EU Blue Card: Everything you need to know

There is an increasing demand in the European Union for highly skilled workers from the UK to address the needs of specific labour and skill shortages. Therefore, to attract more highly competent workers from around the world, an EU Blue Card scheme was introduced. This scheme helped highly competent workers from the UK to work and reside in the European Union.

In 2016, the European Commission developed a new proposal that offered more benefits to attract highly skilled UK workers to the European Union via the EU Blue Card Scheme. These benefits include more rights and freedom to move between the EU states, flexibility of admission conditions, and more. This new directive became active in 2021, with an aim to simplify the visa application procedures, eligibility criteria and increase the rights of EU Blue Card holders and their families.

Only 24 countries in the European Union have transposed the directive into a law excluding Denmark and Ireland in 2023.

 

Important revisions of the EU Blue Card

Over the years, there have been many revisions to the EU Blue Cards. The last revision occurred in the year 2021, and it includes the following:

• Reduction of the duration of the job contract
• Updated list of shortage occupations
• Expansion of acceptable qualifications
• Less general income threshold
• Expedited visa processing for reputed EU employers
• Increased benefits of mobility within the European Union
• Scope to travel in the European Union
• Avail opportunities for self-employment and personal growth
• Favourable conditions to reunite with your family members
• Favourable conditions for holders during periods of unemployment
• Shorter duration for getting approval to change their employment
• Possibility to convert from other visas to an EU Blue Card if required

 

What is the EU Blue Card?

An EU Blue Card is granted to highly qualified workers from third-world countries and permits them to reside and work in any country in the European Union. They must have to qualify the following eligibility criteria in order to obtain an EU Blue Card:

• Having professional work experience
• A 3-year university degree
• Contract of employment for 1 year duration with a salary more than the national average of the residing country.

Third-country citizens who receive an EU Blue Card can stay in a European country for a period of 1 to 4 years and work in the EU member state. There are more than 24 countries currently in the European Union that offer the EU Blue Card.

 

Purpose of an EU Blue Card

The purpose of an EU Blue Card is to attract highly competent third-country citizens to apply for employment where there is a shortage of locally qualified labour in the EU countries or a shortage that is going to come up in the future.

 

Benefits of the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a golden ticket for skilled UK nationals interested in working and residing in the European Union. The EU Blue Card offers many benefits for both cardholders and employers.

 

Advantages for EU Blue cardholders

The advantages for EU Blue Cardholders include the following:

• Freedom to work in a highly competent job: EU Blue Card holders are eligible to work in a relevant field that requires great expertise. This helps to bridge the gap between the demands of European employers and the availability of competent workers.
• Attractive income: EU Blue Card holders have a chance of earning a high income. If you are a high-earning professional in a specialized role, then you can earn an attractive income in the European Union.
• Flexibility: EU Blue Card holders have the flexibility to move from one EU country to another in search of job opportunities after completing an initial period of 18 months in a selected country in the EU.
• Family reunification: EU Blue Card Holders can bring their members of family to the European country, and the family members can also work in the residing European country upon eligibility.
• Pathway to permanent residency: Based on the country you are residing in, your EU Blue Card can pave a pathway to permanent residency after you live for a period of 5 years. You can get a permanent residency with an EU Blue Card much faster than other visa categories.
• Social Benefits: EU Blue Card holders can avail social benefits similar to citizens of European countries. These include high wages, better working conditions, free education, accessible healthcare, and more.

 

Advantages for EU employers

There are many advantages for European employers who offer an EU Blue Card, and they are as follows:

• Streamlined hiring process: Employers can utilise the EU Blue Card to have a streamlined hiring process and hire competent UK professionals effectively.
• Simplified visa application process: Address skill shortages in the European job market efficiently as the EU Blue Card application process is simplified; it expedites the recruitment process.
• Address labour demands: The EU Blue Card helps European employers to recruit individuals from a broader talent pool from across the world.

*Note: The EU Blue Card aids employers in attracting skilled workers in the UK who are seeking long-term employment opportunities in Europe. It also provides employees with a sense of mobility in the EU.

 

Participating Countries

There are currently 24 countries that participate in issuing an EU Blue Card. These 24 countries of the European Union are listed in the following table:

Belgium	France (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and La Reunion)
Bulgaria	Greece
Cyprus	Hungary
Germany	Italy
Estonia	Latvia
Finland	Lithuania
Luxembourg	Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira)
Malta	Romania
The Netherlands (excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten + Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius)	Slovenia
Austria	Slovakia
Spain (including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands)	Czech Republic
Sweden	Poland

 

The countries that do not participate in the EU Blue Card scheme are as follows:

• Denmark
• Ireland
• Norway
• Liechtenstein
• Iceland
• Switzerland

 

Impact of Inconsistent Implementation of the EU Blue Card Scheme

The EU Blue Card was launched to make the European Union an attractive destination for skilled and highly competent professionals. But, over the years, this scheme was inconsistently implemented around the European Union, and this has undermined the original vision, ultimately harming the status of the continent.

 

What were the core principles of the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card was designed based on many core principles that attract UK skilled labour to come to the EU. These principles include more mobility, social needs like better working conditions, quality education, social security, and unemployment benefits. EU Blue Card holders also have the choice of reuniting with their family members and looking forward to residing permanently in the EU.

