Blue Card (European Union)

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The blue card is an approved EU-wide work permit (Directive (EU) 2021/1883)^[1] allowing highly skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in 25 of the 27 countries within the European Union excluding Denmark and Ireland, which are not subject to the proposal.^[2] However, according to new rules, if it is a business trip, it does allow entry to a Schengen area member country if the country issuing the Blue Card is not a member of the Schengen area (like EU member Cyprus). The term Blue Card was coined by the think tank Bruegel, inspired by the United States' green card (known officially as a permanent resident card) and making reference to the European flag which is blue with twelve golden stars.^[3]

The blue card proposal presented by the European Commission offers a one-track procedure for non-EU citizens to apply for a work permit, which would be valid for up to three years, but can be renewed thereafter. Blue card status also carries other rights, such as favourable family reunification rules. The proposal also encourages geographic mobility within the EU, between different member states, for those who have been granted a blue card. The legal basis for this proposal was Article 63(3) and (4) of the Treaty of Rome (now Article 79 TFEU).