For hiring highly qualified non-EU professionals, the EU Blue Card is the most useful single route in Europe. The 2021 directive made it materially easier to use, and 2026 thresholds are now set across member states.
- The Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU citizens.
- The revised Directive (EU) 2021/1883 lowered salary thresholds, allowed shorter contracts (from 6 months), and accepts experience in place of a degree in some sectors.
- Thresholds are national and sit roughly at 1.0 to 1.6x the average gross salary, with reduced floors for shortage occupations.
- It also improved intra-EU mobility and family reunification.
What the EU Blue Card is
The EU Blue Card is a work-and-residence permit for highly qualified workers from outside the EU/EEA who have a qualifying job offer in a member state. For employers, it is the cleanest way to bring senior technical, engineering, medical and IT talent into the EU on a stable, renewable basis.
What changed under the 2021 directive
Member states implemented the revised Directive (EU) 2021/1883 by November 2023. The headline changes that matter to employers:
- Lower salary thresholds, widening the pool of eligible roles.
- Shorter qualifying contracts, from a minimum of six months.
- Experience can replace a degree in certain sectors (for example at least three years of relevant IT experience).
- Easier intra-EU mobility and faster family reunification.
Eligibility
A candidate generally qualifies if they are a non-EU/EEA citizen with higher professional qualifications (or accepted equivalent experience), a suitable job offer in an EU country, and a salary meeting that country's Blue Card threshold.
2026 salary thresholds
Thresholds are set nationally and updated each year. Recent 2026 figures include:
| Country | Standard threshold (2026) | Shortage / reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | €50,700 / year | €45,934.20 for bottleneck occupations |
| France | €59,373 / year | Set at 1.5x the reference wage |
| Spain | ~€40,000 to €41,000 / year | Indexed to ~1.5x the average wage |
Thresholds are revised annually and differ by member state and occupation. Always confirm the live figure for the specific country and role before making an offer.
What it means for employers
The lower thresholds and experience-based routes mean the Blue Card now reaches well beyond the very top of the pay scale, especially for shortage occupations. For roles that do not meet Blue Card criteria, national routes (such as Germany's skilled-worker provisions) often apply instead. A staffing partner can map the right route per role and country and handle the documentation. See our guide to Germany's Skilled Immigration Act.
Frequently asked questions
Does the EU Blue Card require a university degree? +
Not always. The revised directive lets several member states accept at least three years of relevant professional experience instead of a degree in certain sectors, notably IT.
Can a Blue Card holder move to another EU country? +
Yes. Intra-EU mobility was made easier under the 2021 directive, allowing qualifying holders to move to a second member state more simply after a period in the first.
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