To obtain the EU Blue Card of Estonia, no academic degree requirement, a work contract of only six months, and extended unemployment periods are a part of the new eased rules announced. Furthermore, for employer changing processes, labor market tests will required for the limited initial stay only. Mobility in the EU region and family reunions will be streamlined.
The updated EU Blue Card directive will help Estonia secure highly qualified workers from non-EU countries. The northern European country is already famous for its Digital Redency and Digital Nomad Visa, and relaxation in the EU Blue Card rules will help it gain more popularity as an immigrants-friendly country.
New Easy Rules for the EU Blue Card of Estonia
The non-EU qualified workers will be able to enjoy the following relaxed rules:
No academic degree required
As per amended rules, non-EU citizens with highly rated work experience of 5 years relevant to the chosen job can also apply for the EU Blue Card of Estonia without having to show a degree qualification. This means that the concept of higher professional qualification and the educational requirements that must be met by the EU blue card holder’s education. Higher-level professional skills are also regulated, which are considered equivalent to the knowledge, skills, and competence confirming a higher education qualification when applying for a blue card.
By allowing this exception, Estonia has joined other EU countries such as Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Malta, Sweden, Portugal, and Slovakia that also accept work experience as an alternative to an academic degree.
Mobility and family reunification
The rules also specify the mobility conditions for EU Blue Card holders and make family reunification more favorable.
Short-period work contract accepted
According to the amended rules, to apply for a blue card, an employment contract must be concluded for at least six months instead of the previously implemented 1-year duration.
Unemployment status extended
The new rules also allow the EU Blue Card holders in the future that they can be unemployed for a total of up to three months if they had it for less than two years, or a total of up to six months if he has had the blue card for at least two years. These rules are not solely for Estonia instead according to the newly announced “Single Work Permit Rules by the EU” through the amendment into the 2011 directive for all member states.
Change of employer with ease
The EU state has the right to check the labor market situation only in the case if the holder of the EU blue card has worked there for less than a year and changes employer. On the other hand with eased rules facility, after a year has passed, the member state can only require notification of a change of employer, and the labor market situation cannot be checked. The previously implied labor market test time was up to 2 years. A labor market test means whether the corresponding job can be done by another worker who is a citizen of the EU member states.
Explanation: This simply means the change of employer will also be possible without having to undergo the labor market test. A notice to the current employer will be required only. On the other hand, the new employer can notify the authorities that they are hiring you now. These rules are also not solely for Estonia instead according to the newly announced “Single Work Permit Rules by the EU” for all member states.
Companies status
The rules also specify the definition of a growth company. If currently the growth company is only a company registered in Estonia meeting the conditions stipulated by law, then according to the amendment, the growth company may in the future also be a branch of a foreign company registered in Estonia.
What is an EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is a special permit for highly skilled non-EU individuals to reside and work in an EU nation, provided they possess advanced professional credentials and have secured employment with a substantial salary. This card is valid in 25 EU countries, with Denmark and Ireland being exceptions. More information can be accessed here.
Files from fromiigikogu.ee, visa-guru.com, Umer Rasib, and schengenvisa.news