The Migration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection launched officially the EU Blue Card application process on Monday, July 7th, 2025.
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that allows highly qualified employees from countries outside the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work in the Republic of Cyprus and other EU member states, with the exception of the Kingdom of Denmark and Ireland.
It is intended for highly qualified non-EU nationals who are either currently residing in the Republic of Cyprus or plan to relocate.
ELIGIBILITY
The EU Blue Card will be issued for highly qualified employment in the following sectors:
(a) Information and Communication Technologies (ICT);
(b) Pharmacy (for research purposes);
(c) Maritime (excluding captains and crew).
Applicants must hold a higher education degree of at least three (3) years duration of study. Alternatively, ICT professionals may qualify with at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience within the past seven (7) years preceding the application for an EU Blue Card.
SALARY THRESHOLD
According to the Decree of the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance, the minimum gross annual salary for highly qualified employment is set at EUR 43.632.
EXAMINATION TIME
Applications shall be examined within 90 days.
Applications for an EU Blue Card for the purpose of long-term mobility shall be examined within 30 days.
DURATION
The duration of the permit depends on the duration of the employment contract and can be up to three (3) consecutive years, and it is renewable.
MOBILITY
The EU Blue Card allows its holder to freely move within the EU for the purpose of highly qualified employment. Mobility can be:
a) Short term mobility: possibility of entering and staying in other EU Member States for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period for the purpose of carrying out a professional activity, without further formalities.
b) Long term mobility: possibility of entry and residence in a second Member State for the purpose of highly qualified employment for the EU Blue Card holder and his family members after 12 months of legal residence in the first Member State upon submission of an application.
FAMILY MEMBERS
The current provisions of the legislation on family reunification apply to EU Blue Card holders in the Republic of Cyprus or an EU Blue Card holder in the context of long-term mobility, with the following facilitations:
- Simultaneous submission of an application for an EU Blue Card and family reunification.
- The duration of validity of the residence permits of family members shall be the same as that of the EU Blue Card provided that the period of validity of their travel documents allows it.
- Family members have free access to the labour market, including self-employment.
OTHER BENEFITS
- Entry, re-entry, and residence in the Republic of Cyprus.
- Equal treatment with citizens of the Republic of Cyprus in terms of employment conditions, education and training, social security and access to goods and services
- Accumulation of periods of residence in different Member States for the purpose of eligibility of acquiring a long-term residence permit in the EU.
Immigration experts of M. KORELIS & CO LLC are committed to assist and guide you throughout the application process for the EU Blue Card.