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Date Published: 14/05/2024

Understanding the European Blue Card

What is the Blue Card in Spain and who in the EU needs one?

by Lana Birley, freelance journalist

In an interconnected world where talent knows no borders, the European Blue Card stands as a beacon of opportunity, offering skilled professionals a gateway to pursue their careers in the European Union (EU).

Introduced in 2009, the Blue Card is Europe's answer to attracting highly qualified workers from around the globe, fostering innovation, and bolstering economic growth.

The holder of an EU Blue Card is entitled to take up residence in the EU for the purpose of taking up gainful employment as reported by the Federal Foreign Office.

The European Blue Card is a residence and work permit designed to facilitate the migration of highly skilled workers from non-EU countries to EU member states, excluding Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It aims to address skill shortages in the EU by attracting individuals with sought-after qualifications and expertise.

Although the EU Blue Card is recognised by 25 EU member states with the same basic criteria applying for all, there are minor additional criteria set by each member state for its own.

To qualify for a Blue Card, applicants must meet certain criteria, including:

Have a Master’s Degree or equivalent.
Have at least 5 years of experience in your field.
Have a work contract or a job offer for highly qualified employment for at least one year.
Meet the minimum salary threshold in the EU country in which you want to work.
For regulated professions: proof that the national legal requirements are met.

Higher education qualification: Applicants must hold a higher education degree from a recognized institution.

Employment sontract: Prospective applicants must secure a job offer or employment contract in an EU member state for a duration of at least one year.

Minimum salary requirement: The offered salary must meet the minimum threshold set by the respective EU country, which varies from one country to another.

For country-specific information on the EU Blue Card, please click on the relevant country in the EU Immigration Portal.

Shortage occupation: In some cases, individuals working in professions facing shortages of skilled workers may be exempt from certain requirements.

In case you lose your job within the first three years under a Blue Card, you will have three months to find another job. Or else you will have to leave the country.

Benefits of the Blue Card

1. Work and residence rights

Blue Card holders enjoy the right to live and work in the EU country that issued the card, as well as the freedom to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

2. Family reunification

The Blue Card allows holders to bring their immediate family members, including spouses and dependent children, to reside with them in the EU country of employment.

3. Path to permanent residency

After holding the Blue Card for a certain period, usually between 18 to 60 months depending on the country, holders may become eligible to apply for permanent residency or long-term resident status. You need to have been working in the first hosting state, or 21 months if B1 language level knowledge is achieved.

4. Equal treatment

Blue Card holders are entitled to equal treatment with nationals regarding working conditions, social security, and access to education and vocational training.

Challenges and considerations

While the European Blue Card presents numerous opportunities, it also comes with its set of challenges and considerations:

1. Complexity of the application process

Navigating the application process for the Blue Card can be complex and time-consuming, requiring thorough documentation and compliance with specific requirements. To prepare and gather the required documentation, such as the recognition of qualification or translation of documents and other similar documents, you will need approximately 4-6 months.

2. Varying requirements

Each EU member state has its own set of requirements and procedures for issuing Blue Cards, leading to discrepancies in eligibility criteria and processing times. However, most of them include documents such as: Application Form, a valid passport valid for at least 15 more months beyond your planned date to leave the EU, copies of important passport pages, previous passports, two photos, work contract with an EU employer based in the country you wish to work in, proof of professional level, up-to-date CV, proof of application fee payment, proof of health insurance, proof that your salary exceeds the average in the hosting state by 1.5 times or 1.2 times for professions in shortage, a written declaration by your employer, proof of no threat to the public policy, security or health of the hosting state.

The application fee payment for issuance is 140 euros while it is 100 euros for the renewal of the EU Blue Card.

3. Language and cultural barriers

Adapting to a new work environment in a foreign country may pose challenges related to language proficiency and cultural differences.

Germany stands as one of the most sought-after destinations for skilled professionals seeking to leverage the benefits of the European Blue Card.

According to Germany-Visa.org, Some of the professions that are most in-demand in Germany are:

Architects and interior designers
Engineers
Information and communication technologies specialists
Mathematicians
Health professionals
Scientists
Scientific engineers
Urban and traffic planning specialists

The European Blue Card serves as a catalyst for talent mobility, enabling skilled professionals from around the world to contribute to the economic development and cultural diversity of the European Union.

As the global workforce becomes increasingly interconnected, programs like the Blue Card play a vital role in attracting and retaining talent, driving innovation, and fostering international cooperation.

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