 

What was the new EU Blue Card regime?

Though there were many immigration pathways to enter the EU, the EU Blue Card was updated to attract individuals by providing many accessible benefits. The regime also wants to stand out amongst national competition and pursues this in the following ways:

• Easing intra-mobility rights within the EU
• Increasing the eligibility criteria to highly skilled applicants
• Reduction of the duration of your minimum employment offer
• Fewer restrictions on changing employers
• Accommodative and accepting of family reunification

 

What was the impact of the fragmented implementation of the EU Blue Card regime?

As per the above-mentioned improvements the EU Blue Card regime was striving to achieve, a fragmented implementation had taken place on a national scale that may reduce any positive improvements from occurring.

First, not all the member states of the EU have successfully introduced the EU Blue Card directive at the same pace. There are certain states that needed an extension to implement the scheme. If this continues, then there will be a fragment in the regulatory landscape.

Second, despite the delays in transposition, there is an expected risk of variation between the national legislation of the Member States once implemented.

For example, one Member State may make an aggressive decision to liberalize its quotas, whereas another Member State may want to substitute professional work experience for educational qualifications. There is also the possibility of Member States deciding to impose unique and restrictive approaches to limit the intake via the EU Blue Card Pathway. Therefore, there is an occurrence of variation in the implementation of the EU Blue Card regime nationally, either via delays or other differences that might cause fragmentation. The EU Blue Card pathway, therefore, cannot be an attractive pathway for highly skilled workers unless it functions holistically across the European Union.

As the Blue Card's purpose is to look at the European continent as a whole rather than its Member States, it is essential for the member states to have a sense of alignment as it gives a sense of clarity and predictability to employers while reducing the need to obtain another visa to work.

 

Who Qualifies for the EU Blue Card?

If you meet the following eligibility criteria, then you can qualify for an EU Blue Card.

 

Eligibility Criteria for the EU Blue Card

The eligibility criteria for an EU Blue Card are listed as follows:

• Academic qualifications: You must complete your degree education from an esteemed university that is accepted by the EU education system.
• Professional experience: You must have sufficient experience in the field you are planning to work in. This professional experience is an added advantage while applying for an EU Blue Card.
• An employment offer relevant to your education: You must have an employment offer from a valid EU employer. It is mandatory to submit the employment offer/work contract while making an EU Blue Card application.
• Receive more pay than the average: You are required to receive an income of 1.5 times more than the national income average of the state you intend to stay in.
• Documents for travel: If you are a applying with dependents, then you must have passports with a validity of at least 15 months from the moment you enter EU.  
• Medical insurance: You have to apply and get sufficient medical insurance for yourself and your dependents for your stay in the country. It is possible to apply for temporary insurance while entering the country and then switch to insurance provided by your employer.

*Note: If your occupation is listed as a regulated profession, then you must provide evidence that the requirements of the EU are satisfied.

 

Specific Requirements and Procedure for an EU Blue Card

After Brexit, UK citizens are considered third-country nationals and must meet their requirements. There are various countries that offer EU Blue Cards with specific requirements for each country. The 24 countries that offer an EU Blue Card include the following:

Austria	France
Belgium	Germany
Bulgaria	Greece
Croatia	Hungary
Cyprus	Italy
Czech Republic	Latvia
Estonia	Lithuania
Finland	Luxembourg
Malta	Netherlands
Portugal	Poland
Slovenia	Romania
Spain	Slovakia

 

The specific requirements and procedures for the 24 countries are as follows:

Austria

You must be a non-EU national with more than 3 years of study at a tertiary education institution and earn an annual salary exceeding 47,855 euros to apply for an Austria EU Blue Card. It is important to have a job that is relevant to your education and skillset.

In order to apply for an EU Blue Card, you are required to apply for a residence title and visa in the UK before going to Austria. You are required to submit the visa application to the relevant authorities in the UK and wait for the processing of the visa.

In certain scenarios, you are eligible to apply as an onshore applicant and wait for the visa to be processed while living in the country. You can also make an in-country application to extend your residence title or change its purpose. These applications must be submitted to the magistrate or the regional administrative authority in Vienna. You are eligible to stay in the country and wait while your visa is being processed.

 

Belgium

You must be a non-EU national having 3 years of education at a tertiary education institution and must earn the following salary as per the different regions of Belgium:

• Flanders region: 55.181 euro
• Wallonia region: 60.998 euro
• Brussels region: 65.053 euro

To obtain the EU Blue Card, you are required to make an application either as an:

• Onshore applicant: make an application with the local foreign nationals department
• Offshore applicant: make an application with the Belgium consular authority in the UK.

At the same time the employer is required to make an application for a temporary employment permit at the relevant administration either in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

You will receive a work permit for a maximum period of 4 years as a highly skilled worker. The permit can be extended based on the need, but the minimum validity is around 1 year.

If you are interested to renew your work permit then you must file an application one month prior to the expiry of your current work permit.

If your work permit is refused, you can appeal to the regional ministry within a month of receiving the notification. Your legal spouse can work after applying for an employment permit and work permit B.

