EU Blue Card gives you access to work and living in EU member states and the Schengen zone. It is a combination of work and residence permits. All EU member states (25 countries) except Denmark, the UK, and Ireland give this facility to professionals from all around the world to apply for this program. Exactly this program was started in Europe in 2011, a demand-driven, residence and work permit.
Till now, professionals from all around the world have successfully gained this opportunity to settle here in Europe. Alone Germany among other EU states has solely given 65,404 EU Blue Cards from 2014 to 2017. Germany leads the field among all EU countries when it comes to issuing EU Blue Cards. It issued 84.0 percent of all EU Blue Cards that were granted EU-wide in 2016. France (3,6 %) and Poland (3,2 %) took second and third place, respectively. Indians, Chinese, Turkish, and Russian professionals have so far got the most EU Blue Card among all other non-EU countries.
Which countries offer/accept the EU Blue Card?
There are in total 24 European countries that offer the EU Blue Card Scheme. Denmark and Ireland do not take part in this program. On the other hand countries like Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway are not a part of the European Union and this is why they also do not issue EU Blue Cards. But these four countries are Schengen Countries. Following are the names of EU countries offering the EU Blue Card:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Germany
- Estonia
- Finland
- France (including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and La Reunion)
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands (excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten + Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius)
- Austria
- Poland
- Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira)
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Spain (including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands)
- Czech Republic
- Sweden
Benefits
Blue Card program is a merit-based system; interpreting a person with ‘merits’ as one who received adequate education or, through professional experience possesses sought-after skills. Though this program covers many features the best is that it is a non-points-based program to apply for. So you don’t need to worry about specific points lacking even if you have performed well in other CV credentials. The other best feature is that you can apply through two basic streams: with a high qualification or through professional work experience (ideally more than 5 years) with an associate degree etc.
- Working and salary conditions equal to EU nationals
- Freedom of association
- Permanent residence perspective (it even gets you citizenship)
- Favorable conditions for family reunification
- Free movement within the Schengen area
- Entitlement to a series of socio-economic rights (e.g. unemployment benefit)
Distinctive Features
- EU Blue Card holders, except those issued in Romania, Bulgaria, or Cyprus, can travel freely within the Schengen area, covering most of Europe. Notable exceptions include the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- Enjoy working and salary conditions equivalent to those of nationals.
- Entitled to various benefits, including access to unemployment benefits.
- Freedom to move within the Schengen area for work or leisure.
- Favorable conditions for family members to join the cardholder.
- Pathway to permanent residence for long-term stability. In some cases, it can decrease to even two years such as in Germany where if you pass a German language test, you can even apply for permanent residency after 21 months of stay. Most countries offer it on the other hand in 3 to 5 years time period.
- Ability to engage in social and professional activities within the host country.
- Upon completing your studies, you can transition to the EU Blue Card for continued European residence. Many EU countries offer post-graduation stay options to facilitate labor market integration.
- Accumulated employment time on the EU Blue Card contributes to eligibility for permanent residency. Depending on the country, you can apply for permanent residency after two to five years.
- EU Blue Card holders can work and reside in another EU country for up to two years without losing their permanent residency status. They must inform immigration authorities before relocating and can work on the EU Blue Card permit in the new country.
Who can apply for the EU Blue Card?
Luckily, there are no strict requirements for applying for this program. However, the following are the basic requirements:
- You hold non-EU citizenship
- You are educated or professionally experienced
- You have an employment contract or binding employment offer (the salary threshold is really important)
Is permanent settlement in Europe possible through the EU blue card?
Yes, you surely can. Each country has its scenario for the application for PR or citizenship. But there is no doubt that through the EU blue card stream, you can get PR faster. For example, if you pass 22 months in Germany on an EU Blue card, and have also had a German-language B1 level cleared, you can apply for PR. If on the other hand, you don’t have German language proficiency, you can still apply for PR after having worked in Germany on an EU blue card for 33 months.
How to apply for an EU blue card online?
Once you get a job in the labor market of a country in Europe, you will have to apply to that country for a visa.
Salary Requirements
Employers are required to pay EU Blue Card holders a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross salary of the respective country, as per the EU Blue Card directive.
- Shortage occupations from €43,056 to €44,304 annual salary
- Non-shortage occupations from €55,200 to €56,800 annual salary
How to apply for jobs in Europe?
There are many job portals online that help you find an excellent job in all European countries. But the best one right now is EURES. This is an online job portal designed for nationals and citizens of all EU countries, but people from all over the world can also find jobs here, create a CV online, and contact employers. Click here to open the EURES JOB PORTAL.
Country-wise information on EU blue card
Currently, 25 EU countries run the EU blue card program for professionals. You can apply for any country you want to be provided that you have a job offer from that specific country. Check below country-by-country information on requirements and procedures for applying for an EU blue card (click on each link to find more information):