Neonicotinoids are derivatives of synthetic nicotinoids with better insecticidal capabilities. Neonicotinoid pesticides have become the most widely used pesticides in the world. In the past two decades, the environmental residues of neonicotinoids have enormously increased due to large-scale applications. Thus, the systematic remediation of neonicotinoids is essential and in demand. Photolysis and hydrolysis of neonicotinoid insecticides and its degradation pathway have been reported. Compared with chemical methods, bioremediation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach for the treatment of pesticide-polluted environments. However, few reviews have focused on the neonicotinoid-degrading microorganisms along with metabolic pathways and degradation mechanisms. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the chemical methods, microbial degradation and metabolic pathways of neonicotinoids. In the end, the future research focus and direction of microbial degradation of neonicotinoid insecticides are prospected.