Blue Card EU salary 2026 published

From 2026, the salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card are to rise by around five percent . This is due to the planned adjustment of the so-called social security calculation parameters , which the federal government sets anew every year. This adjustment affects not only social security contributions, but also key thresholds in residence law – and thus directly affects the migration of skilled workers. With the new regulation, the salary limit for a Blue Card is expected to rise to €50,700 gross per year next year. For occupations with a shortage of skilled workers, which require approval from the ZAV (Federal Office for the Implementation of the Skilled Labour Market), the threshold will in future be around €45,934 . This means that the Blue Card will become slightly more expensive, but it will continue to be the most attractive residence permit for highly qualified specialists from third countries.

Impact on companies and skilled workers

Companies that employ international staff or want to recruit new skilled workers from abroad should already take the new values into account. Anyone preparing employment contracts for 2026 should ensure that the gross salary exceeds the new minimum limits . The same applies to extensions of existing Blue Cards if the salary is tight. This will require many human resources departments to further adapt their internal processes. While the Blue Card remains a powerful tool for enabling skilled immigration, the administrative leeway for lower starting salaries is shrinking. Companies that recruit internationally should therefore check early on which positions meet the new requirements and whether salary adjustments may be necessary.

Why salary thresholds are rising

The annual increase results from the mechanism of the social security calculation parameters . The federal government is legally obliged to regularly adjust these limits to general wage developments . This is intended to ensure that social security contribution burdens are fairly distributed and pension levels are secured in the long term. As of January 1, 2026, the contribution assessment limits in statutory health and pension insurance are to increase. In statutory health insurance, the upper limit will in future be €69,750 per year, and the compulsory insurance limit will be €77,400. In general pension insurance, the monthly assessment limit will rise to €8,450, and the provisional average wage, which forms the basis for calculation, will be raised to €51,944. Since the salary limit for the Blue Card is directly linked to this average wage, each adjustment automatically leads to a new threshold.

Conclusion Blue Card Salary 2026

The planned increase in the salary thresholds is not only a political decision, but also a legally mandated adjustment to income trends. Nevertheless, it has noticeable consequences: For skilled workers , it means that access to the Blue Card will be somewhat more challenging. For employers , it means that salary offers will have to be higher in the future to remain eligible for the Blue Card. Those already planning for 2026 should consider the new values as a given. Even though the regulation has yet to be formally adopted, no major changes are expected.