Salary Threshold

What This Criterion Requires

Your gross annual salary in the employment contract or binding offer must meet or exceed the threshold set by the member state for the application year. Many states use a multiple of average gross pay; some publish fixed euro amounts. Reduced thresholds may apply to shortage occupations, recent graduates, or specific IT specialist pathways — but only when national rules say so.

Thresholds change annually. Example (Germany, 2026): standard and reduced euro floors are published by the interior ministry each year — always check the figure for your lodging date, not last year's blog post.

What Authorities Look For

• An explicit gross annual figure (or monthly figure that clearly annualizes)
• Comparison to the correct year's published threshold for that state and category
• Whether bonuses / equity are counted under local rules (often they are not)
• For reduced thresholds: proof you are on a shortage list, a recent graduate, or another qualifying category

Evidence Strength