EU Blue Card: Simple Overview of the Requirements
The EU Blue Card is designed to make it easier for highly skilled professionals from outside the EU to live and work in Europe. To qualify, applicants need to meet a number of criteria regarding diplomas and work experience. Below a breakdown in clear, easy‑to‑understand language.
We also explain the main differences between the EU Blue Card visa program and the Highly Skilled Migrant visa.
The Highly Skilled visa is the most used permit for highly skilled employees, but the EU Blue Card has been improved in the past years and does have various extra advantages.
Who can apply?
A Blue Card is meant for third‑country nationals or, in other words, anyone who is not a citizen of an EU Member State or from the European Economic Area. To find out which countries belong to the EU or EEA please see this link to the IND website: Member States EU/EEA | IND
Who can be the sponsor?
The employment contract must be concluded with a company established in the Netherlands. It is not necessary to be a recognized sponsor (opposed to Highly Skilled Migrants). However, in such case, the employer should show that there is substance in the Netherlands (economic activity, office space, at least 1 FTE and a statement of payment behavior from the Dutch Tax Authorities.
If the employer is a recognized sponsor, the application is streamlined and the decision time is shorter.
Education and Qualifications
Higher Education Diplomas
You can qualify if you have a diploma from a higher‑education program that lasted at least three years.
If your diploma was not obtained in the Netherlands, it must be evaluated by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation that checks how foreign diplomas compare to Dutch ones. Sometimes, foreign bachelor’s or master’s degrees are rated at a lower level than their Dutch equivalents, which can affect eligibility for the EU Blue Card.
Qualifications Through Work Experience
You can also qualify without a diploma if you have enough relevant professional experience.
· You need at least five years of experience in similar, complex roles.
· Your work history should show that you have the skills and expertise normally expected from someone with a relevant diploma.
· The IND will decide whether your experience meets the required level.
This route is possible, but a bit riskier than applying with a recognized diploma.
Special Pathway for IT Professionals
Because Europe has a high demand for IT specialists, there is an additional option for people working in ICT:
You may qualify even without a diploma if:
· Your role falls under occupation code 25 or 133 (according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations), and
· You have at least three years of IT experience in the last seven years.
This pathway aligns with the general rule that normally requires three years of higher education.
Salary Requirements and duration employment contract
To show that the job is at a highly skilled level, there is a minimum salary you must earn.
The employment contract should be for a minimum period of 6 months.
Standard Salary Threshold (from 1 January 2026)
· At least €5,942 gross per month
· Holiday allowance is not allowed to be included in this amount.
Reduced Salary Threshold
In some situations, a lower salary requirement applies:
· At least €4,754 gross per month (from 1 January 2026)
· Holiday allowance is not allowed to be included in this amount.
This lower threshold applies if:
· You completed a higher‑education program (minimum three years), and
· Your sponsor submits the Blue Card application within three years after your graduation or PhD completion.
The reduced salary also applies when:
· Changing employees within three years after graduation/PhD
· Extending your residence permit within three years after graduation/PhD
· Extending your permit within 24 months after receiving your first residence permit
Short-term mobility
Do you want to come to the Netherlands for work activities, such as visiting a conference or a short project? And will you not stay in the Netherlands for a total of more than 90 days within a 180-day period? Then you do not need to apply for a work and residence permit.
Summary: difference between European Blue Card and highly skilled migrant residence permit
· With a European Blue Card, it is easier to apply for a residence permit in a different EU-country.
· With a European Blue Card, you can in some cases apply for long-term EU residency sooner than living 5 years in the Netherlands. · The reduced salary criterion is higher for the European Blue Card in comparison to the criterion for highly skilled migrants.
· Your employer does not need to be a recognised sponsor in order to apply for a European Blue Card. For a highly skilled migrant application, this is mandatory
· European Blue Card holders are given a search period of up to 6 months if they have become unemployed or have terminated their employment themselves. However, it is required that the European blue card holder has been in possession of this residence permit for at least 2 years. Otherwise, this search period is 3 months.
Much lower tuition fees for children going to university
Children of European Blue Card holders who go to study at a university in the Netherlands pay the same tuition fees as children of Dutch and EU citizens. This tuition fee is much lower than the rate charged for children of highly skilled migrants or foreign non-EU students. Namely € 2,601 for the academic year 2025-2026. For children of highly skilled migrants and non-EU students this is between € 10,000 and € 20,000 depending on the university.
Absence from Schengen area for 24 months
Former EU Blue Card holders with EU long-term resident permits may be absent from Schengen territory for 24 months, instead of the 12 months for ‘ordinary’ EU long-term resident permit holders. Do you need more information or assistance with the application, contact us: info@witscaft.com