Blue Card: New EU Freedom for Skilled Workers and Families

We are pleased to announce that, Cyprus has officially implemented the EU Blue Card scheme. This important initiative streamlines the process for employing highly skilled third country nationals, offering significant advantages for both employers and professionals. The EU Blue Card enables qualified individuals to live and work in Cyprus and in most EU Member States (excluding Denmark and Ireland), as well as in EEA countries such as Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. The card is initially valid for up to 24 months, depending on the duration of the applicant’s employment contract and passport validity.
WHAT IS THE ‘BLUE CARD’?
The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit designed for highly skilled non-EU nationals who want to live and work in an EU Member State. Its main objective is to attract qualified professionals from outside the EU to help address labour shortages, while also advancing
the labour force with more qualified individuals.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A BLUE CARD?
1. The scheme is targeting highly qualified Individuals who possess a higher education degree (usually a bachelor’s or higher) (The degree they hold must match the job for which they are being hired in the EU) OR have at least 3 years of relevant experience in the past 7 years.
2. Furthermore, the individual must hold a Job Offer or
Work Contract in the EU with a duration of 6 months in:
■ Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
■ Pharmaceutical research
■ Maritime (excluding ship captains and crew)
3. It is required that the individual satisfies the Minimum
Salary Requirement, which is €43.632.
4. Reside outside Cyprus, OR hold a valid residence
permit or visa in Cyprus.
5. Hold valid Health Insurance.
6. Possess a passport valid for the duration of the Blue
Card.
CHANGING EMPLOYER
The individual cannot change employers within the first 12 months. After 12 months, the individual can change jobs, but they must obtain approval from the national immigration authority.
ADVANTAGES FOR A BLUE CARD HOLDER
A Blue Card holder can move to another EU country (that participates in the Blue Card scheme) to live and work, under simplified conditions. This becomes possible after the first 12 months of the individual entering their first EU Member State.
FAMILIES OF BLUE CARD HOLDERS
Family members of EU Blue Card holders can join them in the EU even if they do not have a Blue Card themselves. They obtain a dependent residence permit
(often referred to as a family reunification permit), which enables them to reside and possibly work in the EU based on their relationship to the holder of the Blue Card. Dependent children can attend school under the same conditions as nationals or other residents. The family can also move within the EU under the same criteria as the Blue Card holder. The only difference is that the procedure for the family may take longer.
For further information and assistance please contact us.