These 4 Countries made EU Blue Card easy. Find out how?

Highlights: Four countries that made simplified EU Blue Card rules in 2024

• Four countries have eased their EU Blue Card criteria in 2024.
• The four countries are Greece, Estonia, Italy, and Slovakia.
• Sweden has also announced plans to simplify some of its current rules.
• These countries have simpler EU Blue Card processes to address labor shortages.

 

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Details of EU Blue Card

Four European Countries have simplified their EU Blue Card procedure to attract more foreign workers with professional qualifications.

 

An EU Blue Card is a document that allows highly qualified non-EU workers to live and work in the country. To be eligible for an EU Blue Card it is necessary to qualify for it. Each country has the right to change specific rules for EU Blue Card.

 

The Four countries that have simplified their EU Blue Card rules in 2024 are Greece, Estonia, Italy, and Slovakia. There is one more EU country other than these four countries, Sweden.

 

Countries that eased the EU Blue Card Procedure

Greece

Greece has made it easier for highly qualified foreigners as it is necessary to reach the country for work purposes. Since June 5, 2024, Greece has permitted those entering under the visa-free regime or those holding a short-stay Schengen visa to apply for an EU Blue card.

 

Greece has also changed the pre-screening requirements. Previously, it was mandatory for EU Blue Card applicants to undergo pre-screening. Under the new rules, applicants now have the option to choose whether to undergo the process.

 

Previously, the pre-screening procedure had exceeded the processing time for the EU Blue Card. Foreigners are advised to choose and still undergo it to avoid problems regarding their application rejection or being asked to submit additional documents.

 

When applying for a Greek EU Blue Card, applicants must pay an initial fee of €300. The card is valid for two years, and those wanting to renew it must pay a €450 fee.  

 

Estonia

In early April 2024, Estonia decided to facilitate five EU Blue Card application rules. Since then, foreign nationals have been eligible to apply for Estonia’s EU Blue Card, provided that they have five years of professional experience in relevant fields and are no longer required to present educational qualifications.

 

Before this change came into force, only foreign nationals were eligible to apply for the document. Estonia has also lowered the duration of job offers and the employment period during which a cardholder has the right to stay within the country’s territory.

 

Foreign nationals can remain unemployed in Estonian territory for up to three months, including if they have held an EU Blue Card for less than six years. On the other hand, those holding an EU Blue Card for more than two years can remain unemployed in Estonia for up to six months.  

 

Estonia has made it easier for foreign nationals who are EU Blue Card holders to change their employers. This group of workers can change their employer without following the labor market testing criteria. They must inform their employers if they plan to change their workplace.

 

Italy

Italy has made it easier for employers to hire foreigners and submit permit requests online under the EU Blue Card.

 

Italian employers can request highly qualified workers in different fields through the online portal. Once the employers make the request, highly qualified non-EU workers can apply for the positions. If they meet the requirements, they are issued an EU Blue Card.

 

The minimum salary threshold for an Italian EU Blue Card is around €24,790. The initial Italian Blue Card fee is €00, and the same applies to its renewal.

 

*Want to work in Italy? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

 

Slovakia

Due to the current labor shortages in Slovakia, the country has also decided to simplify some of its EU Blue Card rules. Slovakia has relaxed professional experience eligibility pathways effective from July 15, 2024. Slovakia employers can hire foreign skilled workers from a wider pool of applicants.

 

The country has increased the validity period of the EU Blue Card from four to five years and lowered the minimum salary requirement to 1.2 times the average salary in the country.

 

Sweden

Sweden differs slightly from the other EU countries; it must still facilitate its EU Blue Card rules. The government has already announced some changes, which are expected to take effect soon.

 

Sweden wants to reduce the salary threshold to be eligible for the card from 1.5 times the average monthly salary in Sweden to 1.25 times the monthly average wage.

 

This also means Sweden will also implement new rules as soon as possible. EU Blue Card applicants will be eligible for the document if they make €4,300 a month instead of €5,200.

 

As part of its measure to attract more foreign talent, Sweden wants to simplify it for foreigners with Swedish residence and work permits to switch to the EU Blue Card.

 

The new rules will also aim to simplify the procedure for those who hold an EU Blue Card issued by another EU country to apply for a Swedish EU Blue Card.

 

*Want to work in Sweden? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

 

Eligibility Criteria to apply for an EU Blue Card

To apply for an EU Blue Card, foreign workers must fulfill the eligibility conditions such as:

 

• Proof of higher professional qualifications
• Work as a paid employee
• Annual salary gross income is at least 1.5 times the average national salary, except when a lower salary threshold is applied.
• Proof of work contract of valid one year in an EU country
• Submit travel documents, including health insurance.
• Fulfill the legal requirements to practice the profession.

 

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