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

The Blue Card is a special permit designed to attract highly skilled professionals who are interested in working in Europe.
There are certain EU Blue Card requirements that applicants must meet to be considered eligible.

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12-10-2022

The European Blue Card is a work permit that allows you to work in Europe. This blue card allows highly skilled professionals to enter and stay in the country.

The European Council introduced the Blue Card to work in Europe in 2009, and it is intended for third-country nationals who seek to visit Europe for professional purposes.

The programme was changed in accordance with the new Blue Card Directive, which was adopted by the European Parliament and Council on May 17, 2021. The Directive makes it easier to achieve the standards for the Blue Card, allowing more foreign talent to migrate to Europe.

The EU has a high demand for competent personnel. To assist address this job vacuum, the EU Blue Card and other similar initiatives are being implemented across Europe.

IS THE BLUE CARD REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE EU?

Depending on the foreigner’s nationality and other conditions, he or she must apply for either the Blue Card or a D-Type work visa.

The sort of work a person will do determines whether they should apply for a Blue Card or a national work visa. Blue Cards are only available to highly skilled professionals.

EU member states issue Blue Cards. Blue Cards are not issued in Ireland or Denmark.

ETIAS will not be a replacement for the Blue Card; rather, it will be an electronic travel authorization to enter Europe for vacation or business. Please see the conclusion of this post for further information about ETIAS for business travel and other short-term business travel licences in Europe.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE EUROPEAN BLUE CARD?

Only persons who are highly competent in their fields can apply for the EU Blue Card. Non-EU immigrants who want to work in a job that requires a higher education level can apply for the Blue Card.

The Blue Card was created to attract talent and is aimed for competent individuals who want to advance their careers or work in Europe. Each European country decides how many Blue Cards it will issue each year.

According to Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the Commission for Promoting the European Way of Life, the Blue Card should “help preserve economic development, respond to labour market demands, and enhance productivity, allowing the EU to emerge stronger from this epidemic.”

WHAT IS A HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATION IN THE EU?

People with a higher education qualification have completed at least three years of formal education.

This must have offered the degree of qualification required to practise a profession requiring extensive training or to enrol in an advanced research programme.

Petitioners having professional experience comparable to a higher education certificate in particular sectors will also be eligible under the Revised Blue Card Directive.

IS THE BLUE CARD REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE EU?

Depending on the foreigner’s nationality and other conditions, he or she must apply for either the Blue Card or a D-Type work visa.

The sort of work a person will do determines whether they should apply for a Blue Card or a national work visa. Blue Cards are only available to highly skilled professionals.

EU member states issue Blue Cards. Blue Cards are not issued in Ireland or Denmark.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE EUROPEAN BLUE CARD?

WHAT IS A HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATION IN THE EU?

People with a higher education qualification have completed at least three years of formal education.

This must have offered the degree of qualification required to practise a profession requiring extensive training or to enrol in an advanced research programme.

Petitioners having professional experience comparable to a higher education certificate in particular sectors will also be eligible under the Revised Blue Card Directive.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BLUE CARD TO WORK IN EUROPE

Depending on the jurisdiction, the application can be submitted by the individual or by their company.

Applications are made to the appropriate national authorities in the country where the individual wishes to work. Certain nations charge an application fee.

The number of personnel admitted by each EU nation varies.

EU BLUE CARD APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for the European Blue Card must now bring the following documents:

A valid contract or firm offer of employment for a minimum of 6 months, offering a minimum wage at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary of the EU country in which they wish to work (both the contract duration and minimum salary have been lowered)
Documents proving that they have the necessary qualifications as outlined above
A valid travel document and, if necessary, a visa
Proof of health insurance

If a person does not match the following standards, or if the papers were obtained unlawfully, faked, or tampered with, EU member nations may refuse the application for a Blue Card. Those seeking a Blue Card must also not pose a threat to EU security, public order, or public health.

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

As previously stated, employees must earn at least 1.5 times the average gross pay in the nation to which they are applying. If the profession is in great demand, this may be reduced.

This means that the wage threshold varies each EU Member State. In certain European nations, the minimum wage in 2021 was as follows:

France: 53,836 EUR
Germany: 56,800 EUR
Italy: 24,789 EUR
Spain: 33,908 EUR

Germany is the only one of these nations that has raised the mandatory minimum wage for 2021. (from 55,200 EUR in 2020).

