The Finnish government updated EU Blue Card regulations, including new salary requirements.

Key Points:

• The European Union issued a directive in 2021 that updated the existing EU Blue Card process, and Finland’s new regulations are intended to comply with that directive.
• The new rules update key provisions, including:
• The minimum salary for an EU Blue Card is now 3,638 euros (about US$3,958) gross per month. Previously, the minimum salary requirement was 1.5 times greater, and it has now been aligned with the minimum salary required to obtain a specialist permit.
• Wider eligibility: Foreign nationals with five years of professional experience in a relevant field may now qualify for an EU Blue Card; previously, all applicants required relevant academic experience.
• Employment contracts may now last six months, where previously there was a 12-month minimum duration requirement.

Additional Information: Eligible highly skilled workers must also have confirmed employment for at least six months before applying for the permit. An EU Blue Card can be issued for a maximum of two years, and applicants in Finland can apply via a fast-track service and receive a permit in two weeks. Applicants can apply for a D visa concurrently with a residence permit, which allows an individual to travel to Finland immediately once the residence permit and D visa sticker have been attached to their passport. More information about obtaining an EU residence permit for highly qualified employment can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The government is implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883 to restructure and widen the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card. The new immigration initiatives are designed to make it easier for skilled workers to live and work in Finland and will take immediate effect.