10 Advantages of the EU Blue Card for Indian Citizens 

The EU Blue Card is the key to employment in the European Union. Highly qualified workers can apply for this card to live and work in the EU for up to 4 years. There are many advantages of the EU Blue Card, starting from basic work rights to the time given to search for jobs during unemployment. Did you know that Indian nationals are issued the highest number of EU Blue cards? If you are a qualified Indian national who can get a job offer/work contract for at least 6 months in the EU, you must consider applying for this. In this blog, we have covered the advantages of the EU Blue Card for Indian nationals. Read this to understand why you should also apply for this.

10 Advantages of the EU Blue Card 

According to the Euro News, Indian nationals are the highest beneficiaries of the EU Blue Cards! In 2023, Indians received about 21,228 or 24% of the Blue Cards issued. Many qualified Indians aim to apply for the Blue Card for several reasons. Some of these reasons are provided below:

Zero Extra Fees for Employers

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order. According to this, companies have to pay a one-time, non-refundable fee of at least USD 100,000 to the government for each new H1-B visa holder! This puts a lot of pressure on the companies to hire professionals. In contrast, in the EU, employers only have to ensure that the employee is paid the minimum required salary and pay a minor administrative fee. Thus, getting hired is comparatively easier.

Access to Equal Work Rights

One of the main advantages of the EU Blue Card is getting access to equal work rights. As a Blue Card holder, you have access to the same treatment as a citizen of the host country regarding the working conditions, recognition of your educational qualifications, professional and educational training, and even social security benefits. You are granted freedom of association and can even access goods and services given to the public, like transportation.

6-Month Grace Period for Job Search

Another one of the important advantages of the EU Blue Card is that you are given a time period to look for jobs. Basically, if your employment is terminated, you are given 6 months. During this time, you can look for a job in the EU. You do not have to immediately leave. This is only true if you have held the Blue Card for 2 years. Otherwise, the job search period is 3 months. The grace period is provided to you irrespective of who terminated the employment!

Blue Card is Not Withdrawn in Case of Sick Leave

Let’s say you become sick or disabled. In this case, you can learn less than the minimum salary threshold for up to 12 months. For example, in the Netherlands, during sick leave, an employee is only required to earn 70% or 80% of the agreed gross salary. A lower salary is not a reason for rejecting a Blue Card extension.

You Can Change Your Job/ Employer After 12 Months 

 When you first arrive in an EU member state, you have to live and work in the region and under the same employer. This is mandatory. However, after 12 months, you are free to change your employer. However, you must notify the concerned authority regarding the same.

Travel to Other EU Member States Visa-Free

Did you know one of the key advantages of EU Blue Card holders is that they can travel to other Schengen states without a visa! Usually, you need a Schengen visa for travel. However, Blue Card holders can stay in other EU member states for up to 90 days without a visa. This is one of the advantages of the EU Blue Card.

Work in Another Member State without a Work Permit

After completing 12 months of work in the member state (from where you obtained your card) you can travel to any other member state and choose to live or work there with your family! A separate work permit is not required. The card obtained is recognised in all the member states. However, you must ensure that your work lasts for at least 90 days. 

Also Read: Understand the EU Blue Card Requirements For Highly Qualified Workers 

Choose to Bring Your Family with You

You can bring your family member with you. You can reunite with your family and apply for access to work for your spouses. If all the conditions are met, you can apply with your spouse simultaneously. Moreover, their residence permit can be issued at the same time as their Blue Card. Family reunification is one of the advantages of the EU blue card that will continue even after you obtain PR.

Apply for a Long-Term Residence Permit or PR

A Blue Card is given for 2 to 4 years. Most countries, like Germany, issue the Blue Cards for up to 4 years. This gives you time to meet the duration for an EU long-term residence permit. Even if you stay in another EU country, that duration is also counted. Hence, if you meet the duration criteria and all other requirements, you can get an EU long-term residence permit.

Can an EU Blue Card Lead to Citizenship?

An EU Blue Card does not directly grant you citizenship. However, it can become the pathway for it. To get a citizenship in a country, you have to work in the host country for at least 33 months to 21 months, achieve a certain language level, and meet other EU long-term residence permit requirements, and apply for it.

Once you have obtained the EU Blue Card, you can stay in the member state for 5-6 years (as required by the country) and then apply for citizenship. Applying for citizenship means meeting additional requirements, such as integration requirements like language, knowledge of culture, etc. The good news is that some states provide an option for dual citizenship. You do not have to give up your original citizenship to obtain a new one.

Also Read: PR in Finland for International Students

Is the EU Blue Card Worth it?

Yes, A Blue Card is worth it for employment purposes. Working in any EU member state, like Germany, France, Lithuania, or Austria, means you can access the work benefits. For example, you will have the right, just like any other citizen of the country, to the right working conditions. The salary you receive will at least be the minimum required salary for the position. All this ensures fairness in the workplace.

In addition to this, you can travel to any other Schengen state without a visa for up to 90 days, and you can even choose to work in another Schengen state after 12 months. Moreover, you can become a long-term resident if you wish. All these advantages of the EU blue card make it worthwhile to get one. Hence, highly qualified workers must consider applying for it.

FAQs

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