The Blue Card: What It Is and What It’s For

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The Blue Card: What It Is and What It's For

In an increasingly globalized world, international professional mobility has become an aspiration for many. The Blue Card represents a privileged gateway to the European labor market for highly qualified professionals from outside the EU. This work and residence permit not only facilitates job search in EU member states but also offers a range of advantages and rights that benefit both employers and workers. In this article, we will explain what the EU Blue Card entails, how it can transform your professional career, and the essential steps to apply for it.

What is the EU Blue Card?

The Blue Card is a temporary residence and work permit that allows you to live and work in all member states of the European Union. The Blue Card was designed to attract highly qualified individuals.

This permit is very similar to a highly skilled work permit, but the difference is that the Blue Card is governed by the national employment situation. In other words, to qualify for a job, there must be a shortage of local candidates, such as Spanish candidates in the case of Spain.

How long does the EU Blue Card last?

The duration of the Blue Card depends on the country where you will be working. Each EU country can determine the duration of the Blue Card.

Although each EU country decides the duration, it typically ranges from 1 to 4 years. In Spain, the duration is 12 months.

Who can apply for the EU Blue Card?

The Blue Card is a work and residence permit for foreign individuals who do not reside in any EU country and will be performing a qualified and specific job.

To obtain the Blue Card, you must meet the requirements for obtaining an initial authorization for residence and employment as an employee. The applicant must demonstrate that they have the qualifications and experience required for the job.

This can be demonstrated by:

  • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the same sector in which you will be working.
  • Qualifications from higher education with a minimum of 3 years.


Requirements to apply for the EU Blue Card

The requirements you must meet to apply for the Blue Card are as follows:

  1. Not being a citizen of any European Union country.
  2. Having no criminal record in Spain or in previous countries.
  3. Not being prohibited from entering Spain or listed as inadmissible in countries with which Spain has agreements.
  4. Having an employment contract classified as highly qualified.
    • The conditions set in the contract must comply with current regulations, and the gross salary must be at least 1.5 times the annual gross average salary.
  5. Providing evidence of higher education or training with a minimum of 3 years.

Where can you apply for the EU Blue Card?

To apply for the Blue Card, you can do so at:

  • Immigration Office
  • UGE (Union of Large Enterprises)
  • Directorate General of Immigration It’s important to note that the application is initiated by the employer, not the employee.

What documents do you need to obtain the Blue Card?

As you may know, the employer initiates the process to obtain the Blue Card. Therefore, the documents the employer needs to start the application are:

  1. Completed application form EX-05.
  2. Complete copy of the valid passport or travel document.
  3. Copy of the required training for the job.
  4. Signed employment contract by both parties.
  5. Document proving that the company is up to date with its tax and labor obligations.
  6. Detailed description of the job position.
  7. Proof that the company has the necessary means to perform the work and to undertake the hiring.
  8. Worker’s curriculum vitae.
  9. Payment of the fee. All documents submitted must be translated into Spanish and legalized.

What is the minimum salary to qualify for the European Blue Card?

As mentioned earlier, workers holding the Blue Card must earn 1.5 times the gross annual salary of the country where they will be working.

Each country has a different salary threshold. The minimum salary for the Blue Card in Spain is €33,908.

The European Blue Card is more than just a simple document; it is a passport to a promising future for highly qualified professionals seeking to expand their horizons in the European Union. Not only does it promote personal and professional growth by allowing holders to work in an international environment, but it also contributes to cultural exchange and to the advancement of the European economy by injecting talent and specialized skills.

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