilled worker visa
- download Netherlands visa sponsorship checklist
Many employers are registered on the Netherlands government-approved visa employers list, making sponsorship straightforward.
2. UK Skilled Worker Visa Pathways
The UK offers clear visa pathways for high earners under the Points-Based System.
Key steps include:
- apply now for UK skilled worker visa jobs
- check eligibility for UK skilled worker visa
- download UK skilled worker visa checklist
Higher salaries often exceed immigration thresholds, making approval faster and more predictable. Companies hiring at €120k-equivalent levels typically appear on the official list of licensed UK sponsors.
Comparing Salaries: Netherlands vs UK in 2025
Salary comparisons help professionals assess opportunities using:
- salary comparison Netherlands vs UK 2025
- compare Netherlands vs UK high salary employers
Key Takeaways
- UK salaries can be slightly higher in tech and finance.
- Netherlands offers stronger work–life balance and lower weekly work hours.
- Taxation differs, with the Netherlands offering expat tax benefits such as the 30% ruling (subject to eligibility).
Overall, high paying IT jobs Netherlands and UK offer competitive global compensation packages.
Qualification Recognition & Professional Evaluation
Foreign credentials generally require formal assessment.
Netherlands Credential Recognition
Applicants use:
- Netherlands credential evaluation services
- enroll in Netherlands qualification recognition services
- schedule evaluation for Netherlands professional credentials
UK Credential Recognition
Applicants often rely on:
- UK qualification recognition services
- enroll in UK credential evaluation services
- schedule evaluation for UK professional credentials
These assessments confirm education levels, technical competencies, and sector-specific requirements for licensure or employment.
Employer and Recruitment Platforms
Professionals seeking high-paying jobs benefit from specialized platforms, such as:
- engineering recruitment agencies Netherlands and UK
- tech hiring platforms Netherlands and UK
- finance recruitment portals for visa sponsorship
- Netherlands and UK enterprise software job listings
Recruitment agencies frequently support additional services including:
- Document preparation
- Interview coaching
- Employer verification
Applicants can also use:
- register for high salary Netherlands job alerts
- register for high salary UK job alerts
- sign up for visa-sponsored job updates Netherlands and UK
Relocation Assistance, Housing, and Financial Support for Foreign Professionals
Professionals relocating to the Netherlands or the United Kingdom, especially those earning the €120k salary range, often access well-structured mobility support from employers. This support is vital for navigating complex international moves and ensuring financial stability during the transition.
1. Relocation Services in the Netherlands
Many Dutch employers provide substantial settlement support through:
- Netherlands relocation assistance programs
- Netherlands housing and mortgage services for expat workers
- credit services for new immigrants in the Netherlands
- loan options for foreign workers in the Netherlands
These services typically include:
- Initial housing or temporary accommodation
- Utility setup support
- Registration assistance
- Language training vouchers
- Orientation guidance
- Early financial planning services
Professionals entering Netherlands high paying jobs 2026 often also seek:
- insurance for expat workers in the Netherlands
- Netherlands medical insurance requirements for foreign professionals
2. Relocation Support in the United Kingdom
Similarly, the UK provides comprehensive employer-driven relocation benefits for individuals hired under:
- UK high salary visa sponsorship jobs 2025
- UK skilled worker visa high salary roles
Support options may include:
- Sponsored flights
- Settling-in allowances
- Short-term corporate housing
- Tax advisory assistance
- Schooling guidance for families
These services integrate with financial tools such as:
- credit services for UK newcomers
- loan options for UK skilled migrants
- mortgage services for expats in the UK
- UK relocation financial planning for foreign employees
These offerings help ensure a stable relocation, especially for senior-level engineers, financial analysts, medical specialists, and IT professionals.
Technology & Enterprise Systems Used by High-Paying Employers
Employers offering Netherlands and UK visa sponsorship job listings often use advanced enterprise systems, predicting and managing workforce needs through digital solutions. These environments create demand for:
- cloud solutions for Netherlands enterprises
- cloud solutions for UK businesses
- enterprise software roles Netherlands and UK
- software as a service careers in Europe
- accounting software engineering roles Netherlands and UK
- payroll software jobs in the Netherlands
- payroll software engineering jobs UK
High-paying IT roles supporting these technologies include:
- ERP implementation specialists
- SAP and Oracle consultants
- Cloud DevOps engineers
- Cybersecurity engineers
- Enterprise data recovery specialists
These capabilities connect directly to opportunities such as:
- enterprise data recovery jobs Netherlands
- enterprise data recovery roles UK
- Netherlands enterprise cybersecurity and data recovery jobs for expats
Risk Management, Audit & Compliance Roles in the Netherlands and UK (€120k–€160k+)
With growing global regulatory requirements, companies in finance, technology, manufacturing, and healthcare increasingly require senior-level talent for:
- Risk management
- Internal audit
- Governance and compliance
- Regulatory reporting
- Cyber-risk management
High-demand roles include:
- risk management jobs Netherlands and UK
- audit and compliance roles in the Netherlands
- audit and compliance specialist roles UK
- UK cybersecurity and risk management roles with visa support
Companies also hire specialists for:
- Anti-money laundering (AML)
- Payment fraud analysis
- Digital identity and access management
- Strategic enterprise risk assessment
These positions frequently appear under:
- UK high paying strategic risk management jobs with visa options
- UK banking and finance analyst high salary visa roles
Step-by-Step Process for Applying to €120k+ Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
1. Search Verified High-Salary Job Listings
Professionals begin with platforms offering:
- Netherlands and UK visa sponsorship job listings
- engineering recruitment agencies Netherlands and UK
- tech hiring platforms Netherlands and UK
- finance recruitment portals for visa sponsorship
2. Check Visa Eligibility
Applicants must confirm they meet immigration criteria:
- check eligibility for Netherlands skilled worker visa
- check eligibility for UK skilled worker visa
3. Submit Documentation
Both countries require detailed documentation such as:
- Passport and identity verification
- Employment contract
- Salary confirmation
- Credential recognition reports
Tools include:
- download Netherlands visa sponsorship checklist
- download UK skilled worker visa checklist
- submit documents for Netherlands skilled worker visa
- submit documents for UK skilled worker visa
4. Undergo Credential Evaluation
Professionals in fields like healthcare, engineering, and finance may require recognition through:
- schedule evaluation for Netherlands professional credentials
- schedule evaluation for UK professional credentials
5. Seek Immigration Legal Guidance (Optional but Common)
Applicants may consult:
- book consultation with Netherlands immigration attorney
- book consultation with UK immigration attorney
- Netherlands immigration legal services
- UK immigration legal services
- Dutch work visa attorney consulting
- UK work visa attorney consulting
Legal support improves accuracy and reduces delays in the visa process.
