EU Blue Card Salary Level to Increase

At a Glance

Effective May 1, 2019, the minimum monthly salary for EU Blue Card applicants in the Czech Republic will increase to CZK 47,828, up 8.1 percent from last year. Employers must increase salaries of current EU Blue Card holders, pending and new applications by May 1, 2019 if required.

The situation

Effective May 1, 2019, the minimum monthly salary for EU Blue Card applicants in the Czech Republic will increase to CZK 47,828, up 8.1 percent from last year.

A closer look

• Existing employees. Employers of foreign nationals currently under an EU Blue Card must increase the foreign national’s salary by May 1, 2019 to comply with the new rule, if required.

• Initial and renewal applications. Employers of foreign nationals seeking to obtain or renew an EU Blue Card on or after May 1, 2019 must increase the foreign national’s salary to comply with the new rule. Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary will be refused.
• Pending applications. Employers of foreign nationals with pending work permit applications as of May 1, 2019 must increase the foreign national’s salary to comply with the new rule. Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary will be refused.

Reminders on other requirements

• Benefits and allowances. As before, benefits and allowances may not be included in the minimum salary calculation.
• Salary amount in writing. As before, the salary amount must be specified in the employment contract.
• Increased amounts for dependents. As before, in case of accompanying dependents, the foreign national must have 15 times the minimum subsistence amount for the first month of stay, and twice the minimum subsistence amount for every consecutive months of stay. The minimum subsistence amount is currently CZK 2,200.

Background

Czech authorities increased the minimum monthly salary requirement for foreign workers under the Work Permit and Employee Card in January 2019. The salary threshold for the EU Blue Card is based on the average gross monthly salary, as set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and therefore typically takes longer to confirm. The current EU Blue Card salary threshold is in effect from May 1, 2019 until April 30, 2020.

Looking ahead

Czech authorities plan to relax many immigration rules via a draft bill currently pending with the Czech Senate. Fragomen will report on relevant developments once these rules are approved by the Czech Senate.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to emea@fragomen.com.