Work visa salary thresholds 2026

Enter the salary in your job offer and choose a country: we show which work visas it meets and how much it falls short of the others.

Last checked: 2026-10-19

Country Gross annual salary in the offer

Country	Route	Minimum per year
Germany	EU Blue Card (general)	€50,700
Germany	EU Blue Card (shortage jobs and recent graduates)	€45,934
Netherlands	Highly skilled migrant (30 and over)	€71,304
Netherlands	Highly skilled migrant (under 30)	€52,284
Netherlands	Highly skilled migrant (reduced, graduates)	€37,464
Netherlands	EU Blue Card	€71,304
Netherlands	EU Blue Card (reduced)	€57,048
United Kingdom	Skilled Worker visa (general)	£41,700
United Kingdom	Skilled Worker (lower threshold, some cases)	£33,400
Ireland	Critical Skills Employment Permit (listed jobs)	€40,904
Ireland	General Employment Permit	€36,605
Ireland	Employment permit, specified roles (care, meat, horticulture)	€32,691

Netherlands: the threshold is monthly excluding the 8% holiday allowance, shown here ×12. The UK also requires the “going rate” for your occupation, whichever is higher. Ireland: thresholds apply from 1 March 2026 and are reviewed yearly; recent graduates have a lower threshold.

Why the threshold matters

Most skilled-work visas require the offered salary to reach a minimum that changes every year. Even a small shortfall means refusal, whatever your qualifications, so check the number before you sign and negotiate if you are close.

Sources

A first orientation; the authorities of each country decide.