 

Bulgaria

Your valid employer in Bulgaria must make an application for issuing an EU Blue Card and provide sufficient evidence that the annual salary mentioned in the contract is at least 16030 Euros. After you receive approval, you are eligible to apply for a Type D Visa. This visa allows you to enter the country. You must obtain the EU Blue Card from the Migration Directorate within 7 days of entering the country with your valid visa.

 

Croatia

You must be a highly skilled third-country citizen in order to make an application for a stay and work permit at any of the following places:

• Diplomatic mission
• Consular post of the Republic of Croatia
• Jurisdictional police administration
• Police station

You must provide your contract of employment with a mandatory income that is 1.5 times the national income average of around EUR 24, 845, 64. Then, you will receive an EU Blue Card with a validity of up to 2 years. This card will be issued for the duration mentioned in your employment contract, which is increased by 3 additional months.

 

Cyprus

The country is not issuing EU Blue Cards currently as the volume of third country citizens entering the country is close to zero.

 

Czech Republic

To be considered for a Czech Republic EU Blue Card, you are required to have the following:

• A higher educational qualification, either at a university or any other professional course
• An employment contract for a minimum of 1 year
• 1.5 times more than the annual income that is set at 60,529 CZK per month.

In order to apply for an EU Blue Card, you can make an application at the embassy in the UK or at the Department of Asylum and Migration Policy offices in the territory of the Czech Republic.

 

Estonia

You must be a highly skilled worker, holding a college or university diploma from a course of study for a period of 3 years. It is possible to prove that you are qualified by submitting evidence of work experience for minimum 5 years. You are also required to have a salary that is a minimum of 1.5 times the current Estonian annual income of 30,336 euros.

Submission of an application for an EU Blue Card

You can apply for an EU Blue Card as an offshore or onshore applicant.

• As an offshore applicant: You must place an application at the Estonian embassy or at the Estonia consulate in the UK.
• As an onshore applicant: You can make an application for the EU Blue Card at the Police and Border Guard board in Estonia.

 

Finland

You can apply for an EU Blue Card if you plan to work in the country for a job role requiring the highest level of competence. But you must meet certain criteria, and they include:

• Your job role requires you to have high educational qualifications or a specific level of expertise.
• A certificate or a diploma that demonstrates formal educational qualification and is a proof of you completing a course of study of 3 years in an educational institution.
• Your employment contract for a job that requires a high competence level for a duration of 6 months and has a salary of 1.5 times more than the national average of 62 508 EUR.

You can expedite the processing time by applying for an EU Blue Card via the fast-track service and receive the permit within 2 weeks. It is mandatory to apply for a D-Visa while making an EU Blue Card application in order to travel to the country immediately after receiving the EU Blue Card. The D-Visa is a sticker that will be pasted on your valid passport.

 

France

It is mandatory to satisfy the following eligibility criteria to obtain a France EU Blue Card:

• Have an employment contract with validity for a minimum of 12 months
• An income of 1.5 times the France average salary that is set at 53 836. 50 Euro
• Higher education in a university or a specialized college degree for a duration of 3 years

If you do not have sufficient educational qualifications, you can prove your qualifications by having a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience.

In order to obtain an EU Blue Card, you are required to follow the mentioned steps:

Step 1: Make an application for a passport talent residence permit and explain your intension for an EU Blue Card at the UK French consulate.

Step 2: Make an application for a Long-Term Visa simultaneously.

You are not required to make an application for a long-stay visa and make an application for an EU Blue Card if you meet the following conditions:

• Lived in France while holding another residence permit
• An EU Blue Card holder of another Member State and have lived for a minimum of 18 months. In this scenario, you are required to make an application for a new EU Blue Card at the Prefecture at the place you are living within a month of coming to France.

You can obtain an EU long-term residence permit after residing consecutively for a period of 5 years in the EU region on an EU blue Card and lived in France continuously for the last 2 years. During the 5 year period of continuous residence, you can have a 12 to 18 month period of consecutive absence.

In order to issue an EU Blue Card, the French Immigration will verify your employment contract and check if your employer adheres with the employment conditions and labour regulations.

 

Germany

You must either be a non-EU citizen and a university graduate or an individual with equivalent qualifications to apply for a Germany EU Blue Card. This card allows you to migrate to Germany and stay permanently for employment purposes. However, in order to apply for an EU Blue Card, you are required to have a valid job contract/binding employment offer from a German employer.

If you are an onshore applicant, you can apply for an EU Blue Card by contacting the immigration authority in your locality.

You must initially apply for an employment visa at the German embassy in the UK to travel to the country. This visa allows you to work in Germany immediately. You can also avail many benefits like opening a bank account, buy property and more.

 

Greece

You can apply for an EU Blue Card to live in Greece permanently only if you satisfy the following conditions:

• Have a recent passport with sufficient validity and a visa to work in a highly competent job.
• Have an employment contract for a highly qualified role for a period of 1 year with an income of at least 1.5 of the average annual income in Greece.
• Provide evidence of your highly specialized professional qualifications by submitting educational certificates or work experience.
• Adequate health insurance

The EU Blue Card has a validity of 2 years. You can apply for an EU Blue Card and live in Greece as per the duration listed in your employment contract plus 3 additional months.

It is possible to bring members of your family on an EU Blue Card if you demonstrate that you have the financial capacity to care for them. Your family members can get resident permits within 6 months after submitting the applications. They are eligible to stay for the same duration as your EU Blue Card.

