EU Blue Card Salary Minimums Increased

The Member States of the European Union that are implementing the EU Blue Card Directive have published the new minimum salaries – that is, the threshold salaries – required to be paid by EU employers when hiring non-EU citizens through the Blue Card Scheme.

An EU Blue Card is for highly-qualified workers from outside the EU and grants them the right to live as well as work in an EU country, provided they fulfil certain conditions. In order to be eligible for an EU Blue Card, the individual must have – ·       Higher professional qualifications [such as a university degree], and ·       A binding job offer or employment contact with a high salary [when compared to the average where the job is located in the EU]. Certain EU countries might offer other employment permits for highly qualified workers, that is, in addition to the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is applicable in 25 out of 27 EU countries. As Denmark and Ireland have their own rules for hiring of highly-qualified workers, the EU Blue Card does not apply in these 2 countries.

The EU Blue Card is not for entrepreneurs or self-employed work. As per the European Commission, in order to be eligible for the EU Blue Card, the worker’s “annual gross salary must be high, at least one and a half times the average national salary - except when the lower salary threshold applies”.

The concerned authorities of each of the EU Member States have asked employers to comply with the minimum salary requirements starting from January 1, 2021.

The minimum salary requirement for EU Blue Card holder will be increased in non-shortage as well as shortage occupations.

https://youtu.be/v1uqJxPTmmg

One of the leading countries when it comes to hiring third-country citizens for work overseas in Germany for shortage and non-shortage occupations, Germany has increased the minimum salary requirements both for first-time applicants and renewals.

Germany increases minimum salary for EU Blue Card [effective January 1, 2021]
Shortage occupations	From €43,056 to €44,304 annual salary
Non-shortage occupations	From €55,200 to €56,800 annual salary

Offering 90% of the allocated cards annually, Germany is the highest approver of Blue Cards in the EU. There are many different cards of Germany residency permits available.

The changes will affect individuals that have either received their EU Blue Cards after January 1, 2021 or pending applications filed before the end of 2020 that have a contract start date on or later than January 1, 2021.

The Netherlands publishes new salary thresholds

Increase in monthly salary from €5,403 to €5,567

As per immigration experts, the wages of foreigners already holding a Highly Skilled Migrant permit or an EU Blue Card will not have to be raised for meeting the 2021 salary level. The new salary threshold will be required to be met only if a renewal is to be filed.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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