Obtaining The EU Blue Card Has Been Made Easier

Tina

March 11, 20246 min read

The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit for highly skilled non-EU citizens introduced in 2009 by the European Union to address the increasing shortages of skilled workers in certain occupations across the EU. Holders of this card may reside and work in almost every member state of the European Union. Denmark and Ireland are the only two member states exempt from the EU Blue Card regulations.

Who is eligible for an EU Blue Card?

To be eligible for an EU Blue Card, you must:

- Possess a degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.

- Have a job offer from a company located in a participating EU country or have already signed an employment contract with such a company.

- Earn a salary that meets the minimum thresholds set by the host country.

- Possess a degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.

You also need a valid passport or an equivalent travel document to be issued the EU Blue Card.

Recent changes that make it easier to obtain the EU Blue Card

Starting in November 2023, the German government implemented several changes aimed at reducing the hurdle of getting the EU Blue Card.

Firstly, adjustments were made to the salary thresholds. For professionals in bottleneck professions, the threshold was lowered from 43,100 Euros to approximately 39,700 Euros per annum. Additionally, for professionals in all other fields, the threshold was reduced from 53,100 Euros to 43,800 Euros per annum.

Secondly, the range of professions classified as bottleneck fields has expanded. Newly added professionals now include teachers and educators, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, nurses, midwives, and managers in technology, IT, and professional services. These additions complement the existing bottleneck professions, namely mathematics, IT, science, engineering, and human medicine.

Thirdly, IT specialists are no longer required to possess a university degree to qualify for the EU Blue Card, provided they can furnish evidence of three years of relevant professional experience. The salary threshold for this group of professionals is set at around 39,700 Euros per annum.

What are the benefits of having an EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is nothing short of an incentive for highly skilled workers from outside the EU to move to Europe, and the benefits of holding one are impressive:

1. Free Movement within Europe: The EU Blue Card gives cardholders the privilege of free movement within the EU. Thanks to this, individuals possessing this card can reside and be employed in almost any EU country without a separate visa or work permit.

2. Family Reunion: The EU Blue Card makes it easier for family members to join cardholders in Europe. Spouses and unmarried children can obtain a residence permit to live with the cardholder, provided they meet a few other requirements. You can see more about joining spouse, child, and parent in Germany.

3. Permanent residency and citizenship: Once individuals with a Blue Card have lived and worked in an EU country for several years, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Furthermore, Blue Card holders can apply for citizenship after residing in an EU country for an average of 5 years. This makes the Blue Card an attractive option for highly-skilled workers outside the EU who want to commit to living and working in Europe.

4. Healthcare and social security benefits: An EU Blue Card allows individuals to avail themselves of social security benefits and healthcare in Europe. These benefits encompass several areas, such as pension rights, healthcare coverage, and unemployment benefits. Moreover, in some cases, the benefits can also be extended to the cardholder's family members who reside with them

5. Language proficiency: You may have noticed that proficiency in the host country's language is not required for obtaining the EU Blue Card. So you can be issued the Blue Card even before you start learning the language.

You can apply for the EU Blue Card at the authorities in the country where you will be working. The process and requirements vary slightly from country to country, so checking with the relevant authorities before applying is essential.

How to apply for an EU Blue Card when Germany is your host country

You have signed a job contract with a German-based company and are eligible to apply for an EU Blue card. If yes, congratulations! All you need do if you're currently living in Germany is to visit the responsible immigration authority. You'll need to go with your job contract and a valid passport for the EU Blue card to be approved.

You can apply for an EU Blue card at a German embassy if you are still in your home country. Once your application has been approved, you'll be issued an entry visa. When you arrive in Germany and visit the responsible foreign authority, you will be given an EU Blue card. You could obtain other types of work permits if you are not eligible for the EU Blue card. You can find out your chances of getting any work permit, including the EU Blue Card.

If securing a job offer in Germany from abroad proves challenging, consider applying for the Opportunity Card to explore employment opportunities here. Upon receiving a successful job offer, you can then proceed to obtain the EU Blue Card. See seven crucial things to consider when looking to work in Germany.

How long is the EU Blue Card valid?

Bear in mind that the EU Blue Card is not a permanent residency permit and has a validity period of four years. After the initial four years, the card can be renewed easily, provided that the holder still meets the original eligibility criteria. Additionally, it is possible to transition from the Blue Card to another type of residency permit.

Suppose you intend to stay in Germany for a more extended period. In that case, you can apply for permanent residency even before your EU Blue Card expires, as an indefinite stay is typically not granted automatically. Moreover, you might qualify for German citizenship if you have resided in Germany for five years.

How MigrationCheck can assist you

Now you have sufficient information on this excellent opportunity for highly skilled workers from outside the EU to live and work in Europe, do you think you might be qualified? We encourage you to apply for the EU Blue Card if you are eligible.

Should you need personalized guidance - especially If you obtained your university degree or equivalent qualification outside Germany- we would be glad to assist. Our goal is to ensure that your journey to an extended stay in Germany is as smooth and efficient as possible. We welcome you to participate in our webinars, where we cover a range of topics on securing employment opportunities in Germany.