 

Hungary

You must be a highly competent worker to apply for an EU Blue Card. It is possible to apply and obtain an EU Blue Card before entering Hungary, as it permits you to enter and live in the country.

As an onshore applicant, you must have a valid visa with which you can apply for an EU Blue Card at the regional Directorate of the Office of Immigration. In order to get an EU Blue Card, you must fill out and submit two important forms at the Hungarian Immigration, and they include the following:

• Application for a Residence Permit
• EU Blue Card

You must meet the following criteria to be considered for an EU Blue Card:

• Have an advanced skillset
• Get an income of more than 1.5 times the average annual income that is set at 7 264 800 HUF
• Higher academic qualifications required for the job

 

Italy

You must be a highly competent worker from the UK having a valid employment contract,  being offered a salary 1.5 times more than Italy’s national average of 24 789.93 EUR and holding a residence permit in Italy for the purpose of work.

Upon satisfying the eligibility criteria, you are required to verify with your European employer if they have proposed a contract to the Single Desk for Immigration. You will receive a visa to enter Italy, after your employer’s proposal is approved, and the Single Desk for Immigration has sent a decision to the Italian embassy/consulate in the UK. 

After arriving in the country, within an 8-day period, you must make an application for a residence permit at the Single Desk for Immigration of the province you intend to stay in. Your authorization to work corresponds to the validity of the EU Blue Card and will be issued as per the following:

• Duration of the employment contract plus an additional three months
• EU Blue Card is issued for a period of 2 years if you are granted an unlimited employment contract.

*Note: The duration of your Italy EU Blue Card is dependent on your valid visa or authorization to work.

 

Latvia

You can apply for an EU Blue Card if you are highly qualified, completed a 3 year education at a college or university and hold a degree, and have an employment contract with a salary that is 1.2 times the national average.

It is mandatory to follow the mentioned steps to make an EU Blue Card application for Latvia:

Step 1: Verify and confirm with your employer to confirm sponsorship

You are required to verify with your employer in Latvia whether they can sponsor the Citizenship and Migration affairs.

Step 2: Satisfy the annual salary requirement.

If you are making an application for an EU Blue Card, you are required to meet the salary requirement that is 1.2 to 1.5 times the national average. 

Step 3: Make and submit an EU Blue Card application

You are required to make an EU Blue Card application and submit it at the consulate of the Republic of Latvia after your employer’s invitation is approved. This application is later evaluated at the OCMA.

Step 4: Receive the EU Blue Card

After your EU Blue Card application is evaluated at the OCMA, you will receive an approval or refusal. If your application has been:

• Approved, you can obtain an EU Blue Card and work legally in Latvia
• If refused or rejected, you must verify if you have a chance to apply again.

 

Lithuania

To obtain a Blue Card in Lithuania, you must follow the mentioned steps:

Step 1: Verify if the employer in Lithuania has sent a notification

Your potential employer in Lithuania has sent a notification of vacancy to the Labour Exchange Office before 21 days.

Step 2: Your employer must submit an application and documents

Your potential employer in Lithuania must submit an application and attach the required documents that satisfy the needs of the Lithuanian labour market.

Step 3: While waiting for a decision, make an application for a residence permit

You must make an application for a residence permit at the Lithuanian consulate or embassy in the UK while waiting for a decision from the employer in Lithuania.  It is possible to apply for territorial migration services in Lithuania.

 

Luxembourg

You are required to apply and obtain a residence permit as a highly skilled worker in the country to take up professional work in Luxembourg. After arriving in Luxembourg, you have to register with the Commune and make an application at the Employment and Immigration department to receive a residence permit as a highly competent worker.

You are required to meet the following eligibility criteria to be a highly skilled worker in the country:

• Provide evidence that you have a higher education like a diploma or equivalent professional experience for a period of 5 years.
• Employment contract for which you have relevant skillsets, qualifications and earn an income that is 3 times the income of a non-skilled worker.

Salary thresholds for a Lithuania EU Blue Card

To apply for a Lithuania EU Blue Card, you must have an employment contract having an annual salary of 88,452 Euro. If your valid occupation is present in the shortage occupation list then you must have a minimal annual income of 70,762 Euro.

 

Malta

To obtain a Malta EU Blue Card, the employer and the employee have to satisfy certain eligibility requirements as mentioned below.

Eligibility requirements of the employer

Initially, the potential employer must apply for an employment licence at the Employment Bureau in Malta. This application for an employment licence will be considered from a labour market perspective that includes the following:

• Malta’s situation in terms of shortages or surpluses in that particular sector.
• History of the employer in Malta and the situation with aspect to recruitment and patterns of redundancy.
• Any business investments
• Existing contractual commitments

Eligibility requirements of the employee

The employee must have the following to be considered for an EU Blue Card:

• Satisfactory skills
• Work experience must suit the offered position.
• Relevant qualifications at the level ISCED 5a, six or more
• Approval for a highly skilled job role with a salary that is 1.5 times the annual income of Malta, which is around EUR 33,264.
• Get clearance from immigration, health, and any other important sector-specific authorities.

