IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Salary thresholds for highly skilled foreign employees, executive-level personnel and EU Blue Card holders will increase slightly beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

What does the change mean? The 2016 gross annual salary minimums for B permits are: €39,824 for highly skilled employees and €66,442 for executive-level personnel. The new salary minimum for EU Blue Cards is €51,494.

  • Implementation time frame: Jan. 1, 2016.
  • Visas/permits affected: B work permits for highly skilled employees and executive-level personnel; EU Blue Cards.
  • Who is affected: Companies applying for B work permits or EU Blue Cards.
  • Business impact: The 2016 salary thresholds represent a minor increase over 2015 thresholds.

Background: The salaries are indexed annually according to contract salaries. The 2016 salary thresholds are approximately 0.5 percent higher than 2015 rates (€39,802 for highly skilled employees, €66,406 for executive-level managers, €51,466 for EU Blue Card holders).

BAL Analysis: Employers should follow the new salary requirements for foreign workers in 2016. Applications that do not meet the salary thresholds will be rejected.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Belgium. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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