Individuals with a work contract to work in the EU and with proof of a higher professional qualification or equivalent experience
Who is a highly-qualified worker under the EU Blue Card Directive?
You are considered a highly-qualified worker if you have a work contract (or a binding job offer) of at least one year, and if you meet the conditions listed below:
- You must prove that you have ‘higher professional qualifications’, either by showing a higher education qualification (such as a university degree) or by having at least five years of relevant professional experience (if such experience is recognised as qualifications in the Member State concerned);
- You must work as a paid employee - the EU Blue Card does not apply to self-employed work or entrepreneurs;
- Your annual gross salary meets the national salary threshold which must be at least one and a half times the average national salary;
- You must have the necessary travel documents. You must have health insurance for yourself and any relatives who come to the EU with you;
- You must prove that you fulfil the legal requirements to practice your profession, where this profession is regulated.
What is an EU Blue Card?
An EU Blue Card gives highly-qualified workers from outside the EU the right to live and work in an EU country, provided they have higher professional qualifications, such as a university degree, and an employment contract or a binding job offer with a high salary compared to the average in the EU country where the job is. Member States may also have their national schemes for highly qualified workers with different definitions and conditions compared to the EU Blue Card.
EU Blue Card Benefits
The EU Blue Card is such a sought after visa because it provides a wide range of benefits that supersede traditional work visas in most EU countries. Here are some of the biggest benefits of having an EU Blue Card:
- Travel freely within the EU
- Get the same work and travel conditions as citizens of the country
- Bring family members
- Permanent residency rights
- Access to the same social programs as citizens, including education, healthcare, and travel
Can the card be taken away?
EU Blue Cards can be revoked in a limited number of circumstances:
- If the Blue Card holder no longer has a valid passport
- If the card holder’s employer committed fraud
- If the card holder’s application documents are proven false
- If the card holder no longer meets the required conditions
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