Czech Republic raises Blue Card salary floor to CZK 73,823

What changed in the Blue Card rules

The Czech Republic raised the EU Blue Card minimum monthly salary to CZK 73,823 gross from May 1, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said. That’s about €2,900, based on 1.5 times the 2025 national average wage of CZK 590,580.

The threshold applies to highly qualified non-EU workers in jobs that require higher education or specialized skills. It covers new applications, pending cases decided after May 1, renewals and amendments, with existing holders given until their next renewal or April 30, 2027 to meet the new level.

Who feels the higher bar

The change mainly affects skilled expats in fields such as IT, engineering and research, where employers may need to raise pay to keep Blue Card hires eligible. It does not apply to digital nomads or tourists, since the Blue Card is tied to employed, high-skill migration.

Families can still benefit from Blue Card rules, including faster reunification in some cases. But applicants now need a job contract of at least one year at or above the new salary floor, plus proof of higher education, a vacancy ID and other required documents.

What applicants need to do next

Forms for both employers and applicants have been updated and are mandatory. Blue Card holders must report job changes within 3 days or risk revocation and applications are filed in person at the Ministry of Interior or Czech embassies.

Fees are CZK 2,500 for in-country filings and CZK 5,000 from abroad. Processing takes 90 days for new applications, 60 days for extensions and 30 to 60 days for switches from another EU Blue Card.

Read our full Czech Republic guide for the complete picture.