 

Netherlands

You must meet the mandatory requirements to obtain a Netherlands EU Blue Card:

• 3-year diploma of a course in higher education
• 5 years of relevant professional work experience
• If you are an IT professional, you must have 3 years of work experience before making an application.
• Have an employment contract with a validity of 6 months and an income of 42,236 EUR
• If you are a doctor or lawyer, then provide proof that you can practice this profession in the country
• Proof that the company of your employer in the Netherlands carry out economic activity
• Proof that your employer has not been fined in the past 5 years for violating certain laws.

Upon meeting the requirements, your employer in Netherlands must make an application for a residence permit on behalf of you. After the IND issues a notification that a residence permit will be granted then you may move to the Netherlands and work.

 

Poland

In order to work in the country as a highly competent worker and carry out highly qualified employment, you must apply for an EU Blue Card that acts as a work permit and a single residence permit. To get this residence permit, you must:

• Sign an employment contract offering an annual income of PLN 9519,23 for a period of 1 year
• Have tertiary education qualifications like a degree or a diploma
• Have adequate medical insurance

Procedure to apply for an EU Blue Card

The procedure to apply for an EU Blue Card consists of two sections:

• Section 1: Employer- Getting the approval to recruit
• Section 2: Employee- Making an EU Blue Card Application

Section 1: Employer-Getting the approval to recruit

Your potential employer in Poland must apply to the Polish Province Governor for a work permit. The employer must prove that there are no suitable local workers to fill the job vacancy and also meet the eligibility requirements by the legislative provisions. The employer can recruit from foreign countries upon satisfying the eligibility requirements.

Section 2: Employee- Making an EU Blue Card Application

You are eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card after getting a work permit. The application for a residence permit must be submitted to the Poland consulate or embassy in the UK.

 

Portugal

You must apply for a valid visa and convert it into a residence permit to work in a highly competent job role. The visa must be valid for 2 entries and for a period of 4 months. During this period, you have to apply for an EU Blue Card or a residence permit from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).

It is mandatory to satisfy the following requirements to apply for a residence permit:

• Adequate consignment
• An employment contract or a written proposal
• Proof of health insurance
• A valid travel document
• Have a salary that is 1.5 times the average annual salary of Portugal that is set at 760,00 EUR

 

Romania

If you are interested to reside and work as a highly qualified worker in Romania, your EU employer must initially obtain an authorization on your behalf. You are also required to have a college or a university diploma from a course of study that was for a period of more than 3 years. Alternatively, you can also prove your competence by demonstrating professional work experience.

In order to work in Romania, you are required to apply for a long-stay visa at the Romanian consulate. You should attach the mandatory documents that will support your visa application.

After arriving in Romania, if you are willing to work as a highly competent employee in the country and stay for more than a duration of 90 days, you have to extend your stay by making an application for an EU Blue Card. This EU Blue Card acts as a residence and work permit that is valid for the duration listed in your employment contract plus additional three months. The maximum validity for an EU Blue Card is around 2 to 3 years.

The steps to make a Romania EU Blue Card application are as follows:

Step 1: Verify if your employer has applied for a work authorization permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration for highly competent workers unless you are an exemption

Step 2: Submit the following documents at the GII

• Employment contract with an annual income of 2 times the Romanian average wage is around 13578 RON
• A medical certificate that proves you are able to work
• A travel document

 

Slovakia

You must be a highly skilled worker to apply for an EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card has a validity of 3 years and that permits you to enter Slovakia and work. During this validity period, you can leave and re-enter as many times as possible.

To be considered as a highly qualified worker, you must have the following:

• A university degree or a college diploma (Bachelors, Masters or a PhD)
• A contract of employment for 1 year with a salary that is 1.5 times the average annual income in Slovakia

Admission process

In order to apply for an EU Blue Card, your employer in Slovakia must report a vacancy before 30 days at the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family.

You can submit an application either at:

• Slovak consulate in the UK
• Relevant Alien Police Department Slovakia

*Note: You can apply for an EU Blue Card within 30 days of entering the country if you already hold an EU Blue Card of another EU country.

 

Slovenia

You must be a highly skilled worker having an employment contract with the eligibility for a highly competent work to be considered for an EU Blue Card. It is important to get your EU Blue Card before entering the country.

You must meet certain eligibility criteria for an EU Blue Card, they include:

• Employment contract to do highly qualified work with a salary of 1.5 times the average annual salary in Slovenia.

The steps you are required to follow while applying for Slovenia are as follows:

Step 1: Employer must publish in the local market.

Employers in Slovenia must publish job vacancies. If there is no local candidate who can meet the required qualifications only then the employer can proceed to recruit you.

Step 2: Apply for an EU Blue Card

Upon getting an acceptance offer from the Employment Service of Slovenia, you can apply for an EU Blue Card at the Slovenian Consulate in the UK. You can also apply for an EU Blue Card as an onshore applicant at the administrative unit within 30 days of entering Slovenia.

Alternatively, you can ask your employer in Slovenia to make an application with an administrative unit that is present locally in Slovenia.

 

Spain

If you intend to carry out activities that need a high educational qualification, then you are eligible to obtain an EU Blue Card. You must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for an EU Blue Card:

• Hold a college or a university diploma for a program that is more than 3 years.
• Have a minimum of 5 years of professional work experience.

Initially, your employer has to make an official application to the relevant authorities in the province if they intend to hire a foreign professional worker, non-resident, for a particular job.

