Who can get an EU Blue Card in 2025 and how?

The Blue Card provides a great opportunity to develop your career, live and work in Europe. It opens the door to high earnings, stability and the possibility of integration into European society. Find out how to obtain this document

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Highly qualified specialists from Ukraine are increasingly seeking employment in the European Union. The EU Blue Card programme has become one of the key opportunities for Ukrainians who want to work in highly skilled positions, legally reside in the EU and enjoy a number of benefits. We will tell you who can get a Blue Card in 2025, what requirements need to be met, and what is the application procedure.

What is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is a special permit for long-term residence and employment for citizens of non-EU countries. It is intended for highly skilled professionals with a university degree (at least a bachelor's degree) or significant professional experience.

What are its advantages?

First of all, the Blue Card allows you to bring your family members with you without additional permits and apply for permanent residence after 33 months (or 21 months if you have B1 language skills).

In addition, the Blue Card holder receives legal residence and employment in an EU country.

Main requirements for obtaining a Blue Card

To apply for an EU Blue Card, you must:

🔻 Higher education - a bachelor's degree or higher, or proven professional experience.

Job offer - an employment contract from an employer in an EU country.

🔻 Minimum wage - usually set at 1.5 times the average wage in the country, but this threshold may vary from country to country. For example, in Sweden, the minimum wage is reduced to 1.25 times the average wage.

🔻 Duration of the employment contract - most countries require a contract for at least a year. However, Sweden has simplified the requirements and allows contracts of six months or more.

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What professions are in demand?

Specialists in the following areas can apply for a Blue Card:

- IT and programming;

- engineering

- medicine

- architecture and design;

- teaching and research;

- law and other highly skilled professions.

How to apply for an EU Blue Card?

The process of obtaining a Blue Card varies from country to country, but the main steps include:

1. Collection of documents:

2. a completed application form;

3. passport or ID card;

4. diploma or proof of qualification;

5. employment contract;

6. health insurance.

Additionally, you may need a certificate of no criminal record, biography, CV and photographs.

The application is submitted to the consulate or migration service of an EU country. Waiting for a decision - the application process takes from one to three months.

If approved, a residence permit is issued for the duration of the employment contract plus a small margin of time (usually several months). The maximum validity of the Blue Card is four years, after which you can apply for permanent residence.

For assistance in moving to another country, as well as in collecting the necessary documents, please contact lawyers specialising in migration issues. Book a consultation on Visit Ukraine.

We remind you! Since the beginning of 2025, the minimum wage threshold for obtaining a residence card has been changed in Poland.

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