From 12 June 2012, Poland has started to accept applications for the EU Blue Card work permits from highly-skilled third country nationals who have employment contracts with a Polish company. This will make it easier for highly skilled people from outside Europe to work in the country.

The EU Blue Card Directive ensures a common set of social and economic rights, such as equal treatment with nationals as regards working conditions and pay, as well as access to goods and services.

The EU Commission said that “if Europe is to secure economic prosperity, remain competitive and maintain its welfare systems, it needs immigrant workers. The current economic and financial crisis makes this need all the more pressing, while highlighting the need for common rules and a comprehensive and balanced EU migration policy.”

But the EU Blue Card is still not implemented in all EU countries and in February the Commission warned Cyprus, Austria and Greece for “still making it too difficult for highly skilled people to come and work in the EU.”

The Blue Card Directive was adopted on 25 May 2009 and Member States had until 19 June 2011 to transpose its provisions into national law. All EU Member States except Denmark, the UK and Ireland are bound by the Directive, which aims to attract highly qualified migrants to Europe. After two years of possessing a Blue Card, migrant workers are then entitled to free access to highly qualified employment positions in that Member State as well as other EU countries.