Everything You Need To Know About the EU Blue Card

EU Blue Card Eligibility Criteria

In order to apply for an EU Blue Card, you will first need to meet the eligibility criteria:

• Higher Education/Professional Experience: You should have completed a higher education course such as an undergraduate degree, a Masters, or a PhD. Alternatively, some Member States accept five years of professional experience in your chosen field. Learn more about regulated professions here.
• Paid Employment: You must be a paid employee at an EU company, or have a binding job offer. Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and self-employed professionals are not eligible for this scheme.
• Above Average Pay: Your gross salary must be at least 1.5 times the national average in the EU country you want to work in.
• Travel Documents: Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 15 months from when you enter the EU. The same goes for any dependents of the applicant.
• Health Insurance: You must have health insurance for yourself and those accompanying you. You can get temporary insurance prior to your entry and then switch to your employer’s plan.

Qualifying Countries 

Outlined below is a list of countries that issue the EU Blue Card and the amount you need to earn in order to qualify.

• Austria – €58,434 per year
• Belgium – €55,431 per year
• Bulgaria – €10,326 per year
• Croatia – €19,138 per year
• Cyprus – €23,964 per year
• Czech Republic – €11,408 per year
• Estonia – €23,580 per year
• Finland – €56,774 per year
• France – €53,836.50 per year
• Germany – €53,600 per year
• Greece – €30,675 per year
• Hungary – €16,700 per year
• Italy – €24,789.93 per year
• Latvia – €13,776 per year
• Lithuania – €23,160 per year
• Luxembourg – €78,336 per year
• Malta – €16,036 per year
• Netherlands – €5,272 per month
• Poland – €15,446 per year
• Portugal – €66,500 per year
• Romania – €2,250 per month
• Slovakia – €15,102 per year
• Slovenia – €2,001 per month
• Spain – €33,908 per year
• Sweden – €50,550 per year

How to Apply for an EU Blue Card 

EU Blue Card applicants must first book an appointment with the relevant EU state’s consulate or embassy in their current country of residence. Depending on the consulate, you may be able to submit an online application. The application process, similarly, differs across EU states. The typical processing time for an EU Blue Card is 90 days, though this period can vary based on the specific EU country handling the application.

Once your application is successful, you will be issued an EU Blue Card that’s valid for 1 to 4 years. Typically, the card’s validity matches the duration of the employment contract. If the latter is extended, the validity of the card can be increased beyond 4 years, which is the typical limit.

EU Blue Card Employment Specifics 

Corporate professionals looking to make an EU Blue Card application must have an offer from an EU employer for a skilled job in a qualifying member state. European employers use varied channels to post their vacancies: public employment services, recruitment agencies, specialised websites, publications, universities, etc. The European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) – the official job search platform for potential EU applicants –  allows you to filter job searches in particular sectors and locations.

You cannot change jobs within the first two years of getting your Blue Card without applying for a new card (specific regulations vary by country). If you lose your job while your card is still valid, you can look for a new one for up to 3 months. Past that duration, however, applicants will be required to leave the country.

Benefits of Having an EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card gives skilled workers from non-EU countries a host of advantages:

• Travel unrestricted throughout the EU.
• Enjoy equal working conditions and pay as residents of the EU state.
• Bring family members to live and work in the EU.
• Apply for permanent residency.
• Enjoy the same economic, healthcare, and educational rights as citizens of that EU state.
• Relocate to a new country after 12 months (if the criteria for that country are met).

The EU Blue Card presents a compelling opportunity for corporate professionals seeking to advance their careers in Europe. Qualifying individuals can gain access to Europe’s thriving job market and the range of healthcare and educational benefits EU states offer. As the global job market continues to evolve, the EU Blue Card stands out as a key instrument for professionals aiming to navigate and excel in the European corporate landscape.