Talent mobility to Europe · Market entry into Europe and Indianamaste · bonjour · hello
Visas

EU Blue Card salary thresholds for 2026, compared

Blue Card thresholds rose again in January 2026. Here they are side by side, with the lower thresholds that help shortage occupations and recent graduates.

Checked October 2026 · Published 5 February 2026

The 2026 figures

Country Standard Lower threshold
Germany €50,700 a year (2025: €48,300) €45,934.20 (2025: €43,759.80)
Netherlands €5,942 a month €4,754 a month
France €59,373 a year none
Belgium, Brussels €4,748 a month none
Belgium, Flanders €63,586 a year none
Belgium, Wallonia €68,815 a year €55,052 for juniors
Spain €39,269.92 a year €31,415.94
Sweden SEK 53,625 a month none

Reading the table

  • Germany's lower threshold applies to shortage occupations, people within three years of graduating, and IT specialists without a degree.
  • Spain has the lowest threshold in absolute terms among these countries, Belgium's regions some of the highest.
  • Compare thresholds with local salary levels and living costs, not just with each other.