In an attempt to attract more foreigners with professional qualifications, four European Union member states have simplified their EU Blue Card rules so far this year.
An EU Blue Card is a document that allows highly qualified non-EU workers to live and work in the bloc.
While there are some set criteria to be eligible for an EU Blue Card, each member state has the right to make changes to certain rules. The four countries that have simplified their EU Blue Card rules so far in 2024 are Greece, Estonia, Italy, and Slovakia, Schengen.News reports.
In addition to these four EU countries, Sweden has also announced plans to ease its EU Blue Cad conditions.
Greece Now Allows People Under Visa-Free Regime & Those Holding Short-Stay Visas to Apply for an EU Blue Card
As part of its move to make it easier for highly qualified foreigners 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.
Moreover, Greece has also changed the pre-screening requirements. Previously, it was mandatory for EU Blue Card applicants to undergo pre-screening. In line with the new rules, applicants now have the right to choose if they want to undergo this process or not.
Even though the pre-screening procedure can prolong the processing time for the EU Blue Card, foreigners are advised to choose still to undergo it to avoid having their application rejected or being asked to submit additional documents.
When applying for a Greek EU Blue Card, applicants need to pay an initial fee of €300. The card is valid for a period of two years, and those who want to renew it need to pay a €450 fee.
Estonia Has Facilitated Several of Its EU Blue Card Conditions
Earlier in April 2024, Estonia decided to facilitate five of its rules for EU Blue Card applicants. Since then, foreigners have been eligible to apply for Estonia’s EU Blue Card provided that they have five years of professional experience in a relevant field and are no longer required to present educational qualifications.
Before such a change came into force, only foreigners who held university degrees were eligible to apply for the document.
In addition to the above-mentioned, Estonia has also lowered job offer durations and the employment period during which a cardholder has the right to stay within the country’s territory.
In line with the new rules, foreigners can remain unemployed in Estonia’s territory for up to three months provided that they have been holding an EU Blue card for less than six years. On the other hand, those who have been holding an EU Blue Card for more than two years can remain unemployed in Estonia for up to six months.
Estonia has also made it easier for foreigners holding EU Blue Cards to change their employers. This group of workers can now change their employer without having to follow the labour market testing criteria.
However, they are still obliged to inform their employers that they plan to change their workplace.
Italy Permits Employers to Make Requests Online for Foreign Workers Holding EU Blue Cards
To make it simpler for employers to hire foreigners under the EU Blue Card, Italy now permits them to submit requests online.
Through the online portal, Italian employers can request highly qualified workers in different fields. Once the employers make the requests, highly qualified non-EU workers can apply for the positions, and if they meet the requirements, they are issued EU Blue Cards.
The minimum salary threshold for an Italian EU Blue Card is set at around €24,790. The initial Italian Blue Card fee is €00, and the same goes for its renewal.
Slovakia Has Relaxed 3 of Its EU Blue Card Rules
Given the current labour shortages in Slovakia, the country has also decided to simplify some of its EU Blue Card rules.
Effective July 15, 2024, Slovakia relaxed professional experience eligibility pathways. Employers in Slovakia are now able to hire foreign skilled workers from a wider pool of applicants.
In addition, the country has increased the validity period of the EU Blue Card from four to five years and has lowered the minimum salary requirement. The minimum salary for an EU Blue Card has been lowered to 1.2 times the average salary in the country.
Sweden to Soon Lower Salary Requirement for EU Blue Card
Different from the other countries mentioned above, Sweden has yet to facilitate its EU Blue Card rules. The country has already announced some changes, which are expected to come into effect soon.
In an attempt to facilitate the rules for obtaining an EU Blue Card, Sweden plans to lower the minimum salary requirement soon.
Sweden wants to reduce the salary threshold to be eligible for 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 as soon as the new rules are implemented, EU Blue Card applicants will be eligible for the document as long as they make €4,300 a month instead of €5,200.
As part of its measures to attract more foreign talent, Sweden wants to also make it simpler for foreigners who hold a Swedish residence and work permit to switch to the EU Blue Card.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the new rules 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.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for an EU Blue Card?
To apply for an EU Blue Card, foreign workers must fulfil several conditions, which are as follows:
- Prove they have higher professional qualifications.
- Work as a paid employee.
- Have an annual gross income of at least one and a half times the average national salary, except when a lower salary threshold is applied.
- Present a work contract in an EU country with a validity of at least one year.
- Have all necessary travel documents, including health insurance.
- Prove fulfilment of legal requirements to practice the profession in cases when the profession is regulated.
The application for an EU Blue Card needs to be submitted to the competent authorities in the country where the foreign workers wish to work.
