EU BLUE CARD

As of 7 July 2025, the Ministry of Migration of the Republic of Cyprus has started accepting applications for the EU Blue Card for highly qualified specialists from third countries. The EU Blue Card is a unified residence permit designed to attract highly skilled professionals from outside the EU. It entitles its holder to live and work in EU countries (except Denmark and Ireland).

MAIN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

1. 1.Gross salary not less than €3,636 per month (or €43,632 per year),
2. 2.Employment in one of the following three sectors:

• IT (Information and communication technologies),
• Pharmaceuticals, or
• Shipping (excluding captains and crew members).

KEY BENEFITS OF THE EU BLUE CARD:

1. 1.Right of entry, residence, and employment in Cyprus in the specified sectors,
2. 2.Equal social rights with Cypriot citizens (including access to GeSY),
3. 3.Family reunification (family members are granted permits for the same period as the main card). The minimum salary for each applicant is €43,632 per year, and this amount increases when including family members as follows:

• For family: spouse/partner +20%,
• Child +15%

For example: Card holder + spouse + 1 child → €58,903 per year

1. 4.Accumulation of residence periods in different EU countries towards obtaining EU long-term resident status.
2. 5.The Blue Card allows its holder to move within the EU for the purpose of highly qualified employment. Mobility can be:

• Short-term mobility: the possibility of entering and staying in other EU Member States for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for professional purposes, without additional formalities.
• Long-term mobility: the possibility for the Blue Card holder and their family members to enter and reside in a second Member State for highly qualified work after 12 months of legal residence in the first Member State, by submitting an application.