The minimum EU Blue Card salary for 2022 is as follows:

France: 53,836 EUR
Germany: 56,400 EUR (decreased from 2021)
Italy: 26,000 EUR (increased from 2021)
Spain: 33,908 EUR

Employees who do not fulfil this condition are required to get a D-type work visa from an EU Member State.

HOW LONG IS AN EU BLUE CARD VALID FOR?

Depending on the granting nation, EU blue cards are valid for one to four years.

Spain, for example, issues Blue Cards that are valid for 12 months, Austria for 24 months, and France and Germany for 48 months.

EU Blue Card holders and their families are permitted to enter and stay in the EU nation that granted the card, as well as freely travel to other EU member countries.

CAN ASYLUM SEEKERS BENEFIT FROM THE EU BLUE CARD?

Highly skilled third-country persons under international protection will be entitled to apply for an EU Blue Card under the updated Blue Card Directive in 2021.

Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs, stated, “Today’s agreement is an important component of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will allow us to normalise our migration policy.” New laws will make it simpler to work and travel across the EU, while also recognising the potential of highly talented employees from various backgrounds, including those who have received international protection.”

WORKING IN THE EU WITHOUT A BLUE CARD

Work visas and permits are issued by EU member states. Non-EU nationals who do not meet the Blue Card eligibility requirements may be eligible for a national work visa.

To address labour shortages, some EU countries have recently amended their work permit regulations.

The following are some instances of work permit regulations for several European nations.

FRANCE’S TALENT PASSPORT

France has implemented a number of initiatives to aid in the integration of foreign workers into the labour market. The French government has done this in part by instituting a “talent passport.”

For highly qualified non-EU nationals, France’s talent passport provides a residency visa.

The French government increased the monthly minimum wage by 2.01% in August 2022. This means that the monthly wage criteria for obtaining a talent passport have increased as well. They are presently at:

Passeport Talent (Employees on Assignment): €3,022.11
Passeport Talent (Qualified Employees): €3,357.90

GERMANY’S SKILLED WORKERS IMMIGRATION ACT

In March 2020, Germany enacted the Skilled Employees Immigration Act in order to boost the number of skilled workers from third countries.

Workers with a higher education degree or similar who have undergone recognised vocational training in Germany or comparable overseas may be termed competent professionals.

This new approach raised the number of skilled employees and trainees by around 50%.

WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS IN SPAIN

Spain drastically simplified the process of obtaining a work permit for foreign residents. Some foreign nationals’ work permit applications have been streamlined.

Students will gain as well. Non-EU students will be permitted to work up to 30 hours a week while studying. Foreign students will also be permitted to begin working immediately after graduation rather than waiting three years.

6-MONTH VISA FOR FOREIGN WORKERS IN PORTUGAL

A new visa is available for foreigners who wish to work in Portugal for up to six months. This visa is offered to employees and self-employed workers who have undergone a labour authority examination (IEFP). It may be prolonged for up to a year in rare situations.

Long-term To work in Portugal for longer than six months, a Portuguese work visa is necessary.

INCREASED MIGRANT WORK PERMIT QUOTAS FOR ITALY

The Nulla Osta is Italy’s work permit. Before applying, applicants must be given a job in Italy. Depending on the contract, the work permit may be valid for up to two years and can be renewed for up to five years.

Italy boosted the number of persons permitted to enter the country for employment in 2022 to 75,000, a 5,000 increase. This growth was prompted by a shortage of employees in various industries.

OTHER EU VISAS FOR BUSINESS AND WORK

To work in Europe, you must have a Blue Card and a national work permit/visa.

Third-country nationals performing short-term business activity, such as attending meetings or events, can get other forms of entrance visas.

ETIAS will be accessible for anyone travelling to the EU on short business visits beginning in November 2023. Those who do not qualify for EU visa exemption or ETIAS must apply for a Schengen visa.

Remote workers in various EU countries are granted digital nomad visas. It permits people to stay for more than 90 days without having to sign a labour contract.

The EU Parliament has also debated the implementation of admission procedures for low- and medium-skilled foreign workers.