Europe: updated salary thresholds for work permits and EU Blue Cards
Navigating the salary requirements is an essential part of employing or relocating highly skilled migrants. With the start of the new year, governments are again adjusting minimum salary thresholds for work permits, impacting workforce planning and mobility strategies.
With minimum salary requirements rising across many jurisdictions, this brief overview highlights the key forthcoming changes starting 1 January 2026:
Austria
Red-White-Red Card key employee: EUR 3,465 gross per month.
EU Blue Card: EUR 55,678 gross per year
Bulgaria
Minimum monthly wage: EUR 620.20
IMPORTANT: As the country adopts the new currency on 01 January 2026, all payments, including salaries and other employment-related payments, must be made exclusively in euros (EUR).
Czech Republic
Employee Card and Work Permit/Employee Card: CZK 22,400 per month.
Qualified Employee Migration Program: CZK 27,328 per month
EU Blue Card and the Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT): CZK 77,245 gross per month
Netherlands salary criteria (gross per month excluding holiday allowance):
Highly skilled migrant younger than 30 years EUR 4.357,00
Highly skilled migrant older than 30 years EUR 5.942,00
Highly skilled migrant reduced criteria EUR 3.122,00
Germany gross annual salary
Blue Card: EUR 50,700
Blue card reduced criteria for shortage occupation, young professionals, IT specialist: EUR 45,934.20
Experianced professionals: EUR 45,630 / EUR 55,770 if you are older than 45
Hungary minimum monthly compensation
Blue Card: HUF 1,001,047 / for shortage roles, HUF 800,838.
Skilled workers: HUF 373,200