After receiving the approval, within a month of being notified by your employer you are required to apply for an entry visa at a diplomatic mission or embassy in the UK to go to Spain.

 

Sweden

You are required to satisfy certain criteria to apply for a Sweden EU Blue Card:

• Be a non-EU citizen with an employment offer for a highly competent role.
• You must have either:
  • A tertiary education that is equal to 180 credits
  • Five years of work experience with an income that is 1.5 times more than the average salary in Sweden, which is SEK 57,450 per month.

Specific requirements you must meet to apply for an EU Blue Card are as follows:

Applicant

• Have a passport with adequate validity, or if your passport is going to expire, you are required to extend it
• Have equal to 180 credits of tertiary education or 5 years of work experience
• Adequate health insurance that has validity for the duration you intend to stay in Sweden
• Employment contract for a highly competent role for a duration of 1 year

Employer

• Must have placed an advertisement for the position in the country, European Union, EEA, and Switzerland for a period of 10 days
• Provided information about the job and gave the trade union an opportunity to make statements on the employment conditions in Sweden
• Offer employment conditions that are similar to the Swedish collective agreements or that are traditionally offered in that particular profession/industry.
• Have accepted you by offering an income that are on par with the Swedish collective agreements or it is usually offered for the occupation/ job role or industry.

How to make a submission for applying for a Sweden EU Blue Card?

You are eligible to make and submit your application for a Sweden EU Blue Card as an onshore or offshore applicant.

As an onshore applicant

You are eligible to apply for a work permit as an onshore applicant if you belong to one of the following:

• Are a student at a Sweden college or university and intend to change your student residence permit to a worker
• Are a job applicant visiting a Sweden employer and observe there is a huge requirement of labour in your field/ job category.

As an offshore applicant

You can make an application for a permit in your home country (UK) either at one of the following:

• Migration Board Permit Unit-Blue Card section
• Swedish Consulate Board

However, it is mandatory for your employer to initially create an employment offer.

 

EU Blue Card Requirements

The requirements for an EU Blue Card are mentioned as follows:

• EU Blue Card application form:  You or your valid employer must fill the application form with authentic information. It is important to print the form and sign the photocopies.
• Recent and Valid Passport: A valid passport with a minimum of 15 months beyond your due date to leave the country. The passport must be in a good condition, having a minimum of 2 blank pages to affix your visa.
• Previous passports: Submit any of your older passports.
• Passport photographs: Submit two identical photographs that were taken in the past three months.
• Educational Qualification: 3 year study at a university or college where you have received a degree or a diploma.
• Employment contract: A work contract from a valid EU employer situated in a country you intend to work in. You and your employer must sign this contract. The contract must have validity for a 1 year period and meet the national required wage.
• Evidence of professional expertise: A diploma from the university is required as evidence of professional knowledge. You are required to provide proof of 5 consecutive years of work experience in your related field. If you are listed as a regulated professional, submit your acquired certificate.
• Updated Resume
• Evidence of your medical insurance
• Proof of your income: The income must exceed 1.2 to 1.5 times the national average of the country you intend to stay in.
• Declaration by your employer: Get a written document from your employer stating the reasons for being employed and the benefits gained. A sponsor must write in the declaration that the employee satisfies all the requirements and conditions that are important to the employer.
• Submit proof of security: Provide evidence that you cause no threat to the public security of the country you intend to reside in.

*Note: It will take around 4 to 6 months to arrange the essential documents. Some states in the European Union may have fewer requirements which may expedite your process.

 

How to apply for an EU Blue Card?

You must follow the below steps to apply for an EU Blue Card:

Step 1: Secure an employment offer

You are required to have an employment offer from a recognized company in the European Union. It is mandatory to submit evidence like an employment contract or an updated resume.

Step 2: Appear for a Labour Market Test

Employers in the EU must appear for a labour market test before extending a formal employment offer. This test verifies if they are eligible candidates for the job role in the country.

Step 3: Arrange the required documents

You must submit the following essential documents that will support your EU Blue Card application:

• Valid and recent passport
• Biometrics that include photographs and fingerprints
• Updated resume
• Verified photocopies of your educational qualifications and work permits
• Signed contract of employment
• Proof of sufficient medical insurance
• Proof of residency in the chosen European country
• Completed EU Blue Card form of application

You are also required to arrange some of the important documents by collaborating with the employer in the EU country. 

Step 4: Make an application for an Entry Visa

Based on your preferred country in the European Union, you are required to enter the country on a temporary visa before applying for an EU Blue Card. It is mandatory to make an appointment at the embassy or consulate in the country to make an application.

For example, if you want to get a France EU Blue Card, you have to apply for a Passport Talent Visa and a Long Term Visa and indicate on the application form you wish to apply for a French EU Blue Card.

Upon receiving approval from the embassy to stay in the country, you are eligible to enter the European Union. You are required to check the conditions to work immediately.

Step 5: Get your EU Blue Card Application

You are required to get an EU Blue Card application from the specific authorities. It is possible to

• Download the EU Blue Card Application from the country’s portal based on the selected country
• Get the EU Blue Card application forms from the embassy or regional offices in your home country

You have to remember that, when you make an application, your EU employer must pay the application fee. The fee varies based on your selected country, duration, type of work you plan on doing.

