The amending bills that define the procedures for the Blue Card (EU Blue Card) and concern the conditions of entry and residence of third country nationals, with the aim of highly skilled employment, were approved by the Council of Ministers in today's session.
According to the proposal presented by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, the proposed changes aim to adopt a more flexible framework for the entry and residence of highly skilled workers from countries outside the EU. In addition, more flexible rules are introduced to attract highly skilled workers to the EU, including more flexible admission conditions, enhanced rights and facilitation of movement and work within the Union.
In addition, the new procedure concretizes the term "highly qualified" with the possession of a higher education qualification of at least three years. Managers and professionals in the field of information and communication technologies may alternatively have at least three years of relevant professional experience within the seven years preceding the application for a Blue Card.
The amendments are in line with the talent attraction program and are part of the broader effort to promote legal immigration in place of irregular immigration as a measure to manage immigration. At the same time, they harmonize the national legislation with the relevant Directive of the European Parliament.