ClearfileEU residency, company and licence filings
Menu

Residency

EU programmes

Business setup

Country guides

Pricing

Get a quote

Highly qualified employment

EU Blue Card

From €1,50015–30 working days

Government fees are paid separately at cost and are listed below with their source.

Indicative prices; the final quote depends on your case.

  • Salary threshold check for the chosen country
  • Contract and qualification documents check
  • Application filing

For non-EU nationals with a job offer of at least 6 months in highly qualified work, in one of the 25 participating member states.

Check your offer against the threshold

Thresholds move every year, so a re-filing is checked against the current figure: Germany moved to €50,700/year on 1 January 2026, Sweden to SEK 53,625/month on 15 July 2026. We check the offer against the figure in force on the filing date, assemble the file and submit it.

Updated

By country

EU Blue Card countries and thresholds

All 25 countries in our reference that issue the card, with the salary figure each authority publishes. Where no current figure is confirmed, the cell says so instead of estimating.

25countries issue the cardFacts checked on

ChangedLatvia: the Residence permit for real estate purchase, subordinated bank liabilities or state securities closed to new applicants on 15 September 2026.

Closed and suspended programmes stay in the catalogue with their closing date, so you can see what changed and when. We do not accept new files for them; open alternatives in the same country or of the same type are listed in the same table.

See the status column

Lowest published salary thresholds in euro

  1. Latvia€24,720/yearChecked onsourceEU Blue CardChanged
  2. Greece€31,919/yearChecked onsourceEU Blue CardChanged
  3. Estonia€32,976/yearChecked onsourceEU Blue CardOpen

Germany, Austria, Benelux and Central Europe

CountrySalary thresholdDecision timeYears to permanent residenceYears to citizenshipStatusNext step
AustriaEU Blue Card (§ 42 NAG, § 12c AuslBG)€55,678/yearChecked on—5 yearsChecked on—OpenRequest a quote
BelgiumEU Blue CardNot publishedSet by region. 2026 figures reported by KPMG: Brussels EUR 4,748 per month, Wallonia EUR 68,815 per year, Flanders EUR 55,052 per year (provisional, pending update). Other secondary sources give different Flanders figures; confirm with the regional authority before publishing.Checked onsecondary source90 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
Czech RepublicEU Blue CardCZK 73,823/monthChecked onsecondary source90 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
FranceTalent card — EU Blue Card€59,373/yearChecked on—5 yearsChecked on—OpenRequest a quote
GermanyEU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU, § 18g AufenthG)€50,700/yearChecked onNot publishedno dataChecked on1.75 yearsChecked on5 yearsChecked onOpenRequest a quote
HungaryEU Blue CardNot publishedThe EU Immigration Portal gives the 2024 figure only (HUF 773,649 gross per month; HUF 618,919 for shortage occupations). The current figure was not confirmed.Checked on90 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
LuxembourgEU Blue Card / highly qualified worker€65,652/yearChecked on—5 yearsChecked on5 yearsChecked onOpenRequest a quote
NetherlandsEuropean Blue Card€5,942/monthChecked on———OpenRequest a quote
PolandEU Blue Card (temporary residence for highly qualified work)Not publishedno data in PLN: gross annual salary must be at least 150% of the national average wage of the previous year as published by GUS (Art. 127); contract of at least 6 months.Checked on———OpenRequest a quote
SlovakiaEU Blue CardNot publishedAt least 1.2 times the average monthly wage in the national economy for the relevant year. The EU Immigration Portal (1 April 2025) cites the 2023 average of EUR 1,430; no current EUR figure recorded.Checked on30 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote

Nordics and the Baltics

CountrySalary thresholdDecision timeYears to permanent residenceYears to citizenshipStatusNext step
EstoniaEU Blue Card€32,976/yearChecked on60 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
FinlandEU Blue Card€3,937/monthChecked on14 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
LatviaEU Blue Card€24,720/yearChecked on10 daysChecked on——ChangedRequest a quote
LithuaniaEU Blue CardNot published1.5 times the latest published average gross monthly earnings (euro amount not captured); 3 times the average exempts from the labour market test.Checked on2 monthsChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
SwedenEU Blue CardSEK 53,625/monthChecked on1 monthChecked on——OpenRequest a quote

