EU Blue Card Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an EU Blue Card, you must meet specific requirements related to your qualifications, job offer, and salary. Here's everything you need to know.
Higher Education
University degree (3+ years) or 5 years professional experience
Job Contract
Binding job offer for at least 6 months in an EU country
Salary Threshold
At least 1.0x the average national salary (0.8x for shortage jobs)
Non-EU National
Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland
1. Qualification Requirements
You must demonstrate you are a "highly qualified" worker through one of these paths:
Path A: Higher Education Qualification
A degree from a recognized higher education institution with a study duration of at least 3 years. This includes:
- Bachelor's degree (3-4 years)
- Master's degree
- PhD or Doctorate
- Professional degrees (law, medicine, engineering where applicable)
Path B: Professional Experience (New in 2021)
The revised directive allows professional experience to substitute for formal education in certain cases:
- 5 years of professional experience at a level comparable to higher education qualifications, OR
- 3 years of professional experience if working in a shortage occupation
2. Job Offer Requirements
You must have a valid job offer or employment contract that meets these criteria:
At least 6 months (reduced from 12 months under the new rules)
The job must correspond to your educational or professional qualifications
The employer must be established in an EU member state
Real work activity, not for circumventing immigration rules
What Doesn't Qualify
- Self-employment or freelance work
- Seasonal workers
- Posted workers or intra-corporate transferees (different permit)
- Au pairs or volunteers
- Asylum seekers still in procedure (with some exceptions)
3. Salary Requirements
Your gross annual salary must meet minimum thresholds set by each member state. Under the 2021 reform, countries can set thresholds within a defined range:
Standard Occupations
of the average gross annual salary in the country
Shortage Occupations
of the average gross annual salary (minimum allowed)
2024 Salary Thresholds by Popular Countries
| Country | Standard Threshold | Shortage Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | €45,300/year | €41,042/year |
| 🇫🇷 France | €39,000/year | €31,200/year |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | €46,107/year | €36,886/year |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | €46,344/year | €37,075/year |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | €33,908/year | €27,126/year |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | €22,500/year | €18,000/year |
Thresholds are updated annually based on average salary data. Always verify current thresholds with official sources. See our complete salary requirements guide for all countries.
4. Shortage Occupations
Each EU member state maintains a list of occupations experiencing labor shortages. If your job falls under a shortage occupation, you benefit from:
- Lower salary threshold (typically 0.8x instead of 1.0-1.6x)
- Professional experience may qualify with only 3 years (instead of 5)
- Potentially faster processing
Common Shortage Occupation Categories
IT & Technology
Software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts, IT managers
Healthcare
Doctors, nurses, medical specialists, pharmacists, care workers
Engineering
Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical engineers
Science & Research
Researchers, physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians
Finance & Accounting
Financial analysts, accountants (in some countries)
Construction
Architects, quantity surveyors, construction managers
5. Additional Requirements
Valid Travel Document
Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay period, with at least two blank pages.
Health Insurance
Comprehensive health insurance coverage or enrollment in the destination country's social security system through your employer.
No Security Concerns
Clean criminal record and no threat to public policy, security, or health. Some countries require police clearance certificates.
No Immigration Violations
No outstanding deportation orders, entry bans, or serious violations of immigration rules in any EU/Schengen country.
Who Cannot Apply for a Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is not available to:
- EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals (already have work rights)
- Family members of EU citizens exercising free movement rights
- Long-term residents already holding EU long-term residence permit
- Refugees and asylum seekers whose status is still being determined (with limited exceptions)
- Seasonal workers, au pairs, or students (different categories apply)
- Self-employed persons or freelancers
Ready to Apply?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, learn about the application process and required documents.