Definition
A salary threshold is a minimum annual gross salary requirement that must be met by a job offer for the applicant to be eligible for a particular work permit. For the EU Blue Card, Directive 2021/1883/EU sets a minimum threshold of at least 1.0× the average gross annual salary in the host member state (reduced to 0.8× for shortage occupations or recent graduates). Individual countries may set higher thresholds. Germany's 2024 threshold for the standard EU Blue Card is approximately €45,300 gross per year, rising to ~€58,400 for non-shortage occupations.
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Related terms
EU Blue Card
Blaue Karte EU
An EU-wide work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU workers. Requires a job offer meeting a minimum salary threshold and recognised qualifications.
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Labour Market Test
A requirement for employers to demonstrate they could not find a suitable EEA candidate before hiring a non-EU worker for a specific position.
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Regulated Profession
A profession for which access or practice requires specific qualifications formally recognised by a competent national authority, such as medicine, law, or architecture.
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Work Permit
An official authorisation granting a non-citizen the legal right to be employed or self-employed in a country, usually issued alongside or embedded in a residence permit.
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