Minimum Salary Increases for European Blue Card

Belgium has increased the minimum salary requirement for its European Blue Card program. Blue Card holders must earn for 2014 an annual gross salary of at least €50,974, a two percent increase from the prior €49,995. Initial and renewal Blue Card applications that fail to demonstrate that the foreign national will meet the new salary threshold will be rejected.

Belgium’s Federal Public Service of Employment and Labor reviews minimum salary requirements for Belgian work authorization programs on an annual basis. Compliance with salary requirements is generally enforced by the regional employment agency where the work authorization application is filed.

What This Means for Employers

Employers planning to file new or renewal applications for a European Blue Card should incorporate the increased salary threshold and costs into their corporate budgets. Fragomen can assist clients with reviewing the new salary requirements prior to filing initial or renewal Blue Card applications.

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].