EU Blue Card Salary Level Increased

The situation

Effective January 9, 2020, the minimum monthly salary for EU Blue Card applicants in Romania has increased to RON 10,858, up 5.2 percent from 2019.

The exchange rate at the time of publication of this alert is 1 RON to 0.23 USD.

A closer look

• Existing employees. Employers of EU Blue Card holders must increase foreign nationals’ salaries to comply with the new rule.
• Initial and renewal applications. Employers of foreign nationals seeking to obtain or renew an EU Blue Card on or after January 9, 2020 must increase foreign nationals’ salaries 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 EU Blue Card applications as of January 9, 2020 must increase foreign nationals’ salaries to comply with the new rule. Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary will be refused.

 

Reminders on other requirements

• Additional funds for dependents. As before, foreign nationals must additionally have access to RON 2,350 gross per month per accompanying dependent.
• Sufficient funds. As before, the salary must be sufficient to sustain the foreign national and any dependents for the entire duration of stay.
• Benefits and allowances. As before, benefits and allowances may only be included if they are specified in the employment contract (as registered in the Employees Evidence Registry system); guaranteed and fixed; and not paid in kind. Holiday allowance cannot be included.

 

Background

Romania updated the national minimum wage, which impacted salary levels for EU Intracompany Transferee (ICT) Permits and Work and Residence Permits for Local Hires – the main work authorization categories – on January 1, 2020.

The EU Blue Card salary level is set at twice the national medium gross salary, a different standard, which was recently updated. Salary increases between five and 10 percent are typical for Romania.

Looking ahead

Fragomen expects more European countries to publish updated 2020 salary levels in the coming weeks.

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 [email protected].