The BLUE Card

The Blue Card is the EU’s bid to attract highly skilled workers, competing against the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Blue Card / Blue European Labour Card is an approved EU-wide work permit allowing high-skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in any country within the European Union, excluding Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, which are not subject to the proposal. The term Blue Card was coined by the think tank Bruegel, inspired by the United States 'Green Card' and making reference to the EU flag which is blue with twelve golden stars.

The Blue Card proposal presented by the European Commission offers a one-track procedure for non-EU citizens to apply for a work permit, which would be valid for up to two-years, but can be renewed thereafter. Those who are granted a blue card will be given a series of rights, such as favourable family unification rules. The proposal also encourages geographic mobility within the EU, between different member states, for those who have been granted a blue card.

EU Blue Card Criteria

Blue Card visa applications will be fast-tracked for highly skilled workers based on common criteria including:

• a work contract offered by an EU employer,

• professional qualifications and work experience,

• a minimum salary level which has to be at least three times the level of existing minimum wages at national level

EU Work Permit

Successful visa applicants admitted under the Blue Card scheme will receive a special residence and work permit, entitling them to EU residential and economic rights and favourable conditions for bringing along family members.

Access to the labour market in the country where the Blue Card is issued will be restricted for a minimum of two years after which holders of the card can move to another Member State for highly qualified work. Workers on the Blue Card can add up periods of residence in different Member States to obtain long-term EC residence, enabling them to buy a house, run a business, have investments, travel, obtain credit, get a driving license etc. in the EU.