As of Monday, 7 July 2025, Cyprus officially began accepting applications for the EU Blue Card, a new residence and work permit designed to attract highly skilled non‑EU professionals to the island. This initiative, now codified in Cypriot immigration law, marks a strategic effort to bolster key sectors like ICT, pharmaceutical research, and shipping with top global talent.
Cyprus Blue Card: Background and Legal Foundations
Cyprus aligned with Directive (EU) 2021/1883 when it passed the Aliens and Immigration (Amendment) Law in August 2024, officially adopting the updated Blue Card provisions into its national legislation. Following procedural preparations, the Migration Department made the scheme operational starting in early July 2025.
Who Can Apply for Blue Card in Cyprus?
The Blue Card is available to third‑country nationals offered a job or holding a binding job contract of at least six months in one of Cyprus’s designated sectors:
- Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)
- Pharmaceuticals, but only for research positions
- Maritime shipping, excluding ship captains and crew members
Candidates must meet one of two qualification routes:
- A university degree of at least three years, or
- At least three years of professional experience in ICT within the past seven years
Blue Card: Salary and Contract Requirements
The job must offer a gross annual salary of at least €43,632, which aligns with roughly 1.5 times Cyprus’s national average wage – consistent with EU Blue Card regulations. Additionally, applicants must hold appropriate health insurance, a valid travel document, and register an address in Cyprus.
Blue Card: Rights and Benefits
Upon approval, Blue Card holders gain:
- Residence and work rights in Cyprus for up to three years, renewable upon continued eligibility.
- Intra‑EU mobility: up to 90 days within any 180‑day period in other EU Member States (excluding Denmark and Ireland), and eligibility for long‑term mobility after 12 months’ legal residence in Cyprus.
- Family reunification: spouses and dependent children can join the Blue Card holder under residence permits of the same length, and family members can access Cyprus’s labor market without restriction.
- Equal treatment to Cypriot nationals regarding working conditions, education, social security, and training access.
- Smooth long‑term residence path: allowed to accumulate residence periods across member states to qualify for EU long‑term resident status.
Why It Matters for Employers and Professionals
For Cypriot businesses and recruiters, the Blue Card offers a streamlined way to attract international talent in technology, pharmaceuticals and shipping research – with fewer bureaucratic hurdles than previous systems. For professionals and their families, this scheme provides stability, mobility across the EU, and a clear path toward long‑term residence and eventual citizenship.
At IBCCS TAX, we specialise in assisting employers and highly qualified professionals navigate the EU Blue Card process – from eligibility assessment to application submission and family reunification guidance. Our legal and immigration experts ensure that your case is handled efficiently and in full compliance with the latest regulations.
If you are considering hiring or relocating under the EU Blue Card scheme in Cyprus, contact us today to discover how we can support your journey toward a successful outcome in this exciting new framework.
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