Filenews 17 January 2024
The amending bills that define the procedures for the EU Blue Card and concern the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals, for the purpose of highly qualified employment, were approved by the Council of Ministers at today's meeting.
According to the proposal presented by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, the proposed changes aim to adopt a more flexible framework for the entry and residence of highly qualified workers from outside the EU. In addition, more flexible rules are introduced to attract highly qualified workers to the EU, including more flexible admission conditions, enhanced rights and easier movement and work within the Union.
In addition, the new procedure gives concrete expression to the term 'highly qualified' with a higher education qualification of at least three years' duration. Directors and professionals in the field of information and communication technologies may alternatively have relevant professional experience of at least three years within the seven years preceding the application for a Blue Card.
The changes are in line with the talent attraction programme and are part of a broader effort to promote legal migration to replace irregular migration as a migration management measure. At the same time, they harmonize national legislation with the relevant Directive of the European Parliament.
In english - roughly the EU blue card An EU Blue Card is a residence permit for qualified non-EU foreign nationals to work in an EU country. It permits its holder to enter and remain in a particular EU country for employment.
The card facilitates the admission of non-EU highly skilled professionals into the EU. It intends to simplify the procedures and improve the legal status of those already in the EU.
The permit authorizes its holder to enter, re-enter and stay in the country that has issued it. Their family members can accompany them. The EU Blue Card holder and their family members are entitled to freedom of movement within the EU.
The EU Blue card holder enjoys equal treatment with the nationals of the Member State where they have settled. Yet, they can only work in the sector they are concerned about.
If a third-country national holds an EU Blue Card, after 18 months of regular employment, he or she can move to another EU member state to take up employment. He or she must notify the authorities there within one month of their arrival. Note that Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are not part of this program.
