The EU Blue Card is the EU’s flagship route for highly qualified non-EU professionals. It’s designed for fast-moving companies and ambitious talent who want clear rules, portable careers, and family-friendly status across (most of) the EU.
Who it’s for
Highly qualified specialists and leaders in tech, product, data, R&D, design, and other knowledge roles
Employers that need a reliable, scalable path to bring non-EU talent into EU teams
Key advantages (at a glance)
Single, high-skill permit with consistent core rules across 25 EU countries.
Lowered salary/contract thresholds vs. the old regime (min. 6-month contract; salary tied to each country’s average pay, generally within a 1.0–1.6× band).
Mobility upgrades: switch employers more flexibly, and move between EU countries faster after time in the first country.
Family-friendly: easier family joining compared to many national permits (details vary by country).
Not sure which country’s thresholds you meet? We’ll benchmark your role and offer against current national rules and the Blue Card criteria.
Core eligibility (what most countries expect)
Higher education degree or ~5 years of relevant professional experience (where accepted).
Binding job offer/contract for ≥ 6 months in a highly qualified role.
Salary at/above the national Blue Card threshold (set yearly by each country, usually a multiplier of the average salary).
How the process usually works
Role & offer check: Confirm the position is “highly qualified” and the salary meets the current national threshold.
Collect documents: Degree/experience evidence, signed contract, passport, and employer confirmations (country-specific).
Apply online + ID check: File via the national portal; do biometrics/identity at a consulate or in-country office (varies).
Decision & entry: On approval, travel with your visa or residence card; some countries support expedited entry options (e.g., Finland’s D-visa).
Post-arrival setup: Register in population/tax systems, get ID number, healthcare/social security, bank, etc. (we orchestrate this).
Mobility & flexibility (the 2021/1883 upgrade)
Easier intra-EU career moves: earlier eligibility to move from your first EU country to the next; shorter required time in the first country.
Employer/role changes: more flexible switching rules in many countries (notify rather than fully re-apply, where implemented).
EU Blue Card vs. national permits
The Blue Card often offers clearer salary rules, stronger mobility, and family benefits. But in some ecosystems, national high-skill routes (e.g., Sweden’s standard work permit for certain cases, the Netherlands’ HSM route, France’s Talent Pass) can be faster or better for specific profiles. We help you pick the winning path per candidate and country.
For employers: how we make it easy
Offer calibration: We validate salary/role fit against the live threshold in your target country (and alternatives if you’re flexible).
Case assembly & filing: Country-specific checklists, document prep, translations, and submission.
Family applications: Spouse/partner/children filing in parallel where eligible.
Post-arrival playbook: Registration, tax, healthcare, ID numbers, banking—sequenced correctly to avoid payroll/benefit delays.
Quick FAQs
Do I need a degree? Often yes, but several countries accept ~5 years of high-level experience as an alternative route.
What salary qualifies? Each country sets a threshold (updated annually). Expect a range tied to average national salaries; we’ll confirm the current figure for your target location.
How long is it valid? Typically up to 2–4 years, renewable; exact durations vary by country.
Can I switch countries later? Yes, easier intra-EU mobility is a core feature after time in your first country.
Next step
Want a yes-or-no on Blue Card eligibility this week? Share the role, location, and comp, we’ll map your options and guide you (and your candidate) end-to-end.