Sweden Implements New EU Blue Card Directive to Attract Highly Skilled Workers

The Riksdag, Sweden's parliament and supreme decision-making body, has decided to adopt the EU's new Blue Card Directive into Swedish law. This adjustment will come into effect on January 1, 2025, allowing highly qualified foreign workers to obtain Sweden's EU Blue Card under more simplified rules and favorable conditions.

Susanna Fonsell, Head of the Migration Law Unit, announced the new regulations, stating that Sweden aims to "attract and retain more foreign talent," while also providing "more opportunities." The primary goal of these changes is to encourage the influx and retention of highly skilled workers by simplifying the application process for the EU Blue Card, potentially increasing the number of applications.

One significant change is the reduction of the salary threshold for eligibility for Sweden's EU Blue Card, which will drop from the current requirement of 1.5 times the average gross annual salary to 1.25 times beginning in 2025. Furthermore, a broader group of highly qualified workers from non-EU countries will be eligible for the EU Blue Card, allowing them to switch to another highly qualified job without needing to apply for a new EU Blue Card, as they will only need to notify the Migration Agency of their new employment.

Additionally, Sweden has halved the required length of the employment contract to obtain an EU Blue Card, reducing it from one year to six months. There is also a new provision that permits individuals with other types of residence permits to transition to an EU Blue Card without leaving the country.

Starting next month, highly qualified workers who have held an EU Blue Card from another member state for at least 12 months will be able to apply for an EU Blue Card in Sweden through a streamlined process.

Moreover, the Swedish authorities revealed in November that applications for the EU Blue Card from foreign nationals are now processed in a shorter timeframe, with the processing period reduced from 90 days to just 30 days. By implementing these changes, the Swedish government aims to enhance the country's appeal to highly qualified foreign workers and retain talent within its borders.

By fLEXI tEAM