Decision on the new Blue Card Directive

The Riksdag has decided to implement the EU's new Blue Card Directive. The aim of this change is to increase the opportunities to attract and retain highly skilled workers and to facilitate the mobility of these people within the EU.

Swedish (svenska)
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An EU Blue Card is a combined residence and work permit for people from outside the EU who have an employment contract for a highly qualified job in Sweden. The Riksdag has now decided to implement the EU’s new Blue Card Directive in Swedish law, which will enter into force on 1 January 2025.

– Today, this is a relatively small case-law at the Swedish Migration Agency. It is a matter of around 1,300* cases since 2021,” says Susanna Fonsell, Head of Unit Migration Law Unit.

The new legislation means, among other things, that the salary threshold is reduced from 1.5 times to 1.25 times the average gross annual salary in Sweden. Furthermore, it will also be possible to switch to other highly qualified employment without applying for a new EU Blue Card.

– The change aims to attract and retain highly skilled workers by giving more opportunities and at the same time making it easier to apply for an EU Blue Card, which can lead to an increase in the number of cases,” says Susanna Fonsell.

In summary, the new Directive entails:

  • The salary threshold is reduced from 1.5 times to 1.25 times the average gross annual salary in Sweden.
  • The requirement for a period of employment is reduced from 1 year to 6 months.
  • More categories of persons will be granted an EU Blue Card.
  • Possibility of switching to another highly qualified employment without applying for a new EU Blue Card. Instead, a notification of new work or other changes that affect the conditions must be reported to the Swedish Migration Agency.
  • The possibility of switching from other types of residence permits to EU Blue Cards without having to leave the country is extended. 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 slightly simplified procedure.

Decision of the Riksdag: Implementation of the new Blue Card Directive External link, opens in new window.

*Number of cases settled between 2021-2024, application for EU Blue Card and accompanying family members.

What is an EU Blue Card?

An EU Blue Card issued by Sweden gives a person the right to live and work in Sweden. An EU Blue Card can be granted to those who have a highly qualified employment in Sweden and have a salary that meets the salary threshold. An employment is highly qualified if it assumes that the employee has relevant and special competence for it in the form of completed studies corresponding to 180 credits or five years of professional experience in the profession or industry to which the employment relates.