The EU has new rules for the entry of skilled workers from abroad

The European Commission welcomed the agreement reached by negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on new rules for the entry and residence of highly skilled workers from outside the EU. These are the rules of the revised Blue Card Directive. The new system will introduce effective rules to attract highly qualified workers to the Union - including more flexible admission conditions, enhanced rights and opportunities for easier movement and work between EU Member States. The agreement on the revised Blue Card is a key objective of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum presented by the European Commission last year. The new scheme includes more flexible requirements for EU Blue Card applicants - the minimum wage will be reduced to 1- to 1.6 times the average gross annual salary, making it more accessible to more people. The minimum duration of the employment contract shall be reduced to six months. The new rules also support family reunification, as the EU, in an effort to attract and retain highly qualified workers from outside the Union, will also allow their family members to become blue card holders to enter the EU labor market. The revoked rules also facilitate the mobility of non-EU professionals and highly qualified workers within the EU. In practice, this means that Blue Card holders and their family members will be able to move to another Member State after 12 months of employment in the first Member State on the basis of simplified mobility rules. Time spent working in different Member States will also be taken into account, which will facilitate easier access to the status of long-term residents in the EU.