Luxembourg tightens conditions for obtaining the EU Blue Card: salary threshold increased to €63,408

From 18 March 2025, new rules for obtaining an EU Blue Card in Luxembourg came into force. The minimum salary level for highly skilled third-country nationals is now €63,408 per year - €4,440 more than before. This 7.53% increase reflects the country's willingness to revise its admission standards for its skilled migration programme.

According to the official portal of the Guichet.lu administration, the new conditions apply to all applications submitted from 18 March onwards. Those who applied before this date will be considered under the previous rules - with a salary minimum of €58,968.

Luxembourg has consistently demonstrated a high level of recruitment of professionals under the EU Blue Card programme. In 2024, 825 cards were issued, of which 523 were issued in the second half of the year. The peak was in October (118 issuances) and the minimum was in September (70 issuances). This indicates a growing interest in the Luxembourg labour market, despite the rather strict selection conditions.

In addition to the salary, candidates must prove higher professional education or qualifications relevant to the position applied for. An employment contract of at least six months' duration, a valid passport and, if necessary, a visa to enter the Schengen area are required.

Luxembourg is not the only country revising the parameters of access to its Blue Card system. Austria, Germany and Hungary have taken similar measures. Despite labour shortages in a number of sectors, governments are seeking to tighten requirements to screen out unsuitable applicants and focus on attracting truly highly skilled professionals.