While last March the government has decided to change strategy and has decided to reduce the salary level required to apply for an EU Blue Card. This follows a European directive. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the decision to lower the thresholds is motivated by the need to attract talent in order to increase Luxembourg's competitiveness. The Grand-Ducal regulation of 20 June 2024, published on 27 June 2024, stipulates that the minimum wage threshold may henceforth not be lower than the average gross annual wage, which is currently set at €58,968 by the ministerial regulation of 15 March 2024.

Applicants will therefore have to earn at least €58,968 a year, compared with €88,452 or €70,762 previously, depending on their sector and occupation. The distinction between employment sectors for highly qualified workers has been removed.

Another small change: the regulation states that when the Immigration Department assesses whether the EU Blue Card holder has sufficient financial resources to withdraw or not renew the card, it must now also consider the possible contributions of family members to household income.

This Grand-Ducal regulation follows on from the law of 4 June 2024, which already amended the law on issuing European Blue Cards. The law came into force on 1 July. Third-country nationals must have an employment contract lasting at least six months (previously 12 months) and must have the professional skills required to practise their profession. In addition, Blue Card holders can change employer after just one year, compared with two years previously. Family reunification procedures have been simplified for Blue Card holders. Finally, in the event of losing their job, workers will be able to benefit from unemployment with a job search period of three to six months.

EU Blue Card holders are now entitled to subsidiary self-employment alongside their main job. They are also entitled to education, vocational training and recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other professional qualifications, within certain limits.

By 2023, Luxembourg had issued 1,280 European Blue Cards, including 797 first-time applications. In the first half of 2024, 417 applications were submitted to the Directorate-General for Immigration, including 287 first applications. Of these, the vast majority were accepted (93%).