EU Blue Card Salary Requirements Increase Across Europe in 2025

As labour shortages continue to impact various sectors across Europe, several EU countries have decided to increase the salary requirements for foreign professionals seeking an EU Blue Card in 2025.

Despite the ongoing demand for skilled workers, Austria, Germany, and Hungary have implemented higher income thresholds, making it more challenging for non-EU professionals to qualify.

The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit designed for highly qualified non-EU workers, allowing them to live and work in an EU member state. The salary thresholds help ensure that only skilled professionals who meet the required criteria can obtain the permit.

Which Countries Have Increased EU Blue Card Salary Requirements?

As of January 1, 2025, Austria, Germany, and Hungary have introduced new, higher salary thresholds for EU Blue Card applicants.

Here’s a breakdown of the latest requirements:

Austria

Austria has increased the minimum salary requirement for EU Blue Card applicants to €3,678 gross per month, reflecting a 7.07% rise from the previous year’s requirement of €3,418.

Validity: The Austrian EU Blue Card remains valid for two years.
Processing time: Applications typically take around eight weeks to be processed.

Germany

Germany’s new EU Blue Card salary thresholds vary based on the applicant’s occupation:

Non-shortage occupations: Foreign professionals in general sectors must now earn at least €48,300 annually, up from €45,300.
Shortage occupations: Applicants in high-demand fields now need a €43,759.80 annual salary, an increase from €41,041.80.
Young professionals: Those who have graduated within the past three years must also meet the €43,759.80 annual salary requirement, up from €41,041.80.
Validity: The German EU Blue Card is valid for four years.
Processing time: Applications can take up to 90 days.

Hungary

Hungary has also raised its salary threshold for EU Blue Card applicants:

General salary requirement: Increased to HUF 883,671 (€2,166) gross per month, up from HUF 773,649 (€1,896).
Exempted occupations: Professionals such as general practitioners, pharmacists, optometrists, dieticians, physiotherapists, public health nurses, paramedics, and midwives have a lower salary threshold of HUF 706,937 (€1,733).

Validity: The EU Blue Card in Hungary is issued for a period of at least one year and up to four years.

Processing time: Applications can take up to 90 days.

Sweden Eases EU Blue Card Rules

While Austria, Germany, and Hungary have raised their salary thresholds, Sweden has gone in the opposite direction, simplifying the EU Blue Card process for foreign professionals.

As of January 1, 2025, applicants in Sweden face less strict requirements, making it easier for skilled workers to obtain the permit.

These salary hikes reflect the EU’s ongoing efforts to regulate skilled migration and ensure fair wages for non-EU professionals. However, they may also pose challenges for some highly qualified workers looking to move to Europe. As rules continue to evolve, prospective applicants should stay informed about the latest changes in their target countries.

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