Mediterranean

CountrySalary thresholdDecision timeYears to permanent residenceYears to citizenshipStatusNext step
CroatiaEU Blue Card1.5 x average gross annual salary (80% of that for applicants with under 3 years of experience since graduation)Checked onsecondary sourceNot publishedno data (EU portal cites 30-60 days; not confirmed after 2025 reform)Checked on——ChangedRequest a quote
CyprusEU Blue Card (highly qualified employment)€43,632/yearChecked on90 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
GreeceEU Blue Card€31,919/yearChecked on90 daysChecked on——ChangedRequest a quote
ItalyEU Blue Card (D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 27-quater)Not publishedno data in EUR — annual salary must be not lower than the national collective agreement pay and in any case not lower than the average annual gross salary measured by ISTAT.Checked on—5 yearsChecked on—OpenRequest a quote
MaltaEU Blue CardNot publishedno data - Maltese salary threshold not stated on the Identita pageChecked on———OpenRequest a quote
PortugalEU Blue Card (Aliens Act art. 121.º-A ff.)Not publishedno data in EUR — salary must be at least 1.5x the national average gross annual salary (1.2x in shortage cases under art. 61.º-A(2)); the current euro amount was not verified.Checked on———OpenRequest a quote
SloveniaEU Blue CardNot publishedSalary threshold defined by Slovenia; the current EUR amount was not confirmed.Checked on30 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
SpainEU Blue Card (highly qualified professionals, Law 14/2013 arts. 71-71 bis)Not publishedno data — the law sets the salary threshold between 1.0x and 1.6x the average gross annual salary, to be fixed by regulation (80% of it for shortage occupations and recent graduates); the current euro figure was not verified in a primary source.Checked on20 daysChecked on5 yearsChecked on—ChangedRequest a quote

Balkans and Romania

CountrySalary thresholdDecision timeYears to permanent residenceYears to citizenshipStatusNext step
BulgariaEU Blue Card1.5 x average gross annual salary in BulgariaChecked on3 monthsChecked on——OpenRequest a quote
RomaniaEU Blue CardNot publishedno data (EU portal figure is internally inconsistent; confirm current threshold with IGI)Checked on30 daysChecked on——OpenRequest a quote

Not published

Refused once? Re-file against the current figure

Send the refusal letter and the offer. We reply with what to change before filing, usually within one business day. Indicative prices; the final quote depends on your case.

From €1,50015–30 working days

Send your refusal for review

Changes

Blue Card rule changes

Updated

DateWhat changedApplies toSource
ReformNew Immigration Law in force (adopted 20 Aug 2026): real estate, subordinated-bank-liability and state-securities residence permits removed for new applicants; equity-investment permits now up to 2 years; new EUR 150,000 state alternative investment fund route (up to 5 years); employment permits up to 1 year; permanent residence requires Latvian A2 and a culture and history course.LatviaLatvijas Vēstnesis / likumi.lv
ReformLaw 5275/2026 in force: single permit reform, EU Blue Card validity 3 years, tech visa for startup employees, digital nomads must apply for a type D visa before entry, golden visa 5-year term runs from card issuance.GreeceHellenic Law Firm
ReformAliens Act amendments (OG 40/25): work permits up to 3 years, EU Blue Card validity 48 months, lower salary threshold for recent graduates, stricter employer rules.CroatiaJasaragic, Mamut & Stojan (law firm)
ReformLey 11/2023 enabled fully online SL incorporation via notarial videoconference and reformed the EU Blue Card rules.SpainBoletín Oficial del Estado

How often we check changes

Rules and timing

EU Blue Card requirements, country by country

One Directive, 25 sets of national figures. The margin of each part shows the figure it depends on, with the date we checked it.

What the EU Blue Card is

The EU Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit for non-EU nationals in highly qualified jobs, set by Directive (EU) 2021/1883. It applies in 25 member states; Denmark, Ireland are not bound by it and run national schemes instead. Member states had to transpose the recast Directive by 18 November 2023.

Each country fixes its own salary threshold between 1 and 1.6 times its average gross annual salary. That is why the same job pays enough in one capital and falls short in another: Luxembourg asks €65,652/year, Latvia €24,720/year (the EU portal figure as of 1 April 2025).

Nationality does not change the test. A US or Indian citizen is assessed on the same salary, contract and qualification conditions as any other non-EU national.

Salary requirements and the reduced threshold

Germany sets €50,700/year gross for 2026 and €45,934/year for shortage occupations and graduates within 3 years of graduation. The reduced figure needs approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

The Directive allows such a reduced threshold for shortage occupations at no less than 80% of the national figure. Netherlands publishes €5,942/month, Finland €3,937/month, Austria €55,678/year.

