The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for highly skilled non-EU/EEA nationals which allows one to work and live in 25 countries within the European Union. The European Blue Card provides rights and a path towards permanent residence in the EU.
In this article you can find the necessary information on the Blue Card and the eligibility criteria. Malta offers the Blue Card through Identità, together with other alternative employment permits for highly qualified workers such as the Key Employee Initiative (KEI) and the Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI). However, it is important to note that this type of permit is issued in accordance with the provisions of the relative EU directive and is distinct from a residence permit issued for highly qualified purposes under Maltese policies such as the KEI and SEI programmes.
An EU Blue Card gives highly qualified workers from outside the EU the right to live and work in an EU country, provided they have higher professional qualifications, such as a university degree, and an employment contract or a binding job offer for at least one year with a high salary compared to the average salary in Malta (1.5 x the average gross annual salary).
A third country national must be in possession of professional qualifications and have a work contract that covers at least a period of one year, together with travel documents and health insurance. The EU Blue Card does not apply to self-employed individuals.
Following the first renewal, one can apply for a residence permit for a validity period of two years if the Blue Card holder is in possession of a work contract for a period exceeding two years. During the first two years as a Blue Card holder, if there is a change in employment, one would be required to submit a new application, however after having been employed as a Blue Card holder for more than two years, if one changes employment, all that is required is to present the new work contract to Identità. If a Blue Card holder loses employment, one has three months to find a new job. Following these three months, the EU Blue Card will be withdrawn completely.
One of the advantages of the EU Blue Card is that it allows holders to move and work within other EU member states under certain conditions. EU Blue Card holders are generally allowed to bring their family members with them to the host country. And after a certain period of legal and continuous residence, EU Blue Card holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in the host country.
For assistance on EU Blue Card applications in Malta, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on [email protected].
Cet article est à titre informatif seulement et ne doit pas être interprété comme un avis juridique.
Article rédigé par Mme Charlene Sciberras, B.A. (Hons), rédactrice invitée, est une spécialiste du marketing et de la gestion d'entreprise avec un accent particulier sur les questions d'entreprise, comptables et juridiques.
Sciberras Advocates, fondé par Dr Adrian Sciberras, est un cabinet d'avocats basé à Malte. Le cabinet s'enorgueillit d'être multidisciplinaire, innovant et flexible afin de répondre aux évolutions et aux défis du paysage juridique local et international. Quelle que soit la complexité des demandes privées ou d'entreprise, Sciberras Advocates propose des solutions juridiques pratiques et rentables pour atteindre les résultats souhaités. Vous pouvez contacter Sciberras Advocates par téléphone au +35627795222ou par courriel sur [email protected].
