Blue Card aims to attract highly skilled migrants – but results are slow

In the early 2000s, discussions began within the EU on how Member States could best attract highly qualified workers from the rest of the world. What became known as the EU Blue Card was launched in 2009.

“The name is a nod to the American ‘Green Card’, except the Blue Card does not give the holder permanent residence,” says Micheline van Riemsdijk, Professor of Human Geography at Uppsala University and author of the report Det reviderade EU-blåkortsdirektivet: En studie om Sveriges migrationspolitiska system för högkvalificerade tredjelandsmedborgare [The Revised EU Blue Card Directive: A Study of Sweden’s Migration Policy Regime for Highly Qualified Third Country Nationals].

“The aim was to generate better competition for highly skilled labour. In practice, however, few people have actually applied. Many are simply unaware that the Blue Card exists.”

Germany stands out

In Sweden, only 418 EU Blue Cards have been issued over a ten-year period. In comparison, 8,317 national residence permits were issued to highly qualified migrants in 2022 alone. The EU Blue Card has not had the desired impact in the rest of the EU either.

“The exception is Germany, which accounts for 72 per cent of all Blue Cards issued in 2024,” says Micheline van Riemsdijk.

This can be explained to some extent by the fact that Germany has had lower salary requirements for the Blue Card than most other EU countries, but also by the fact that Germany has done more awareness-raising about the Blue Card and its benefits. Unlike the Swedish national residence permit, the Blue Card is not tied to a single employer for two years but remains valid even if the holder changes jobs. The rules allow for three months of unemployment during the first two years and six months of unemployment thereafter. It is also possible to change position at the same employer without losing the EU Blue Card.

“The Blue Card is more flexible for both employers and migrants,” says Micheline van Riemsdijk, who believes that EU countries, apart from Germany, have simply failed to market the Blue Card effectively.

“It has been unclear where responsibility lies, and the rules have been perceived as complicated.”

Revised Blue Card offers more benefits

In January 2025, a revised version of the EU Blue Card was launched in Sweden, with the aim of making it more attractive. The salary threshold was lowered from 1.5 times to 1.25 times the average gross annual salary, and the minimum employment period requirement was reduced from one year to six months. It has also become possible to switch to another highly qualified position without applying for a new EU Blue Card. In addition, there are now better opportunities to switch from other types of residence permits to an EU Blue Card without leaving the country.

“One remaining drawback is that if a migrant has children, the children are required to support themselves once they turn 18. With a national residence permit, the age limit is 21,” says Micheline van Riemsdijk.

Since the rules were revised, applications for Blue Cards have increased slightly in Sweden. Most applicants were already working in the country and had previously held a national residence permit.

“Interest has also grown across the EU as a whole.”

However, Micheline van Riemsdijk emphasises that the Blue Card is only a small part of the process of attracting and retaining highly qualified workers. A holistic approach is needed in this context.

“Factors such as job opportunities and lifestyle are key. People will not stay in the country unless the whole family is happy,” she says.

Sigrid Asker