EU Blue Card Network Live and work in Europe

Questions

EU Blue Card

• Am I eligible for the EU Blue Card?

  You are eligible if you are a non-EU citizen and have completed tertiary education, or if you have at least three years of experience in a certain profession and consider yourself highly skilled in that profession.

• Do I need an EU Blue Card to work in the EU?

  Non-EU citizens who want to work in the EU always need authorization.
  You may not need a visa to enter the EU, but you always need a permit to work.
  A permit is for long-term employment of 90 days or more, while a work visa is for short-term employment of up to 90 days. The Blue Card is both a work and residence permit.

• I'm in Europe on a student visa, am I eligible for the EU Blue Card?

  Upon completion of your studies, you may be able to continue your stay in Europe on an EU Blue Card. Many European countries allow graduates to remain in Europe for several months after graduation to explore the labour market.

• Can the EU Blue Card lead to permanent residency in the EU?

  Yes, time spent employed on an EU Blue Card, whether in one country or across several countries, accumulates. After two to five years, depending on the country of residence, you may apply for permanent residency.

• I am a permanent resident of EU country "A" and want to work in EU country "B".

  To work in country "B", you would need either a short-term work visa or a work permit, such as an EU Blue Card.

• Which European countries issue the EU Blue Card?

  The following EU countries issue the EU Blue Card:
  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
  Ireland and Denmark do not issue the blue card.

• Do I have to be in Europe in order to apply for the EU Blue Card?

  Your current location is not relevant. Applying for the EU Blue Card does not require your physical presence in Europe.

• Who issues the EU Blue Card?

  The immigration services of the country in which the employment and residence will be taken up.

• What will my salary be in the EU?

  The EU Blue Card Directive provides that the employer must pay the card holder a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross salary in the respective country. This is a rule of thumb. Each country has a specific threshold, which is updated regularly. Please contact support for the latest details.

• How successful is the EU Blue Card?

  The EU Blue Card is certainly gaining momentum.
  Over the years, the number of EU Blue Cards issued has steadily increased. The number of family reunifications based on the EU Blue Card has also increased.

• Are there any language requirements for the EU Blue Card?

  No, there are no language requirements set by the EU Blue Card Directive.

• Can I travel throughout Europe with my EU Blue Card?

  You can travel throughout Europe with your EU Blue Card without the need for a visa.
  You only need a visa when the European country is not a Schengen member state. Most countries are in Schengen, notably the United Kingdom is not.

EU Blue Card Network - Candidates

• How long will my profile remain active in the EU Blue Card Network?

  There is no end date. Your profile remains in the Network, and you continue to have full access. To delete your profile, please send an email to support using your login email address.

• What does credential in my profile mean?

  The EU Blue Card holder is expected to have a certain level of education or professional experience.
  Credential verification gives potential employers confidence that the candidate meets the educational and/or professional qualities necessary to meet EU Blue Card eligibility, and demonstrates candidate's commitment to continuing their career in the European Union.

• What does employer views in my profile mean?

  This is the number of times an employer or recruiter has viewed your profile. This number is updated weekly.

• The submit application button is not active on the profile page. When will it become active?

  When your profile is 100% completed the 'submit application' button is activated.
  Credential verification often completes the remaining 10%. A completed profile makes you fully visible in the Network and activates the application submission function. Once activated, the submit application button remains active for five years.

• In my profile, what is meant by leaving the date of availability to default?

  If you are available for employment immediately or within one month, set the date of availability to day/month/year. This is the first option in each of the date fields.

• How can I reset my password?

  When an invalid password in entered, the login follow-up page will provide instructions for setting a new password.

EU Blue Card Network - Employers

• I’m in need of qualified professionals, how do I get an account?

  The quickest way is to send us an email with your request. We will ask for some details about your organisation and then set up an account for you, usually within two business days. We do not charge employers any commission or fee when they successfully find candidates through our platform.

• The advantages of the EU Blue Card for employees are clear, but what is my advantage?

  EU Blue Card issuance is a fast-track procedure. It has priority over alternative permits. The EU Blue Card Directive urges European immigration services to complete the application process within three months. All that is needed to start the process is to present the candidate employee with an employment contract or a binding job offer for a minimum term of six months.

• Can I issue an employment contract while my candidate does not have a work permit?

  Employers may issue a binding job offer stating that an employment contract will be issued once the candidate is granted a work permit, such as an EU Blue Card. This assures the immigration authorities that employment is secured.

• Can I send my employee who has a Blue Card to work temporarily in another EU country?

  A business trip is allowed, such as attending a meeting, seminar, or workshop. If 'real' employment takes place in that other country, the immigration authorities of that country must first issue a work visa.

• How long does it take for an EU Blue Card to be issued?

  When all conditions are met, issuance takes at most three months. Some countries issue it within a few weeks.

Support

• I have a question, how can I get in touch?

  Please see our contact page for details - link in the menu above.