Key Industries Leading the Demand for €120k+ Foreign Professionals
1. Artificial Intelligence & Data Engineering
Roles include:
- ML engineers
- AI researchers
- Data engineers
- BI specialists
- Data architecture leads
Corresponding job pathways:
- Netherlands AI and machine learning engineering jobs with visa sponsorship
- UK AI engineer visa pathways for high earners
- Netherlands data engineering jobs with permanent residency options
- UK data analytics and BI specialist roles with visa sponsorship
2. Cloud & Cybersecurity Engineering
Companies focusing on digital transformation require:
- Cloud architects
- DevOps and SRE engineers
- Cloud security specialists
- Cybersecurity analysts
With opportunities like:
- Netherlands cloud engineering roles with visa support 2026
- UK cloud engineering visa sponsorship roles
- Netherlands cloud security engineer jobs for non-EU workers
- UK cloud security specialist visa sponsorship roles
3. Renewable Energy & Green Tech
Both regions prioritize renewable energy, generating roles such as:
- Solar energy engineers
- Wind turbine specialists
- Sustainable industrial designers
Including:
- Netherlands renewable energy engineering jobs for foreign experts
- UK green tech engineering roles with sponsorship pathways
4. Enterprise Digitalization & SaaS
High salaries are common in:
- ERP engineering
- Service-oriented architecture
- SaaS engineering
- Enterprise integration roles
Jobs include:
- Netherlands enterprise software developer visa opportunities
- UK SaaS engineering jobs with skilled worker visa routes
Challenges and Considerations for International Applicants
Despite attractive salaries, applicants should understand potential challenges.
1. Housing Costs and Market Competition
Rental costs can be high in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London, and Edinburgh. Many professionals rely on:
- Netherlands housing and mortgage services for expat workers
- mortgage services for expats in the UK
2. Strict Compliance and Documentation Requirements
Roles in finance, engineering, and healthcare may require:
- Advanced credential verification
- Strict security checks
- Compliance with labour and audit standards
Supported by:
- UK compliance and tax advisory services for skilled migrants
- tax advisory services for expats Netherlands
3. Cultural and Workplace Adaptation
Both countries maintain high professional standards and value:
- Autonomy
- Direct communication
- Structured work–life balance
4. Insurance Requirements
All employees must maintain regulated coverage through:
- insurance for expat workers in the Netherlands
- insurance for UK skilled workers
Permanent Residency Paths in the Netherlands and UK
Many professionals are interested in long-term settlement.
Netherlands Residence Pathways
High earners pursuing Netherlands €120k salary visa sponsorship jobs for expats may qualify for:
- Long-term residence permits
- EU Blue Card equivalents
- Permanent residency after continuous residence
UK Residence Pathways
Professionals in UK £100k+ skilled worker visa roles for foreigners may pursue:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Pathways through skilled work or global talent routes
High salary roles often accelerate eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the most in-demand €120k+ roles in 2025/2026?
Cloud architects, AI engineers, senior software developers, cybersecurity experts, finance analysts, healthcare specialists, and renewable energy engineers.
2. Can foreigners apply for these jobs?
Yes—both countries provide structured visa pathways like the Netherlands skilled worker visa and UK Skilled Worker Visa.
3. Which country pays more?
Depending on the sector, the UK may offer higher base salaries, while the Netherlands offers benefits like tax exemptions and stronger work–life balance.
4. Do employers provide relocation support?
Many do, offering:
- Flights
- Accommodation help
- Financial planning services
- Moving allowances
5. Do I need my credentials evaluated?
Yes—many roles require:
- Netherlands credential evaluation services
- UK qualification recognition services
6. Are tech roles easy to access for non-EU/non-UK applicants?
Yes—both nations have shortages in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise software development.
Conclusion: A Strong Future for Global Professionals Seeking High Salary Roles
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have positioned themselves among the most attractive destinations for international professionals seeking €120,000+ salaries with clear visa pathways. With industries such as cloud computing, finance, engineering, healthcare, renewable energy, and AI expanding rapidly, 2025 and 2026 present unprecedented opportunities for highly skilled global talent.
Through well-defined immigration systems, recognized recruitment networks, employer sponsorship programs, and financial support resources, both countries offer stable, rewarding long-term career options. Whether evaluating opportunities in the UK or the Netherlands, international professionals can leverage strong demand, competitive compensation, and reliable relocation programs to begin high-level careers in Europe.