EU Blue Card 2025: new salary thresholds and rules

In 2025, the European Union has significantly revamped the EU Blue Card program in an effort to make it easier for highly skilled non-EU professionals to access the European labor market. Changes include lowering minimum salary requirements, shortening the minimum duration of the employment contract, expanding eligibility criteria and improving intra-EU mobility conditions.

Major changes to the EU Blue Card program in 2025

From 2025, updated rules for EU Blue Card holders and applicants come into force. They aim to simplify immigration for skilled professionals and make the European labor market more accessible to foreign talent. Below are the key changes that are important to consider.

EU Blue Card holder

Lowering minimum salary requirements

Many EU countries have revised the minimum salary thresholds for EU Blue Card eligibility:

  • Germany: €48,300 per year for general occupations and €43,759.80 for shortage occupations.
  • Sweden: 1.25 times the national average salary, down from 1.5.
  • Austria: €3,678 per month.
  • Luxembourg: €63,408 per year.
  • Hungary: HUF 883,671 (€2,166) per month; for some medical professions, HUF 706,937 (€1,733).

Reduction of the minimum length of employment contract

An employment contract of 6 months or more is now sufficient to apply for an EU Blue Card, instead of the previous 12 months.

Consideration of professional experience instead of a diploma

Candidates with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience can apply for the EU Blue Card without a university degree, especially in the fields of IT, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Easier change of employer

In some countries, such as Sweden, EU Blue Card holders can change employers without having to submit a new visa application, just notify the immigration authorities.

Improved intra-EU mobility

EU Blue Card holders can move to another EU country after 12 months of employment while retaining their work permit.

Moving to an EU country through the EU Blue Card program

The EU Blue Card reforms in 2025 have significantly simplified the immigration process for highly skilled professionals from non-EU countries. Lower salary requirements, consideration of professional experience, shorter minimum duration of employment contract and improved mobility conditions make Europe more attractive for global talent.

If you are a professional in IT, engineering, healthcare or other high-demand fields, now is a great time to consider moving to an EU country through the EU Blue Card program.