Zoe Christodoulou
In January 2024, the Council of Ministers in Cyprus embraced the future of skilled migration by approving bills to implement Europe’s Blue Card Scheme.
The Blue Card is a work and residency permit designed for highly skilled, non-EU nationals, seeking employment opportunities in Cyprus. Once approved, Blue Card holders are granted free movement rights across the EU, as well as family reunification privileges.
How to obtain a Blue Card:
If you are a non-EU national looking to apply for a Blue Card, here is what you need:
- Employment Contract or Job Offer: You must present a valid employment contract, or a binding job offer, for a highly skilled position with a duration of at least 6 months.
- Salary Requirements: Your salary should meet the national minimum salary but should not exceed 1.6 times the average salary in Cyprus.
- Education or Experience: You need to have completed at least three years of higher education. Alternatively, if you are a professional in the ICT sector, you must have at least three years of relevant professional experience in the last seven years preceding the Blue Card application.
- Health Insurance: You must have valid health insurance in Cyprus.
What are the Benefits for You?
- Work and Residence Permit: As a Blue Card holder, you gain the right to reside and work in the Republic.
- Mobility: You can enjoy the flexibility of working and moving between participating EU countries, subject to certain conditions and regulations. More specifically, Blue Card holders can enter, reside and work in a second Member State for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Furthermore, after 12 months of legal residence in Cyprus, you are entitled to enter, reside and work in a second Member State, provided that you apply for an EU Blue Card in that second Member State within 1 month of entry.
- Family Reunification: You are entitled to bring your immediate family members, including spouses and dependent children, to join you in the Republic.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: The Blue Card can provide a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years of legal and continuous residence in the EU as an EU Blue Card holder and two years of legal and continuous residence in the Republic.
- Equal Treatment: You can benefit from equal treatment with nationals of the Republic in terms of working conditions, salary, and other employment-related rights.
The EU Blue Card offers a significant opportunity for non-EU nationals to advance their careers within Cyprus and the broader European Union. By providing the right to work and live in Cyprus, coupled with the freedom to move across many EU countries, the Blue Card is an excellent pathway for skilled professionals seeking to expand their horizons and embrace new challenges in a dynamic environment.
How we can Help
Our dedicated team has secured a copy of the draft law and monitors all developments in migration laws. Once the bills are voted into law, our expert team will streamline the process of obtaining an EU Blue Card for you. We will provide comprehensive support every step of the way, including assistance with family reunification and guidance on achieving long-term residency.
* This publication has been prepared as a general guide and for information purposes only. It does not purport to be comprehensive or to render professional advice. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect you and/or your business, bespoke advice should be obtained.
