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 for at least one year with a high salary compared to the average in the EU country where the job is. The EU Blue Card applies in 25 of the 27 EU countries. It does not apply in Denmark and Ireland.
To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:
- have a valid work contract for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
- meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
- for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
- for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications,
- present a valid travel document;
- present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it).
In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State.
What conditions must you fulfil to apply for an EU Blue Card?
- You must prove that you have ‘higher professional qualifications’, by showing a higher education qualification (such as a university degree). Some Member States may also accept at least five years of relevant professional experience (
- You must work as a paid employee – the EU Blue Card does not apply to self-employed work or entrepreneurs;
- Your annual gross salary must be at least one and a half times the average national salary – except when the lower salary threshold applies;
- You must present a work contract or binding job offer in an EU country for at least one year;
- You must have the necessary travel documents. You must have health insurance for yourself and any relatives who come to the EU with you.
