EU Blue Card vs. German Residence Permit: Which One Should You Download?

How to Download a Blue Card: A Guide for Non-EU Professionals

If you are a highly skilled non-EU professional who wants to work and live in the European Union, you may have heard of the blue card. The blue card is a residence and work permit that allows you to access the EU labor market and enjoy many benefits. But how can you download a blue card and what are the steps involved? In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about downloading a blue card, from the eligibility criteria and application process to the validity period and renewal options. We will also cover how to move to another EU country with a blue card if you wish to change employers or explore new opportunities.

What is a blue card and why is it useful for non-EU professionals who want to work in the EU?

A blue card is an approved EU-wide work permit that allows highly skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in 25 of the 27 countries within the European Union, excluding Denmark and Ireland. The card facilitates the admission of non-EU highly skilled professionals into the EU. It is not related to the blue card system that regulates activities that are essential to childrens lives.

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A blue card is useful for non-EU professionals who want to work in the EU because it offers many advantages, such as:

• Travel freely within the EU (for cards issued in Schengen countries)

• Get the same work and travel conditions as citizens of the country where you have settled

• Obtain a permanent residence permit after 33 months of employment or after 21 months with proof of good German language proficiency (B1) (in Germany)

• Bring your family members with you and allow them to work without restrictions

• Change employers or countries within the EU after 18 months of regular employment

• Enjoy equal treatment with the nationals of the Member State where you have settled in terms of working conditions, social security, education, etc.

What are the requirements for applying for a blue card?

To apply for a blue card, you must meet the following general requirements:

• You must have a higher education degree, either German or from a university that is recognized in Germany. Certain professions, like health, law, teaching, and engineering, are regulated, so in addition to presenting your degree, you must also have it recognized.

• You must have a concrete job offer from an EU employer that matches your qualifications and lasts for at least one year.

• You must have a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate).

• You must have proof of sickness insurance (or proof of having applied for it).

• You must not pose a threat to public policy or security in the view of the Member State.

• You must meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in that country).

How to download a blue card in different EU countries?

The application process and documents needed for downloading a blue card in different EU countries may vary depending on the specific rules and procedures of each member state. However, the general steps are as follows:

How to download a blue card in Germany

Germany is one of the most popular destinations for non-EU professionals who want to work in the EU with a blue card. Here are the main steps to download a blue card in Germany:

• Find a job offer that matches your qualifications and meets the minimum salary threshold. For 2021, the minimum salary for a blue card in Germany is 56,800 euros per year, or 44,304 euros per year for shortage occupations such as engineers, IT specialists, doctors, or mathematicians.

• Apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in your country of origin or residence. You will need to submit your passport, application form, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, and biometric photos. The visa fee is 75 euros.

• Travel to Germany with your visa and register your address at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) within two weeks of arrival.

• Apply for a blue card at the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) within three months of arrival. You will need to present your passport, visa, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, biometric photos, and proof of address registration. The blue card fee is 140 euros.

• Receive your blue card by post or collect it in person at the foreigners authority. The blue card is valid for four years or for the duration of your employment contract plus three months, whichever is shorter.

• Renew your blue card before it expires if you want to continue working in Germany. You will need to submit your passport, current blue card, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, biometric photos, and proof of address registration. The renewal fee is 100 euros.

How to download a blue card in France

France is another attractive destination for non-EU professionals who want to work in the EU with a blue card. Here are the main steps to download a blue card in France:

• Find a job offer that matches your qualifications and meets the minimum salary threshold. For 2021, the minimum salary for a blue card in France is 53,836.50 euros per year.

• Apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) and a talent passport residence permit (passeport talent) with the mention EU Blue Card at the French consulate in your country of origin or residence. You will need to submit your passport, application form, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, and biometric photos. The visa fee is 99 euros.

• Travel to France with your visa and register with the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within three months of arrival. You will need to present your passport, visa, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, and proof of address. You may also have to undergo a medical examination and attend an integration session.

• Receive your talent passport residence permit with the mention EU Blue Card by post or collect it in person at the prefecture (préfecture). The residence permit fee is 269 euros.

• Renew your residence permit before it expires if you want to continue working in France. You will need to submit your passport, current residence permit, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, biometric photos, and proof of address. The renewal fee is 269 euros.

How to download a blue card in Spain

Spain is also a popular destination for non-EU professionals who want to work in the EU with a blue card. Here are the main steps to download a blue card in Spain:

• Find a job offer that matches your qualifications and meets the minimum salary threshold. For 2020, the minimum salary for a blue card in Spain is 33,908 euros per year.

• Apply for a long-stay visa (visa de larga duración) and a talent passport residence permit (tarjeta de residencia de larga duración para profesionales altamente cualificados) at the Spanish consulate in your country of origin or residence. You will need to submit your passport, application form, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, and biometric photos. The visa fee is 80 euros.

• Travel to Spain with your visa and apply for your residence permit at the immigration office (oficina de extranjería) within one month of arrival. You will need to present your passport, visa, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, biometric photos, and proof of address. The residence permit fee is 21.02 euros.

