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Our Romanian lawyers can help you apply for the EU blue card, the mandatory document required by some highly skilled foreign nationals as proof of their right to remain in Romania.
What is the EU blue card?
The EU blue card is the residence and work document issued in Romania to highly qualified workers (the counterpart of the single permit for this category) and proves that the holder has the right to remain and work in the country.
It is intended for highly skilled, non-EU employees who intend to live and work in the European Union, in this case, in Romania.
The blue card is a regime applicable to highly qualified workers, supporting their mobility within the European Union, and it is valid across the EU member states, except for Denmark and Ireland.
Who is required to apply for an EU blue card?
Highly qualified non-EU workers who are interested in taking up employment in an EU Member State are required to apply for a residence permit that suits their purpose of stay – this can be the EU blue card.
Where do you apply for the EU blue card?
The employer first files the single application for a highly qualified worker electronically on WorkinRomania.gov.ro (visa D/AM1) and the long-stay visa for employment is issued by the Romanian consulate. The EU blue card itself is issued after entry into Romania by the territorial office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, in the county where you will be taking up employment in Romania.
The application is submitted in person, at least 30 days before the expiry of the entry visa.
The application is decided within 30 days of submission, a term that may be extended by up to 15 days (or up to 30 days in complex employment cases) when further checks are needed; Directive (EU) 2021/1883 sets a maximum of 90 days.
What are the required documents?
The general application dossier consists of the following:
- Filled-in application;
- Identification document (used to enter Romania – most commonly, the passport);
- Proof of accommodation;
- Medical certificate;
- Proof of fee payment.
The costs associated with blue card applications submitted in Romania include the residence permit fee, plus the consular fees for the visa.
The mandatory qualifications are highlighted below by our team.
What are the eligibility conditions for the EU blue card?
To obtain an EU blue card, a foreign employee must:
- Have an employment offer or a signed employment agreement;
- Have a gross salary of at least the average gross salary in Romania (the national threshold under Directive (EU) 2021/1883, which allows between 1 and 1.6 times the average gross annual salary);
- Provide adequate proof of their professional qualifications, studies, or competencies.
How long is the EU blue card valid for?
The validity period depends on the length of the employment agreement (in Romania, the residence right is granted for the duration of the contract plus 3 months, but no more than 3 years). The following can apply:
- Minimum 24 months when the employment agreement is valid for two or more years;
- The duration of the employment agreement plus 3 months, when the employment contract is concluded for a period of less than two years.
What are the rights of an EU blue card holder?
A blue card holder enjoys short-term and long-term mobility within the European Union.
The following rights apply to foreign highly skilled individuals who reside in Romania under a blue card:
- Multiple entry in Romania and the right to reside in the country for the duration of the blue card;
- Access to highly qualified positions offered by Romanian employers (for which the applicant is qualified, as per the blue card conditions);
- The right to fair treatment, identical to that of Romanian citizens in terms of work, education, social security, and access to services;
- The right to apply for a family reunification permit;
- The right to accumulate the lawful residence period within the said state, to become eligible for a long-term residence permit within the EU.
A blue card holder who resides and works in Romania can travel to other EU Member States for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, for work-related purposes.
After one year in Romania, the blue card holder can relocate to another Member State by submitting another application for the same type of permit to the authorities in the new country.
Contact us for more information about the Romanian single permit or blue card, or if you have questions about other matters related to immigration to Romania.
