Last Monday the European Union has finally introduced the 'Blue Card´, a work permit for high educated personnel from outside the EU. One of the reasons for the establishments of such regulation is the relatively limited number of high educated non-European workers in the European Union: 1.7 percent. That percentage is higher in almost all other continents, especially Australia (9.9%). In the US the percentage is 3.2.
The persons who seek application of the regulation will have to submit an employment agreement which entitles to a salary of at least 1.5 times the average salary. People with a Blue Card also have the right to move to and work in any other EU member state after 1.5 year after arrival. Further, the card also entitles to special and improved right for the cardholder to have family members come over and settle in the EU.
The new regulation is a ´Directive´, a legislative act of the European Union which requires member states to achieve a particular result without dictating the means of achieving that result. Directives normally leave member states with a certain amount of leeway as to the exact rules to be adopted.
A two year term is given to the member states to carry this out. From experience we have learned that such a term is far too short for Spain, and therefore people should not expect to be able to apply for the Blue Card in Spain within two years from now. |