• Receive your residence permit by post or collect it in person at the immigration office. The residence permit is valid for one year or for the duration of your employment contract, whichever is shorter.

• Renew your residence permit before it expires if you want to continue working in Spain. You will need to submit your passport, current residence permit, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, biometric photos, and proof of address. The renewal fee is 21.02 euros.

How to move to another EU country with a blue card?

If you have a blue card and you want to move to another EU country with a blue card scheme, you can do so under certain conditions and procedures. Here are the main steps to move to another EU country with a blue card:

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• Find a job offer in the EU country where you want to move that matches your qualifications and meets the minimum salary threshold.

• Apply for a new blue card in the EU country where you want to move at least one month before your planned departure. You will need to submit your passport, current blue card, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, and biometric photos. The visa fee and the residence permit fee may vary depending on the country.

• Notify the authorities of the EU country where you currently reside that you intend to leave and return your current blue card.

• Travel to the EU country where you want to move with your new visa and register your address at the local registration office within two weeks of arrival.

• Apply for a new residence permit at the local foreigners authority within three months of arrival. You will need to present your passport, visa, job offer, proof of qualifications, health insurance, biometric photos, and proof of address registration.

• Receive your new blue card by post or collect it in person at the foreigners authority. The blue card is valid for four years or for the duration of your employment contract plus three months, whichever is shorter.

• Renew your blue card before it expires if you want to continue working in the EU country where you have moved.

The advantages of having a blue card for mobility within the EU are:

• You do not need to apply for a work permit in the EU country where you want to move.

• You do not need to wait for 18 months of regular employment in the first EU country before moving to another EU country.

• You can accumulate periods of residence in different EU countries towards obtaining long-term resident status.

Conclusion

In conclusion, downloading a blue card is a great option for non-EU professionals who want to work and live in the EU. A blue card allows you to access the EU labor market and enjoy many benefits such as free travel, equal treatment, family reunification, and mobility within the EU. To download a blue card, you need to meet certain requirements such as having a higher education degree, a job offer that meets the minimum salary threshold, and a valid travel document. The application process and documents needed may vary depending on the specific rules and procedures of each EU country. However, the general steps are similar and involve applying for a visa and a residence permit in the EU country where you want to work. If you want to move to another EU country with a blue card scheme, you can do so under certain conditions and procedures that are easier than applying for a new work permit. If you are interested in working in the EU with a blue card, we encourage you to start looking for job opportunities that match your qualifications and apply for a blue card as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a blue card and an EU work permit?

A blue card is an approved EU-wide work permit that allows highly skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in 25 of the 27 countries within the European Union, excluding Denmark and Ireland. An EU work permit is a national work permit that allows non-EU citizens to work and live in one specific EU country. A blue card offers more advantages than an EU work permit such as free travel within the EU (for cards issued in Schengen countries), equal treatment with nationals of the Member State where you have settled, family reunification, and mobility within the EU after 18 months of regular employment.

How long does it take to download a blue card?

The time it takes to download a blue card may vary depending on the EU country where you apply and the processing time of the authorities. However, the general timeframe is as follows:

• The visa application process may take up to three months from the date of submission.

• The residence permit application process may take up to 90 days from the date of submission.

• The blue card issuance process may take up to 30 days from the date of approval.

Therefore, the total time it may take to download a blue card can range from four to six months. However, some EU countries may have faster or slower procedures, so it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities before applying.

How much does it cost to download a blue card?

The cost of downloading a blue card may vary depending on the EU country where you apply and the fees charged by the authorities. However, the general costs are as follows:

• The visa fee is usually 75 or 80 euros, depending on the country.

• The residence permit fee is usually between 100 and 269 euros, depending on the country.

• The blue card fee is usually between 100 and 140 euros, depending on the country.

Therefore, the total cost of downloading a blue card can range from 275 to 489 euros. However, some EU countries may have higher or lower fees, so it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities before applying.

Can I work in any EU country with a blue card?

No, you cannot work in any EU country with a blue card. You can only work in the EU country that issued your blue card or in another EU country that has a blue card scheme and where you have applied for and obtained a new blue card. The EU countries that have a blue card scheme are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Denmark and Ireland do not participate in the blue card scheme.

Can I bring my family members with me if I have a blue card?

Yes, you can bring your family members with you if you have a blue card. You can bring your spouse or registered partner and your minor children (under 18 years old) or those of your spouse or partner. Your family members will be granted a residence permit for family reunification that allows them to work without restrictions in the EU country where you have settled. They will also enjoy equal treatment with nationals of that country in terms of access to education, health care, social security, etc.

How can I get a permanent residence permit in the EU with a blue card?

You can get a permanent residence permit in the EU with a blue card if you meet certain conditions. You must have lived legally and continuously in the EU for five years, of which at least two years must have been spent in the EU country where you apply for permanent residence. You must also have sufficient financial resources and health insurance for yourself and your family members. You must also comply with integration measures if required by the EU country where you apply for permanent residence. A permanent residence permit allows you to stay indefinitely in the EU country where you have settled and enjoy equal rights and obligations as nationals of that country.

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