EU Blue Card: The Easy Way To The European Union Countries

EU Blue Card

People on social media are talking about the EU Blue Card and it had me curious to want to know all there is to know about it and to help you understand all about it,  to see if this is a possible route for you to be able to japa with.

The EU Blue Card was created for nationals and citizens from third-world countries to be able to go to the European Union for gainful employment and also through that able to get permanent residence. The EU Blue Card was especially created to draw in very qualified third-world citizens to do jobs in different fields of specialisation where there are a limited number of qualified personnel for the job or to fill the gap that might arise in the future. The EU Blue Card applies to 25 out of the 27 European Union countries.

The two countries where it does not apply are Ireland and Denmark. It is also important to note that you cannot change jobs immediately with the EU Blue Card, you have to stay employed by the same employer for the first two years unless you have permission from the National authorities to change that particular job. If it happens that you lose your job, you have about 3 months to find a new job, If after 3 months you still haven’t found a job, your EU Blue Card may be withdrawn and you may have to leave the country.

For university graduates from abroad, the EU Blue Card is the primary residence permit for them. It has a simple and unbureaucratic procedure that is made intentionally so to make things easy for citizens of third-world countries to be able to use their skills in the European Union. To make Europe a more attractive and welcoming destination for professionals outside the European Union is one of the reasons the EU Blue Card was created.

Requirements For The EU Blue Card

• Job Offer

You must have been offered a job providing you with at least 56,400 euros annually. 

• University Degree

You must have a university degree.

• Non-EU National

Applicant must not be an EU national or citizen.

• Specialised Professions

For specialised professions like natural scientists, engineers, IT specialists, mathematicians and doctors, you will need a job offer that pays you at least 43,992 euros every year.

• Application For Placement Approval

In this situation where there is a shortage of employees in these fields, the Federal Employment Agency will have to cross-check the terms and conditions of the job offer in order to be sure that the foreign workers are going to be treated well and not employed in more terrible working conditions than German workers. You will need to apply to the federal employment agency for approval that’s the central international and specialist placement service (ZAV).

• You Must Be A Paid Employee

You must work as a paid employee as the EU Blue Card does not allow for entrepreneurs or self-employed people. 

• Health Insurance

Another requirement is health insurance. You must have health insurance not just for yourself but also for every family member or relative that comes with you or comes to join you in the European Union.

• Proof Of Profession

You need proof that you have the legal requirements to practise your profession, including university certificates, professional certificates, and so on.

• Proof Of Contract

You must have proof of a good job offer or work contract in an EU country for at least a year.

• Necessary Travel Document

You must have all necessary travel documents and that includes your passport, police clearance, and all other documents that are demanded of you.

Benefits Of The EU Blue Card 

• You Have Socioeconomic Rights

You are entitled to socioeconomic rights, for example, you get unemployment benefits.

• Freedom Of Association

The EU Blue Card allows you to have freedom of association. 

• Free Movement In The Schengen Zone

Another great benefit of the EU Blue Card is that it grants you free movement within the Schengen area. As an EU Blue Card holder, you have the opportunity to go from one EU state to another for at least 10 months to try to get a job without an employment visa. Although your EU card has to be applied for at the relevant immigration of office within one month of entering the country. Click here to read more about the Schengen area.

• You Can Move With Your Family

You can relocate and move with your family or they can join you. The process is also made simple and easy with less stress for the cardholders. Even if they do not speak the language, spouses of the EU Blue Card holders are allowed and granted a residence permit and this also allows them to be able to seek gainful employment in the EU.

• Permanent Residence

The EU Blue Card allows you also to become a permanent resident. With the EU Blue Card and for example, a basic understanding of the German language (level A1), a holder of the card will be given a settlement permit after 33 months if they have been working during this time as a qualified employee and have made significant contributions to a pension insurance scheme. For people with German language level B2 sufficient knowledge, the waiting period is shortened to 21 months instead of 33 months.

• Good Salary And Working Conditions

The EU Blue Card provides you with a salary and working conditions the same as the nationals of the European Union states.