In 2021, the average adjusted full-time salary in the European Union was €33,500 per year. Eurostat is publishing this indicator for the first time.

The Blue Card Directive establishes that this indicator is to be used to determine the average gross annual salary in each EU Member State for the purpose of granting work permits to highly qualified workers. The aim of the Directive is to attract highly qualified workers to the EU through more flexible admission conditions, enhanced rights, and the opportunity for EU Blue Card holders to move more easily to another EU Member State.

The indicator is based on a combination of national accounts and Labour Force Survey (LFS) data. It is adjusted by expressing part-time salaries as full-time equivalents.

In 2021, the highest average adjusted annual full-time salary in EU Member States was in Luxembourg (€72,200), followed by Denmark (€63,300) and Ireland (€50,300). Conversely, the lowest values for this indicator were recorded in Bulgaria (€10,300), Hungary (€12,600) and Romania (€13,000).