In order to attract more foreigners with professional qualifications, four EU member states have simplified their rules for the EU Blue Card this year.
An EU Blue Card is a document that allows highly qualified workers from non-EU countries to live and work in the bloc.
Although there are some set criteria for issuing an EU Blue Card, each member state has the right to change certain rules. The four countries that have simplified their EU Blue Card rules by 2024 are Greece, Estonia, Italy and Slovakia, reports Schengen.News.
In addition to these four EU countries, Sweden has also announced plans to relax its EU Blue Cad conditions.
Greece now allows people in the visa-free regime and holders of a short-stay visa to apply for an EU Blue Card
In order to facilitate the entry of highly qualified foreigners into the country for work purposes, Greece has allowed persons who are visa-free or hold a short-stay Schengen visa to apply for an EU Blue Card since 5 June 2024.
In addition, Greece has also changed the requirements for the pre-screening process. Previously, it was mandatory for EU Blue Card applicants to undergo a pre-screening process. Under the new rules, applicants now have the right to choose whether or not to undergo this procedure.
Although the pre-assessment procedure may extend the processing time for the EU Blue Card, foreign nationals are advised to choose this procedure anyway in order to avoid rejection of their application or being asked to submit additional documents.
When applying for a Greek EU Blue Card, applicants must pay a one-time fee of €300. The card is valid for two years and anyone wishing to renew it must pay a fee of €450.
Estonia has eased several conditions for the EU Blue Card
Already in April 2024, Estonia decided to relax five of its rules for EU Blue Card applicants. Since then, foreigners can apply for Estonia’s EU Blue Card provided they have five years of professional experience in a relevant field and no longer need to provide proof of education.
Before this change came into force, only foreigners with university degrees could apply for the document.
In addition, Estonia has also shortened the duration of job offers as well as the period of employment during which a cardholder has the right to stay in the country.
According to the new rules, foreigners who have held an EU Blue Card for less than six years can stay in Estonia unemployed for up to three months. On the other hand, those who have held an EU Blue Card for more than two years can stay in Estonia unemployed for up to six months.
Estonia has also made it easier for foreigners with an EU Blue Card to change employers. This group of workers can now change employers without having to meet the criteria for the labour market test.
However, the obligation to inform the employer about the planned change of job still exists.
Italy allows employers to submit online applications for foreign workers with EU Blue Card
To make it easier for employers to hire foreigners under the EU Blue Card, Italy now allows them to submit applications online.
Through the online portal, Italian employers can request highly qualified workers in various fields. Once employers have made the requests, highly qualified workers from non-EU countries can apply for the positions. If they meet the requirements, they will receive an EU Blue Card.
The minimum salary limit for an Italian EU Blue Card is around €24,790. The initial fee for the Italian Blue Card is €00, the same applies for its renewal.
Slovakia has relaxed three rules for the EU Blue Card
Given the current labour shortage in Slovakia, the country has also decided to simplify some of its EU Blue Card rules.
Effective July 15, 2024, Slovakia has relaxed the eligibility requirements for professional experience. Employers in Slovakia can now hire foreign skilled workers from a larger pool of applicants.
In addition, the country has increased the validity period of the EU Blue Card from four to five years and reduced the minimum salary requirements. The minimum salary for an EU Blue Card has been reduced to 1.2 times the average salary in the country.
Sweden will soon lower salary requirements for EU Blue Card
Unlike the other countries mentioned above, Sweden has yet to relax its EU Blue Card rules. The country has already announced some changes that will soon come into force.
In order to simplify the conditions for obtaining an EU Blue Card, Sweden plans to lower the minimum salary requirements soon.
Sweden wants to reduce the salary limit for receiving the card from the current 1.5 times the average monthly salary in Sweden to 1.25 times the average monthly salary.
This means that when the new rules come into force, applicants for an EU Blue Card will be entitled to the document provided they earn 4,300 euros instead of 5,200 euros per month.
As part of its measures to attract foreign talent, Sweden also wants to make it easier for foreigners with Swedish residence and work permits to switch to the EU Blue Card.
In addition, the new rules also aim to simplify the process of applying for a Swedish EU Blue Card for holders of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU country.
What are the requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card?
To apply for an EU Blue Card, foreign workers must meet several requirements. These are as follows:
- Provide evidence that you have a higher professional qualification.
- Work as a paid employee.
- Have an annual gross income of at least one and a half times the average national salary, unless a lower salary limit applies.
- Provide an employment contract in an EU country valid for at least one year.
- Have all necessary travel documents ready, including health insurance.
- Provide evidence of compliance with the legal requirements for practicing the profession if the profession is regulated.
The application for an EU Blue Card must be submitted to the competent authority in the country in which the foreign worker wishes to work.
