Key Insights
Croatia has announced plans to extend the validity of EU Blue Cards from the current two years to four years. Additionally, the country aims to broaden eligibility to include IT professionals who lack formal qualifications. To qualify for Croatia’s EU Blue Card, highly skilled foreign workers must meet a range of specific criteria.
Croatian authorities have announced plans to extend the validity of the EU Blue Card from two years to four years.
According to the country’s officials, modifications to the Aliens Act are in the works, and once approved, the EU Blue Card will have an extended validity period. This change is expected to significantly benefit highly qualified foreigners seeking employment in Croatia, allowing them to stay in the country for longer durations.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković commented that extending the EU Blue Card’s validity would help address workforce shortages in Croatia while providing better opportunities for foreign workers. Additionally, Minister of Foreign Affairs Davor Božinović emphasized that the primary goal of this initiative is to attract a highly skilled workforce.
EU Blue Card Eligibility Will Be Expanded to Include
IT Professionals Without Qualifications
According to tportal, Croatia is not only aiming to extend the validity period of the EU Blue Card but also plans to broaden its eligibility criteria.
Under the proposed changes, foreigners without formal educational qualifications but with relevant skills in the IT sector will be able to apply for the EU Blue Card. However, these applicants must demonstrate work experience in their field. Their applications will be evaluated by a designated committee responsible for this process.
What Are the Requirements for Obtaining
Croatia’s EU Blue Card?
To qualify for Croatia’s EU Blue Card, third-country nationals must possess a valid one-year employment contract for a highly qualified position. Additionally, applicants are required to meet Croatia’s minimum salary threshold, which is set at 1.5 times the average annual salary. This means foreigners must earn at least €24,845.64 annually to be eligible for the EU Blue Card.
Applicants must also provide documentation demonstrating compliance with national legal requirements for regulated professions, as well as proof of educational qualifications for unregulated professions. Other requirements include evidence of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and a copy of their travel document.
The processing time for the Croatian EU Blue Card typically ranges from 30 to 60 days, and the initial application fee is €74.32.
Several EU countries issue EU Blue Cards for highly skilled foreign workers, with four of them having simplified certain rules earlier this year.
