Croatia to Increase EU Blue Card Validity from 2 to 4 Years

Croatia to Increase EU Blue Card Validity from 2 to 4 Years

Key Takeaways

1. Croatia plans to extend the validity of EU Blue Cards from two to four years.
2. The country also aims to broaden eligibility to include IT professionals without formal qualifications.
3. Highly skilled foreign workers must meet specific criteria to obtain the EU Blue Card in Croatia.

Croatian authorities have announced their intention to extend the EU Blue Card's validity from two years to four, with changes to the Aliens Act pending approval. Once passed, the new law will allow highly qualified foreign professionals to remain in the country longer for work purposes.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković noted that this extension would address Croatia's workforce shortages and create more opportunities for foreign workers. Minister of Foreign Affairs Davor Božinović added that the initiative is aimed at attracting highly skilled labor to the country.

IT Professionals Without Qualifications to Be Eligible for EU Blue Cards

Additionally, Croatia is working to expand eligibility for the EU Blue Card to include IT professionals who lack formal educational qualifications. These workers must demonstrate relevant experience in the field, and a special committee will assess their applications. 

From January to September 30 this year, Croatia issued 158,837 residence and work permits to foreign nationals, with the majority going to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nepal, and Serbia. Most recipients are employed in sectors like construction, tourism, industry, and trade.

Requirements for Obtaining Croatia’s EU Blue Card

To qualify for the EU Blue Card in Croatia, applicants must have a valid one-year employment contract for a highly skilled job. They must also meet the salary threshold, which is 1.5 times the national average, amounting to a minimum annual salary of €24,845.64.

Other requirements include proof of educational qualifications for unregulated professions, sufficient financial resources, and a valid travel document. Processing the EU Blue Card takes between 30 and 60 days, and the application fee is €74.32.

Several EU countries issue EU Blue Cards to attract highly skilled foreign workers, and four of them have already simplified their rules this year.

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