 

Document Requirements

There are different document requirements for applicants and employers.

 

Document requirements for applicants

You are required to submit the following documents as a primary applicant:

• Travel documents like valid passport
• Passport photograph
• If applicable, you must provide the following as requested:
  • Certificate of marriage
  • Certificate of divorce
  • Registered partnership certificate
  • Dissolution of the partnership certificate
  • Papers regarding adoption
  • Family relationship certificate
  • Certificate of death
• Proof of medical insurance
• Proof of completing a 3-year course at a university or a tertiary educational institution by submitting the following:
  • Graduation certificate
  • Evidence of university/ tertiary education institution status
• Declaration from the employer
• If your occupation is listed as a regulated profession, you must provide evidence that you satisfy the country’s legal requirements.

 

Document requirements for Employers

The requirements for employers vary based on the country. But most employers are required to satisfy the mentioned requirements:

• As mentioned in the employment offer, they must adhere to the specific conditions of the duration period.
• Must complete and submit a declaration of employment

The employer must submit the applications for an EU Blue Card to the related authorities either in the Member state if the applicant has a residence permit or at the Consulate in the applicant’s home country.

 

Application Cost and Processing Time

The application cost and processing time for an EU Blue Card are mentioned below.

 

Application cost for an EU Blue Card

The cost of applying for an EU Blue Card is around €140.

 

Processing Time for an EU Blue Card

The processing time for an EU Blue Card is around 3 months or 90 days.

 

Validity and Renewal of the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is valid for a duration of 1 to 4 years. You can renew your EU Blue Card if your employment contract has been extended. For example, if your contract of employment is for more than 1 year but less than 3 years, then you will be issued an EU Blue Card for that duration, which is around 30 months.

After your EU Blue Card expires, you will get 3 additional months to either extend your permit or find other employment opportunities.

 

Renewal of the EU Blue Card

You are required to satisfy certain conditions in order to make an application for renewing your EU Blue Card. It is mandatory to submit your previous EU Blue Card and pay a fee of around €100 while making an application at the immigration office to renew your EU Blue Card. It may take around 90 days to process your EU Blue Card application. You are eligible to work and reside in the country legally during this period.

 

Reasons for withdrawal or non-renewal of your EU Blue Card

The certain reasons for which your EU Blue Card could not be renewed or withdrawn include the following:

• You are not satisfying the conditions enlisted for an EU Blue Card
• The immigration office found you have submitted your EU Blue Card application with incorrect information or false documents
• You are perceived as a threat to public health, policy, and security
• There are no adequate financial funds to take care of yourself and members of your family and you have to seek social assistance.

If any of the above events occur, then you will receive a notification from the relevant authorities in the country about withdrawal or the possibility of non-renewal.

 

Changing Employment with an EU Blue Card

It is not possible to change employment with an EU Blue Card immediately. You are required to stay for a period of 2 years in the job for which you made an application for an EU Blue Card. But it is possible to change employers after the first 2 years.

If you want to change jobs before the two-year period, you must get permission from the national authorities.

 

The process for changing employment with an EU Blue Card: Germany

You can change jobs with an EU Blue Card in under a year if you qualify for the following:

• Received permission from the local authorities
• Must have a contract of employment from the new employer
• The new job role must be listed as a similar profession as mentioned on your EU Blue Card
• Satisfy the requirements for an EU Blue Card
• Submit a completed application at the local Foreigners Office

Overall, you must provide evidence to the authorities that you are in a suitable job role that is related to your previous education, profession and that you are getting paid an adequate income to be considered.

 

What documents are required to change jobs?

The documents required for changing jobs in the country are as follows:

• A completed form, “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis Stellenbeschreibung,” that is listed on the embassy website
• Photocopy of the employment contract
• If you are applying in writing, you must attach photocopies of your passport
• Registration certificate
• Rental lease or a confirmation of occupancy from the landlord

*Note: You do not have to pay any costs to change employers in the country

 

Rights Conferred by the EU Blue Card

As an EU Blue Card holder, you can avail certain guaranteed rights on par with the citizens of the residing country, and they include the following:

• Better working conditions
• Access professional education facilities and qualifications
• Get social security
• Avail goods and public services like transport, museums and restaurants

An EU Blue Card also helps you to obtain long-term residency in the host country.

 

Family Members

The following table lists the eligibility criteria for family members and their access to employment in a European country.

