EU Blue Card jobs: salary thresholds and how to find employers

What the EU Blue Card actually requires

To qualify for an EU Blue Card you need three things: a recognised university degree or equivalent qualification of at least three years, a binding job offer or employment contract, and a salary that meets the national threshold for the country where you will work. The job must also be in a field that matches your qualification, though this rule is applied loosely in most member states.

The EU Blue Card Directive was updated in 2021 and most member states finished transposing the new rules by 2023. The revised directive lowered thresholds, added a faster path for shortage occupations, and made it easier to move between member states after 12 months instead of the previous 18.

• Recognised degree: bachelor's level or higher, or at least three years of equivalent professional training in some countries
• Job offer: must be for at least 6 months and in a regulated or skilled occupation
• Salary: must meet the national threshold, which varies by country and occupation type
• Application: submitted to the national immigration authority, not to the EU centrally

2026 salary thresholds by country

Each member state sets its own threshold as a multiple of the national average or median gross salary. Germany is the most popular destination, so its figures are the most searched. In 2026 the German threshold for most occupations sits at roughly 45,300 euros gross per year. For shortage occupations, which include IT specialists, engineers, doctors, and nurses, the lower threshold applies at around 35,100 euros gross per year.

Other major destinations have their own figures. The Netherlands threshold is approximately 46,000 euros for most roles and around 35,700 euros for shortage occupations. Austria sits close to Germany. France and Belgium are also popular and set thresholds in a similar range. Always verify the current figure with the official immigration authority of the specific country before you apply, because thresholds are adjusted annually.

• Germany general threshold: approximately 45,300 euros gross per year (2026)
• Germany shortage occupations: approximately 35,100 euros gross per year
• Netherlands general threshold: approximately 46,000 euros gross per year
• Netherlands shortage occupations: approximately 35,700 euros gross per year
• Shortage occupation lists differ by country; check the national list before assuming your role qualifies

Which jobs qualify most often

The EU Blue Card was designed with STEM and healthcare roles in mind, but it is not limited to them. Any role that requires a university degree and meets the salary threshold can qualify. In practice, the most common Blue Card holders work in software development, data engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, finance, architecture, and medicine.

Germany publishes a shortage occupation list called the Positivliste. Roles on this list benefit from the lower salary threshold and a faster processing time of around 15 business days rather than the standard 90 days. The list is updated regularly and currently includes software developers, IT architects, civil engineers, and several healthcare professions. If your occupation is not on the list, you can still apply under the general threshold.

• Software and IT roles: consistently on shortage lists across Germany, Netherlands, and Austria
• Engineering: mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineers qualify in most member states
• Healthcare: doctors, nurses, and pharmacists qualify, though credential recognition adds extra steps
• Finance and accounting: eligible if the salary threshold is met and a degree is held
• Architecture and urban planning: eligible in most member states

How to find employers who sponsor the EU Blue Card

Most large employers in Germany and the EU are familiar with the Blue Card process and will sponsor it for the right candidate. The card is employer-tied, meaning your employer must be named in the permit, but unlike some national visas there is no quota and no government fee paid by the employer beyond standard administrative costs.

The most reliable way to find willing employers is to search job boards that index German and EU postings and filter for roles that explicitly mention visa sponsorship or relocation support. LinkedIn, StepStone, and Indeed Germany are the main boards. On LinkedIn, use the filter 'On-site' combined with the country and add the phrase 'visa sponsorship' or 'relocation package' to your keyword search. On StepStone, filter by location and look for the relocation badge.

Mid-size and large technology companies, automotive groups, and consulting firms are the most consistent sponsors. Companies like SAP, Siemens, Bosch, Deutsche Telekom, and the major German banks have established HR processes for Blue Card applications. Startups in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg also sponsor regularly, particularly for engineering and product roles.

• Search LinkedIn with 'visa sponsorship' plus the job title and Germany or the target country
• Use StepStone.de and Indeed.de with English-language keywords; many postings are in English
• Check the company careers page directly for phrases like 'we support work permit applications' or 'relocation assistance'
• Look at the GTAI (Germany Trade and Invest) employer database for companies with international hiring history
• Reach out to recruiters who specialise in tech or engineering placements in Germany; they know which clients sponsor

Reading job postings carefully before you apply

Not every posting that looks eligible actually is. Some employers state they cannot sponsor visas even when the role and salary would qualify for a Blue Card. Others list a salary range where only the top end meets the threshold. Read the full posting before spending time on an application.

Look for the salary range, the contract type (permanent or fixed-term of at least six months), the location (remote-only roles based outside the EU do not qualify), and any explicit statement about visa support. If the salary is not listed, check Glassdoor or Levels.fyi for the company and role to estimate whether it is likely to meet the threshold before you apply.

Break-In Bad's assistant Omar reads the full job posting including location, visa requirements, and seniority level, then scores each role for your profile. Jobs scoring 75 percent or above are submitted automatically, so you do not waste credits on roles where the salary or visa terms make you ineligible. This is particularly useful when you are scanning dozens of German or EU postings at once.

After you have the job offer: the application process

Once you have a signed contract, you apply for the Blue Card at the German embassy or consulate in your home country, or at the local Auslaenderbehörde if you are already in Germany on another status. Processing times vary: shortage occupation roles can be processed in around 15 business days in Germany, while general roles take up to 90 days.

You will need your degree certificate with a certified translation if it is not in German or English, the employment contract, proof of health insurance, a valid passport, and the completed application form. Germany also requires credential recognition for regulated professions such as medicine and law, which is a separate process that can take several months and should be started before you accept a job offer.

The Blue Card is initially issued for four years, or for the duration of the contract plus three months if the contract is shorter. After 33 months you can apply for permanent residence, or after 21 months if you have B1 level German.

1. Get a signed employment contract that meets the salary threshold
2. Check whether your degree needs formal recognition in the target country
3. Gather documents: degree certificate, certified translation, contract, passport, health insurance proof
4. Submit the application at the embassy abroad or the Auslaenderbehörde in Germany
5. Wait for processing: 15 business days for shortage occupations, up to 90 days for general roles
6. Receive the Blue Card and register your address at the local Einwohnermeldeamt within two weeks of arrival