Estonia has relaxed the rules for оbtaining the EU Blue Card

Starting from April 15, 2024, Estonia has introduced several changes to the rules for obtaining the EU Blue Card, making it more accessible to citizens from non-EU countries.

The key changes:

• Estonia has reduced the educational requirements for applying for the EU Blue Card. Previously, a higher education degree was mandatory. Now, however, five years of professional experience in the relevant field can be considered equivalent to higher education.
• Lower job offer durations. The time limit of the employment contract required to obtain the EU Blue Card has been reduced from one year to six months.
• The allowable period of unemployment for EU Blue Card holders has been extended. Now, those who have held the card for less than two years can be unemployed for up to three months, and those who have had the card for more than two years can be unemployed for up to six months.
• The rules for changing employers have been relaxed for EU Blue Card holders. Holders of the EU Blue Card who have worked in any member state of the EU are now eligible to change their employer in Estonia without being subject to the labour market testing criteria.
• The new rules ensure that EU Blue Card holders and their family members will not have fewer rights than holders of national work permits.

The aim

New relaxed rules aim to harmonise the entry and residence conditions for highly qualified workers and ultimately increase the attractiveness of the EU Blue Card.

The background

In September 2021, the European Parliament approved a revision of the "EU Blue Card" directive, which facilitates the entry of highly qualified workers from non-EU countries into the EU. The legislative proposal includes an admission scheme for low and medium-skilled workers from third countries to fill job vacancies and better meet the diverse needs of the labor market.

Source: Schengen Visa Info

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