Country	Family members who have access to employment	Eligible family members
Austria	Free access to family members without satisfying language requirement	Spouses, legal partners and unmarried dependents that include adopted and step children.
Belgium	Potential employer of the member of the family has to make an application for a work permit “B” and get relevant authorisation to work in a skilled regional authority.	Legal spouse and dependent children either biological or adopted, a legal partner and adult unmarried children who are recognized as disabled
Bulgaria	Get access immediately	Legal spouse; unmarried children under 18 years of age either biological or adopted, single children over 18 years of age that are categorised as dependents as they need to be cared for due to serious health problems or mental health conditions.
Croatia	Get access immediately	Legal spouse/ common-law partner, dependent children who is a minor (adopted)
Czech Republic	Do not need to apply for a work permit	Legal spouse, children under 18 years of age that includes adopted or custodial and dependent adult children.
Cyprus	No EU Blue Cards are currently being issued.	Legal spouse over 21 years of age, provided the marriage has taken place 1 year before submitting an application; minor dependent children (unmarried) of the sponsor and the spouse.
Denmark	The country does not issue EU Blue Cards as it has opted out of the EU Blue Card Directive	-
Estonia	Access the job pool immediately.	Legal spouse, minor children and adult children categorised as a dependent.
Finland	Have the freedom to access to the employment pool.	Legal spouse or partner only if they have resided together for a minimum period of 2 years or have a child under joint custody, you are in a registered partnership and are a same sex partner, or children (unmarried) under 18 years of age.
France	Family members will get an automatic right to work.	Legal spouse of a minimum of 18 years of age (excluding partners) and legitimate minor children who can either be biological or adopted.
Germany	Legal spouse will be granted a residence permit automatically that entitles them to take up any kind of employment.	Legally married spouse, must be at least 18 years and children below 16 years may be considered for a permanent residence permit, and people between 16 to 18 in certain cases of hardship or if their prospects of integration are good.
Greece	To be confirmed	-
Hungary	Family members can get immediate and easy access.	Legal spouse, children who are under 18 years of age (includes fostered or adopted children) and are in parental custody, and the children of the dependents.
Ireland	Ireland does not offer an EU Blue Card as it has opted out of the directive.	-
Italy	Eligible to work without any conditions and be self-employed too.	Legal spouse, both same sex and opposite, dependents under 18 years of age. This includes custodial, dependent children/parents and 3rd degree relatives who are not permitted to work under the Italian law.
Latvia	The legal spouse of the EU Blue Card Holder can work for any employer in the EU. The spouse has no requirement for a separate work permit.	Legal spouse and children who are either adopted/custodial and are under the age of 18 years of age.
Lithuania	Family members can get immediate access.	Spouse and children who are minors (includes custodial and adopted).
Luxembourg	Upon meeting certain eligibility criteria like job role and contributing to the economy of Luxembourg, you can access the labour market	Legal spouse and legal partner over 18 years of age in a civil partnership. Single children under 18 years of age. Or direct ascendants or single children of more than 18 years of age are permitted to come to the country for socio-economic purpose.
Malta	No particular time limit is set to access the Malta job market.	Legal spouse and children who are minors that includes adopted, custodial and biological children.
Netherlands	Permitted to take up any kind of work and does not need your employer to have a mandatory work permit.	Spouse, unmarried partner (includes same sex) being in an exclusive relationship for a long period, and minor children.
Poland	Family members get immediate access to work in the Poland labour market. They are exempted from applying for a work permit.	Legal spouse, if the marriage is accepted under the Polish law, minor children that includes adopted child/ children that is under the dependent category and the EU Blue Card holder is the parent having the parental control.
Portugal	Family members get immediate access to employment in the labour market.	Legal spouse, dependent children that are under 18 years of age (includes adopted or foster children).
Romania	Family members can work in the job market and have immediate access.	Legal spouse, children under 18 years of age that includes custodial or adopted children and adult children with a disability.
Slovakia	Family members can work in the job market and have immediate access.	Legal spouse and children under 18 years of age that includes custodial or adopted children.
Slovenia	Family members can work in the job market and have immediate access.	Legal spouse and children under 18 years of age (includes custodial and adopted children).
Spain	Family members can apply for a work permit (subordinate work contract) without being subjected to any labour market testing.	Legal spouse, biological children and adopted children under the age of 18 years.
Sweden	Family members have a right to work without a work permit.	Legal spouse and children who are under the age of 18 years of age (unmarried) and foster children and dependents that require care or assistance.
Switzerland	To access the labour market.	Spouse, children under the age of 18 years and both minor and adult children with disabilities.
United Kingdom	Family members can apply for a dependent visa for skilled workers; the visa includes permission to work.	Legal spouse and any dependent children who are under 18 years of age.

 

Salary Requirements

The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card are 1.2 to 1.5 times the national annual average salary of the country.

Country	Salary
Austria	€ 45,595 X 1.5
Belgium	55 181 EUR to 60 998 EUR
Bulgaria	2609 BGN X 1.5
Croatia	EUR 24 845,64 X 1.5
Czech Republic	CZK 409 500 X 1.5
Cyprus	Does not issue EU Blue Card
Denmark	Does not issue EU Blue Card
Estonia	30 336 EUR X 1.5
Finland	62 508 EUR X 1.5
France	53,836.50 EUR X 1.5
Germany	58 400 EUR X 1.5
Greece	30 675 EUR X 1.5
Hungary	7 264 800 HUF X 1.5
Ireland	Does not issue EU Blue Card
Italy	24 789.93 EUR X 1.5
Latvia	24 720 EUR X 1.5
Lithuania	Around 13,500 EUR X 1.5
Luxembourg	84.780 EUR X 1.5
Malta	CZK 409 500 X 1.5
Netherlands	42,236 EUR
Poland	PLN 114228
Portugal	760,00 EUR X 1.5
Romania	13578 RON X 2
Slovakia	Around 17,160 EUR X 1.5
Slovenia	€27,992 X 1.5
Spain	33908 € X 1.5
Sweden	SEK 55,650 X 1.5

 

How can Y-Axis help

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• Expert consultation and immigration guidance for any European country
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