EU Blue Card – A Complete Guide for UK Residents Seeking to Work in Europe

You are eligible for an EU Blue Card if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a non-EU citizen.
• You have a valid job offer or employment contract in an EU member state that participates in the Blue Card scheme.
• The job is in a highly skilled occupation.
• You hold a university degree or have equivalent professional qualifications.
• Your salary meets the minimum threshold set by the destination country.
• You have valid travel documents (e.g., passport).
• You hold adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay.
• You do not pose a risk to public policy, security, or public health.

The following EU member states currently offer the EU Blue Card:

1. Germany
2. France
3. Netherlands
4. Sweden
5. Austria
6. Finland
7. Belgium
8. Italy
9. Spain
10. Poland
11. Czech Republic
12. Portugal
13. Hungary
14. Slovakia
15. Greece
16. Romania
17. Croatia
18. Lithuania
19. Latvia
20. Slovenia
21. Estonia
22. Bulgaria
23. Malta
24. Cyprus
25. Luxembourg

Note: Ireland and Denmark do not participate in the EU Blue Card scheme. Each country applies its own salary thresholds and documentation requirements but adheres to the core framework of the EU Blue Card directive.

Both Germany and France actively support the EU Blue Card, but Germany is generally considered more accessible due to its lower salary threshold and higher number of issued Blue Cards. Germany also allows applicants with certain non-academic qualifications and experience in IT to qualify without a university degree. France, while welcoming, tends to have stricter salary requirements and processing times may vary by prefecture. Overall, Germany has a more streamlined and applicant-friendly approach, making it a preferred destination for many professionals seeking a Blue Card.

Yes, you can change employers, but restrictions apply—especially within the first 12 months of your Blue Card validity. During this period, you usually need approval from the national immigration authorities before changing jobs. After the first year, most countries allow more flexibility, although you must still inform authorities of the change. If you move to another EU country, you must apply for a new Blue Card there. The process and timelines for job mobility may differ by member state, so it’s important to check local rules before changing employers.

• The salary threshold for the EU Blue Card varies by country and is typically set at a percentage above the national average gross salary. For example, in 2024:
• In Germany, the general threshold is €45,300, or €41,041.80 for shortage occupations.
• In France, it is around €53,836 per year.
• Some countries offer lower thresholds for younger professionals or roles in high-demand sectors such as engineering, IT, or healthcare. Always check the official immigration site of the destination country to confirm the exact figures applicable at the time of your application.

Yes, the EU Blue Card can lead to permanent residence in the issuing country. If you legally reside for 33 months with a Blue Card (or 21 months with B1-level language proficiency), you can apply for a permanent residence permit in countries like Germany. Additionally, after residing legally in the EU for five consecutive years, including at least two years in the current member state, you may qualify for an EU long-term residence permit. This offers more mobility and equal rights across the EU, such as access to education, work, and healthcare.

The EU Blue Card is a legal document issued to highly competent workers from outside the European Union and allows them to reside in any EU country and work. The highly qualified workers must have the following to be considered for an EU Blue Card:

• Higher educational qualifications like a university degree or a college diploma
• Contract of employment or a job offer that is issued for a period of 1 year with an income that is 1.5 times more than the average of the EU country.
• Have the essential travel documents to enter the EU
• Adequate health insurance for yourself and your family members
• Meet the legal requirements in order to practise your profession.

Yes, EU Blue Card holders can bring their parents to a particular European country. But it is mandatory for the parents to meet the relevant conditions and lodge their applications at the same time as the primary EU Blue Card applicant to get residence permit.  

The difference between an EU Blue Card and a PR is listed in the following table:

It takes around three months to get an EU Blue Card. This might vary based on the selected European country and the information submitted at the immigration office.

EU Blue Card offers many benefits, and they are as follows:

• Income and working conditions on par with the citizens of the European country
• If your EU Blue Card was not issued in Bulgaria, Romania, or Cyprus, then you have the freedom to travel without any limits in the Schengen zone (exceptions are the UK and Ireland)
• Avail many social benefits like residents or citizens like unemployment benefits.
• Can apply for permanent residency upon satisfying eligibility
• Can reunite with family members

You can apply for permanent residency in a European country after working for a period of 2 to 5 years.

If you have signed a minimum of 1 year employment contract, have tertiary education qualifications like a Master’s degree or diploma and an adequate health insurance are eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card in Poland.

It is mandatory to have a minimum income that is 1.5 times the German national annual average, which is around 58,400 EURO, to obtain an EU Blue Card. However, you can meet the lower income threshold of around 45 552 EURO for the following professions:

• Professionals in the Science and Engineering sectors
• Doctors except Dentists
• Professionals in the Information and Communication Technology sectors

Around 24 European countries have issued the EU Blue Card. You can work in any of the following 24 countries:

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.

You cannot work in Ireland and Denmark with an EU Blue Card as they do not issue it.

The EU Blue Card is a permit that allows non-EU citizens with advanced skills to live and work in an EU nation. It targets professionals who hold a university degree and have secured a job in a high-skilled field. Candidates must meet the minimum salary requirement of the country where they plan to work. This card enables long-term residency, family relocation, and the chance to apply for permanent residency later on. It's suited for skilled people seeking jobs and the ability to move between EU countries. Most EU countries participate in this program, except for Ireland and Denmark.

Yes, you can bring your family on an EU Blue Card. Those holding an EU Blue Card can bring their spouse or registered partner and dependent children to live with them. Most countries allow families to reunite as soon as the Blue Card is valid. Usually, spouses can live and work in the host country without needing their own work permit. To do this, you'll need to show proof of your family relationship, where you will live, and that you can support them financially. This policy, which supports families, is a major benefit of the Blue Card. It lets your family fully integrate and have a stable life in Europe.

The EU Blue Card's first term is usually 1 to 4 years, which depends on the country and often matches your work contract. You can renew the card if you still meet the rules, like having a job and meeting the salary requirement. After living in the EU for five years straight, with time on the Blue Card in different countries included, you can apply for long-term EU residency or permanent residency in the country where you live, based on that country's laws.

Yes, you can change jobs with an EU Blue Card. In most countries, people must stay with their first employer for 12–24 months before switching jobs. After this, a change is allowed, but it usually requires notifying immigration or requesting an amendment. The new job should still meet Blue Card standards, like proper pay and needed skills. It's important that people review their host country's rules before making changes, since not following them can risk their ability to legally stay and work.

Yes, you can move to another EU Country with your valid Blue Card. The EU Blue Card provides mobility within the EU. International professionals can relocate to another participating country for work after living legally in their first EU country for 12 to 18 months. A new Blue Card application is required in the second country, but the process is simpler. The time spent in the first country counts toward long-term residency. This card works well for professionals wanting regional flexibility within the EU.

If you lose your job while holding an EU Blue Card in Germany, you must notify the immigration authority immediately. The Blue Card is tied to your employment, but German law allows a grace period of up to three months to find new work. During this time, you may remain legally in Germany, provided you continue to meet residence conditions. If you secure new employment within this period, you can keep your Blue Card, as long as the new position also meets Blue Card requirements, such as minimum salary thresholds and qualifications recognition.