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

Highlights: Top EU countries with simplified EU Blue card rules

• Four EU countries have eased the criteria for EU Blue card to deal with the labor shortage situation.
• Greece, Italy, Slovakia, and Estonia have simplified the criteria to obtain an EU Blue card.
• On the other hand, Sweden announced plans to reduce the salary requirements for the EU Blue card.
• The EU Blue Card is an official document that authorizes non-EU and highly skilled foreign workers to live and work in an EU member state.

 

 *Looking to migrate overseas? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete assistance.

 

Top 4 EU Countries with relaxed EU Blue card rules in 2024

Slovakia, Italy, Estonia, and Greece are top EU member states that have relaxed their EU blue card rules in 2024. Sweden also announced modifications to some of its current rules. The EU countries have decided to address the ongoing labor shortage situation. An EU Blue card is an official work permit that allows skilled foreign workers to live and work in any of the EU member states.

 

Given below are the changes announced by the four EU countries:

 

Short-stay visa holders and those under the Visa-free regime can now apply for Greek EU Blue card

Greece has relaxed Blue card policies for short-stay visa holders and those under the visa-free regime. Starting June 5, 2024, individuals who have entered the country via the visa-free regime and those with short-stay Schengen visas will be eligible to apply for an EU Blue card.

 

Some of the other relaxation policies for the Greek EU Blue card are as follows:

 

• The Greek EU Blue card fee is set at €300 with a renewal fee of €450.
• Once acquired, the Greek EU Blue card will be valid for two years.
• The pre-screening requirements that were once mandatory for EU blue card applicants are now optional.  

 

Note: It is, however, advised to go through the pre-screening procedure to avoid being asked for additional information and having your application rejected, as this can delay the EU Blue card processing time.

 

*Want to work in Greece? Avail Y-Axis Job Search services to help you find the right one.

 

Changes Announced to Estonia EU Blue card

In April 2024, Estonia announced five changes to the EU Blue card criteria. The relaxation policies for Estonia's EU Blue card are as follows:

 

• Foreigners with five years of professional experience in relevant fields can apply for the EU Blue card without presenting educational qualifications. This change reverses the previous rule that only those with a university degree could apply.
• Foreign nationals can remain in the country for up to three months even without employment, provided they have been EU Blue card holders for six years or less.
• Foreign nationals who have been EU blue card holders for over two years can stay unemployed in the country for a maximum of 6 months.
• Foreign EU Blue card holders can now change employers without having to undergo the criteria for labor market testing, provided they inform their current employer about the plan.

 

*Want to work abroad? Let Y-Axis assist you with the process.

 

Employers in Italy can make online requests for Foreign EU Blue card holders

Italy now allows employers to submit online requests to make the process of recruiting foreign workers easier. Employers can now request highly skilled and qualified workers across different fields via the online portal. Interested non-EU workers with the required skills can apply for the positions and are granted an EU Blue card if the requirements are met. An Italian EU Blue card's salary threshold is €24,790, with €100 as the registration and renewal fee.

 

*Looking to apply for an Italian work permit? Let Y-Axis help you with the process.

 

Top 3 major changes in Slovakia EU Blue card

The country has modified the changes for the EU blue card following the labor shortage situation.

 

The relaxation policies for Slovakia's EU Blue card are as follows:

 

• Starting from July 15, 2024, the country eased the eligibility pathways for professional experience, allowing employers to recruit skilled foreign workers from a broader range of candidates.
• The EU Blue card validity has increased from four to five years.  
• The minimum salary requirement for an EU Blue card has now been reduced by 1.2 times the average salary.

 

*Want to look for opportunities in Slovakia? Sign up for the Free Y-Axis webinar to make an informed decision.

 

Salary requirements to reduce for Sweden EU Blue card

Sweden, unlike other EU countries, has yet to implement the EU Blue card rules.

One of the main changes that is expected to come into effect is that the country plans to reduce the salary requirements for the EU blue card.

 

• The country is expected to lower the salary requirement from 1.5 times the average monthly salary to 1.25 times the salary.
• Applicants earning €4,300 per month can now apply for a Swedish EU Blue card.
• Sweden will also make it easier for those with a Swedish residence and work permit to switch to the EU Blue card.
• Rules will also be simplified for EU Blue cardholders of other countries to apply for a Swedish EU Blue card.

 

*Looking to work in Sweden? Let Y-Axis assist you with the procedure.

 

Eligibility Criteria for an EU Blue card

The eligibility criteria to apply for an EU Blue card are as follows:

• Proof that you have higher professional qualifications
• Be working as a paid employee.
• Earn an annual gross income that is one and half times the average national salary (provided there is a lower salary threshold)
• Have a work permit with a validity of at least 12 months.
• Have all the required travel documents, including health insurance
• Fulfill the legal requirements to freely practice the profession in cases where the profession is regulated.

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Overseas Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and immigration consultancy in the UAE!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, Check out Y-Axis Immigration News!