Several countries publish a formula, not a number. Poland requires at least 150% of the national average wage; Portugal, Italy and Romania have no confirmed euro figure in our reference, and the table marks them as not published.

Processing time: where the queue is

The Directive caps the decision at 90 days from a complete application, or 30 days where the employer is recognised by the authority. The clock starts only when the file is complete, so a missing translation costs more time than any queue.

Finland lists 14 days with a fast-track option. Latvia lists 10 days (working days), or 5 working days for the higher fee. Spain decides within 20 days, and silence after that counts as approval.

At the slow end, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Greece and Hungary use the full 90 days. Germany publishes no processing time at all. What we can shorten is our part: 15–30 working days to prepare and file. The authority's part cannot be bought faster except where an official expedited fee exists.

Before you re-file: the check we run

First, the salary against the threshold in force on the new filing date, not the old one. Czech Republic raised its figure to CZK 73,823/month on 1 May 2026; Austria and Netherlands published new figures in January.

Second, the contract: at least 6 months of highly qualified work. Third, the qualification: in France, Spain and Finland a degree of at least 3 years, or 5 years of relevant experience instead.

Fourth, the paperwork the authority returns files for: translations, apostilles and, where the country requires it, recognition of the degree. These three are outside our €1,500 fee, and the quote lists them by name.

Validity, family and permanent residence

Germany is the fastest route to permanent residence in our reference: 21 months with B1 German, 27 months with basic German. The card itself runs 4 years there, as in France, Croatia, Luxembourg and Sweden.

EU long-term resident status takes 5 years of residence, which a Blue Card holder can add up across member states; the last 2 years must be in the country where the application is made.

Family inclusion is recorded for Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, Sweden and others in our reference. In Germany the spouse needs no German and may work; in Portugal Blue Card families are exempt from the 2-year reunification wait introduced on 23 October 2025.

Changing country or employer

After 12 months in the first member state, the holder may move to a second one for highly qualified work. Business activity in other member states is allowed for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a new permit, if the card comes from a state fully applying the Schengen rules.

The second country may process the move faster: Czech Republic takes 30 days for holders of another state's card instead of 90 days. Portugal accepts holders after 18 months in the first state.

Changing employer within one country is simpler than before. In Czech Republic the holder notifies the Ministry of the Interior within 3 days, since 1 July 2023; in Austria the waiting period falls away after 12 months on the card.

When the Blue Card is the wrong route

  • You want to work in Denmark, Ireland: neither country issues the card.
  • Your contract is shorter than 6 months, or you are self-employed: the card needs an employment contract or binding offer.
  • Your salary sits below the national threshold and the job is not on a shortage list: a national work permit may fit, such as the German skilled worker permit.
  • You are aiming for Malta: the salary threshold is not published and a 2-week local job advert comes first.
  • You need a decision within weeks in a country that uses the full 90 days; nobody can shorten the authority's part.

What we do and what it costs

We check the offer against the threshold in force, review the contract and degree documents, and file the application. Our fee starts at €1,500 for 15–30 working days; indicative prices, the final quote depends on your case. Government fees are paid at cost and are not part of it: for example €150 in Greece, €126 in Belgium, €250 in Slovakia, €600 for a first application in Malta. We do not promise approval; the decision belongs to the immigration authority.

Questions

EU Blue Card questions

Figure first, conditions after.

Countries

Which countries issue the EU Blue Card?

25 EU member states; Denmark, Ireland do not. Our reference covers 25 of them.

Salary

What are the EU Blue Card salary requirements?

Each country sets its own gross figure between 1 and 1.6 times its average salary. Germany asks €50,700/year for 2026 (€45,934/year for shortage occupations), France €59,373/year and Luxembourg €65,652/year. Germany, Czech Republic and Sweden update theirs every year, so check the figure in force on your filing date.

Timing

How long does an EU Blue Card application take?

At most 90 days from a complete application under the Directive; Finland lists 14 days and Latvia 10 days (working days). Preparing and filing takes us 15–30 working days.

Permanent residence

Does the EU Blue Card lead to permanent residence?

Yes. Germany grants a settlement permit after 21 months with B1 German. EU long-term resident status needs 5 years, which can be combined across member states if the last 2 years are in the country where you apply.

Request

Not sure which country fits? Send your offer

Tell us your citizenship, the country of the job and when it starts. If you were refused before, add the date and the reason from the letter.

Privacy Policy

We use your details only to answer this request.

We usually reply within one business day.

