IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? France’s minimum salary for EU Blue Card holders has increased modestly to €53,836.50 gross per year.

What does the change mean? Companies hiring non-EU nationals on EU Blue Cards must meet the new salary thresholds.

  • Implementation time frame:Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected:EU Blue Cards.
  • Who is affected:Companies employing non-EU nationals on EU Blue Cards.
  • Business impact:Businesses should factor the new salary thresholds into their budgets.
  • Next steps:Employers should be sure they are compliant with the salary minimums.

Background: France recently raised EU Blue Card salary minimums for highly qualified non-EU workers from €53,331 to €53,836.50 gross per year – an increase of roughly 1 percent. New salary requirements for a number of other categories of workers went into effect Jan. 1.

In addition to the minimum salary requirements, the salaries paid to foreign workers must be on par with what French workers earn in the same positions and must conform to applicable labor regulations or collective bargaining agreements.

BAL Analysis: Employers must be sure they are in compliance with all salary requirements when hiring highly qualified non-EU nationals. Applications will not be accepted if minimum salary requirements are not met.

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

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.