Sweden’s Riksdag has decided to implement the EU’s new blue card directive via Swedish legislation that enters into force on January 1, 2025.
The new legislation will make the following amendments to the EU blue card rules in Sweden:
- The minimum salary threshold is lowered from 1.5 times to 1.25 times the average gross annual salary in Sweden.
- The minimum length of employment is reduced from one year to six months.
- More categories of people have the opportunity to be granted an EU blue card.
- It will be possible to switch to another highly qualified job without applying for a new EU blue card. Instead, a notification of new work or other changes that affect the conditions must be notified to the Swedish Migration Agency.
- The possibility to change from other types of residence permit to an EU blue card without having to leave the country is expanded. Anyone who has had an EU blue card in another EU state for at least twelve months may, under certain conditions, apply for an EU blue card in Sweden with a somewhat simplified procedure.
Background
An EU blue card is a combined residence and work permit for people from countries outside the EU, who have an employment contract for a highly qualified job. An employment is highly qualified if it requires that the employee has relevant and special competence for it in the form of completed studies corresponding to 180 higher education credits or five years of professional experience in the profession or industry to which the employment relates.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
The change aims to attract and retain highly qualified workers by giving more people the opportunity and at the same time making it easier to apply for an EU blue card.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.