Legal disclaimer

The information on this site is general and is not legal advice for your specific situation.

Legal disclaimer

Sources

Where the figures come from

Immigration authorities, national laws and the EU Immigration Portal for each country; the EU framework is Directive (EU) 2021/1883. Status changes carry their own date, such as Latvia on 15 September 2026 and Greece on 6 February 2026.

40Sources
SourcePublisherTypeChecked on
Laws and regulations
Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz § 12c – Blaue Karte EURechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS)Laws and regulationsChecked on
Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz § 45 – Daueraufenthalt – EURechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS)Laws and regulationsChecked on
AufenthG § 30 – EhegattennachzugBundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de)Laws and regulationsChecked on
AufenthG § 18c – Niederlassungserlaubnis für Fachkräfte und Inhaber der Blauen Karte EUBundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de)Laws and regulationsChecked on
StAG § 10 – EinbürgerungBundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de)Laws and regulationsChecked on
D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 9 — EU long-term residence permitNormattivaLaws and regulationsChecked on
Imigrācijas likums (adopted 20.08.2026, in force 15.09.2026)Latvijas Vēstnesis / likumi.lvLaws and regulationsChecked on
Lei n.º 61/2025, de 22 de outubro — amends the Aliens Act (family reunification, qualified job-seeker visa, startup residence)Diário da RepúblicaLaws and regulationsChecked on
Ley 14/2013, de 27 de septiembre, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización (consolidated text)Boletín Oficial del EstadoLaws and regulationsChecked on
Government sites
EU Blue CardMigration.gv.at (Austrian Federal Government)Government sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card - BelgiumEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in BulgariaEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in CroatiaEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
Stay and work of highly-qualified third-country nationalsMinistry of the Interior of CroatiaGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue CardMigration Department, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International ProtectionGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in CzechiaEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in EstoniaEuropean Commission – EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue CardFinnish Immigration Service (Migri)Government sitesChecked on
Carte talent : carte de séjour pluriannuelle d'un étranger en France (verified 01.06.2026)Service Public (DILA, Premier ministre)Government sitesChecked on
Carte de résident de longue durée-UE (verified 01.06.2026)Service Public (DILA, Premier ministre)Government sitesChecked on
Blaue Karte EU – Mindestgehälter 2026 (ZAV Newsletter 03/2026)Bundesagentur für ArbeitGovernment sitesChecked on
Blaue Karte EU (Migrathek)Bundesamt für Migration und FlüchtlingeGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in GreeceEuropean Commission – EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card - HungaryEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in LatviaEuropean Commission – EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
Highly qualified worker (EU Blue Card) in LithuaniaEuropean Commission – EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
Highly qualified worker (EU Blue Card) from a third countryGuichet.lu (Luxembourg Government)Government sitesChecked on
Long-term resident status for third-country nationalsGuichet.lu (Luxembourg Government)Government sitesChecked on
NaturalisationGuichet.lu (Luxembourg Government)Government sitesChecked on
Required amounts income requirementsImmigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)Government sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card in RomaniaEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card - SlovakiaEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
EU Blue Card - SloveniaEuropean Commission, EU Immigration PortalGovernment sitesChecked on
Apply for an EU Blue Card for highly qualified employment in SwedenMigrationsverketGovernment sitesChecked on
New rules for work permits come into force (1 June 2026)MigrationsverketGovernment sitesChecked on
Secondary sources
GMS Flash Alert 2026-018: Belgium - Updated 2026 salary criteria for work and single permitsKPMGSecondary sourcessecondary sourceChecked on
Act on Amendments to the Foreigners Act NN 40/2025Jasaragic, Mamut & Stojan (law firm)Secondary sourcessecondary sourceChecked on
Increase in salary requirements for EU Blue Cards from 1 May 2026KPMG Czech RepublicSecondary sourcessecondary sourceChecked on
Law 5275/2026 – Legal immigration policies and integration of Directive (EU) 2024/1233EY GreeceSecondary sourcessecondary sourceChecked on
Overview of Greece's New Immigration Legislation (Law 5275/2026)MondaqSecondary sourcessecondary sourceChecked on
Editorial policy

Cookies on this site

Two first-party cookies count visits on our own server. No Google Analytics, no ad cookies; “Necessary only” turns counting off.

  • Your cookie choice (365 days)
  • Visit count (first-party)

Change it later on the Cookie Policy page.Cookie Policy

Accept allNecessary only
EU Blue Card 2026: salary thresholds by country | Clearfile