Estonia is introducing lenient rules for the EU Blue Card. Such innovations are needed to fill the shortage of labor resources in various industries. Learn more about obtaining an EU Blue Card for third-country nationals in Estonia in 2024

Applicants for the EU Blue Card no longer need to have a relevant educational qualification if they have five years of work experience.

Holders of the EU Blue Card who have worked in Estonia for at least a year may change employers under less stringent conditions. According to statistics, the largest number of applications for the EU Blue Card in Estonia comes from citizens of Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine and Georgia.

New rules for obtaining the EU Blue Card in Estonia

In 2024, Estonia amended the rules for obtaining the EU Blue Card to facilitate employment for third-country nationals and fill the shortage of personnel in various industries. Now, you can apply for the card with 5 years of professional experience in the relevant field, regardless of the availability of higher education. Previously, a university degree was required to obtain this status.

In addition, the duration of the job offer has been shortened. Now foreigners can obtain an EU Blue Card if they conclude an employment contract for at least 6 months, compared to the previous requirement of 1 year. 

The unemployment period for EU Blue Card holders staying in Estonia has also been amended. 

Who can get an EU Blue Card in Estonia?

According to the new decision of the Estonian parliament, foreigners who have held a Blue Card for less than 2 years can remain unemployed in the country for up to 3 months. Those who have held a Blue Card for more than 2 years are allowed to remain unemployed for up to 6 months. 

In addition, improved conditions for family reunification are being introduced for EU Blue Card holders to simplify the process of family relocation to Estonia.

The procedure for changing employers for EU Blue Card holders has also been simplified. Now they have the right to change employers without passing the labor market testing criteria, which was previously mandatory. Blue Card holders still have to notify their current employers of their plans to change their job.

After the first year in an EU member state, the requirement to notify the change of employer is no longer required, which could be required sometimes for up to two years. These changes will simplify the process of changing jobs for EU Blue Card holders in Estonia.

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For safe relocation to any country in the world, obtaining citizenship and employment, take the advice of an international lawyer. We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in any part of the world. 

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Comments of the Estonian Parliament on the new rules for obtaining the EU Blue Card

The new rules introduced by the Estonian Parliament are aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the EU Blue Card, in particular for highly skilled workers. According to the parliamentary representatives, these changes are aimed at harmonizing the conditions of entry and residence and, finally, at increasing the attractiveness of this type of permit.

The updated rules are accompanied by provisions that guarantee the availability of no lesser legal benefits than those who use a national permit. This means that the conditions for EU Blue Card holders will be comparable to those for other residence permits.

In 2021, the European Union issued a directive calling on Member States to update the EU Blue Card regime in order to create an attractive immigration mechanism for the necessary workforce in the EU. These changes are aimed at creating a favorable alternative for the workers that the European market needs.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

For safe relocation to Estonia, obtaining refugee status and employment, use the advice of an international lawyer.

We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in the Estonia.

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