EU Blue Card: What is it and what is it for?

The European Blue Card is a work permit to undertake employment in Europe. This blue card grants entry and residence to highly qualified workers.

The Blue Card to work in Europe was introduced by the European Council in 2009 and is designed for third-country nationals who wish to come to Europe for professional reasons.

The scheme was updated under the revised Blue Card Directive. This directive has applied since November 17, 2021 and became law in EU member states on November 18, 2023.

BENEFITS OF THE EU BLUE CARD FOR SKILLED WORKERS

The revised Blue Card Directive makes the requirements for the Blue Card easier to meet so that more international talent can relocate to Europe.

Benefits for highly skilled workers include:

IS THE BLUE CARD REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE EU?

According to the nationality of the foreigner and other requirements, it is necessary to apply for either the Blue Card or a D-Type work visa.

Whether a worker should apply for a Blue Card or national work visa depends on the type of employment they will carry out. Blue Cards are only for highly skilled workers.

Blue Cards are issued by EU Member States. Ireland and Denmark do not grant Blue Cards.

ETIAS will not replace the Blue Card, as ETIAS will simply be an electronic travel authorisation to enter Europe for tourism or business. You can find out more about ETIAS for business travel and other short-term business permits at the end of this article.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE EUROPEAN BLUE CARD?

The EU Blue Card can only be applied for by people who are highly qualified in their professions. Non-EU foreigners who are going to carry out a work activity for which a higher education qualification is required can obtain the Blue Card.

The Blue Card has been designed to attract talent and is intended for skilled people who wish to develop their skills or work in Europe. Each European country determines the number of Blue Cards it grants each year.

In the words of the Vice-President Commission for Promoting the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, the Blue Card should “help sustain economic growth, respond to labour market needs and increase productivity.”

WHAT IS A HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATION IN THE EU?

People with a higher education qualification are those who have followed an educational training of at least 3 years.

This must have provided the level of qualification necessary to exercise a profession requiring a high level of training or to enter an advanced research programme.

Under the Revised Blue Card Directive, petitioners with professional experience equivalent to a higher education qualification in specific fields are also eligible.

EU BLUE CARD HOLDERS CAN BE ACCOMPANIED BY FAMILY MEMBERS

Family members can accompany EU Blue Card holders. They also have the right to work in the EU Member State.

Blue Card holders and their accompanying family members can enter, re-enter and stay in the Member State that issued the card.

Families may get the right to move, live, and work in another EU countries after legally living in the initial Member State for 12 months.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BLUE CARD TO WORK IN EUROPE

Depending on the individual country, the application can be submitted by the person concerned or by their employer.

Applications are made to the competent national authorities in the country where the person would like to work. Some countries apply an application fee.

Each country in the EU determines the number of employees they admit.

EU BLUE CARD APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

People who wish to apply for the European Blue Card must present:

WHEN CAN AN EU MEMBER STATE REJECT AN EU BLUE CARD APPLICATION?

EU member countries must reject the application for a Blue Card if the person does not meet the above conditions or if the documents have been obtained illegally, or have been falsified or tampered with. Those who wish to obtain a Blue Card also cannot present a threat to EU security, public order, or public health.

Applications may also be rejected if the vacancy could be filled by a national of the country, an EU citizen, or a third-country citizen residing in the EU. Other grounds for rejection include a lack of professionals in this field in the applicant’s home country.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM SALARY TO GET AN EU BLUE CARD?

As indicated above, workers must earn a salary at least 1.6 times the average gross salary in the country they are applying to. This may be lowered if the profession is in high demand.

This means that each EU Member State has a different salary threshold. In 2024, the minimum salary in some European countries is as follows:

Employees who do not meet this requirement need a D-type work visa from an EU Member State.

HOW LONG IS AN EU BLUE CARD VALID FOR?

The EU directive states that Blue Cards are valid for a minimum of 24 months. If the work period of shorter, the permit is valid for 3 months after the end of the contract.

EU Blue Card holders and their families can enter and stay in the EU country that issued the card.

CAN ASYLUM SEEKERS BENEFIT FROM THE EU BLUE CARD?

Under the 2021 revised Blue Card Directive, highly skilled refugees and asylum seekers living in the EU can apply for an EU Blue Card from any Member State, not just the one they live in.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson commented: “Today's agreement is a key element of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum that will allow us to normalise our migration policy. New rules will make it easier to work and move within the EU and will recognise the potential of highly skilled workers from diverse backgrounds, including beneficiaries of international protection.”

WORKING IN THE EU WITHOUT A BLUE CARD

EU Member States offer their own work visas and permits. Non-EU citizens who do not qualify for the Blue Card may be eligible for a national work visa.

Several EU nations have modified their work permit requirements recently to manage labour shortages.

Here are some examples of work permit requirements for different European countries.

FRANCE’S TALENT PASSPORT

The France Talent Passport is a multi-year residence permit designed to attract skilled foreign workers and self-employed individuals to contribute to the country's economic growth. Here are some key points about it:

Benefits:

Eligibility:

GERMANY’S SKILLED WORKERS IMMIGRATION ACT

Germany introduced the Skilled Workers Immigration Act in March 2020, to help increase the number of qualified workers from third countries.

Workers who have completed qualified vocational training in Germany or equivalent abroad and those with a higher education degree or equivalent may be considered a qualified professional.

Benefits for skilled workers:

German opportunity card from June 2024

From June 2024, job seekers from outside the EU can apply for an ‘Opportunity Card’. It lets foreigners stay in Germany to seek employment. Skilled workers with recognised qualifications can get the card without extra requirements. Other job seekers must show evidence of a university degree or vocational qualification.

Candidates earn points for their qualifications, language skills, work experience, and other criteria. At least 6 points are needed to get the card.

WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS IN SPAIN

The Spanish government is working on digitizing the work permit application process. This aims to speed things up and reduce administrative burdens.

There are initiatives to offer fast-track processing for certain occupations facing labour shortages, potentially leading to quicker permit approvals.

Following changes made in 2022, foreign students from non-EU countries can work in Spain for 30 hours per week while studying. They can also start working straight after graduation instead of waiting 3 years.

6-MONTH VISA FOR FOREIGN WORKERS IN PORTUGAL

There is a visa for foreigners who want to work in Portugal for up to 6 months. This visa is available to employees and self-employed workers who undergo an evaluation by the labour authority (IEFP). In some cases, it may be extended up to 1 year.

Long-term Portuguese work visas are required to work for more than 6 months in Portugal.

MALTA’S SPECIALIST EMPLOYEE INITIATIVE (SEI)

Malta introduced the ‘Specialist Employee Initiative' (SEI) in January 2024. This new work permit option is designed for highly skilled non-EU nationals.

Eligibility requirements include:

The standard processing time for SEI applications is 15 days. Permits are valid for 1 year and can be renewed for up to 3 additional years.

The SEI offers employers a new avenue to hire highly skilled foreign professionals, which is beneficial amid global labour shortages.

OTHER EU VISAS FOR BUSINESS AND WORK

The Blue Card and national work permits/visas are required to take up paid employment in Europe.

Other types of entry permits are available to third-country nationals carrying out short-term business activities, such as attending meetings or events.

ETIAS will be available from 2026 for people travelling to the EU on short business trips. Travellers not eligible for EU visa exemption and ETIAS must apply for a Schengen visa.

Digital nomad visas are issued to remote workers in some EU nations. It allows people to stay longer than 90 days without requiring a work contract.

The EU Parliament has also discussed introducing admission schemes for low- and medium-skilled overseas workers.