EU Blue Card

as highly qualified employment professions, are defined those belonging to the following sectors: (a) Information and communication technologies (ICT), (b) Pharmacy for research purposes (c) Maritime (excluding captains and ship’s crew).

A valid employment contract, duly signed and stamped or binding job offer from the specific employer for the employment of the third-country national in a highly qualified position for at least six (6) months in the Republic

in which the gross annual salary is in accordance with the relevant Decree of the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance in force.

Certificate from the Social Insurance Services that the employer pays his social security contributions

Certificate from the Tax Department that the employer fulfills its legal obligations regarding taxation (corporate tax and VAT).

stating that the employer's business is not in liquidation

documenting that the employer has not been sanctioned for employing illegally staying third-country nationals

Employer's liability insurance with an automatic renewal.

Compliance with the terms of the employment contract

By submitting to the Department the “Notification of the commencement of the unemployment period of an EU Blue Card holder” either by the employee or the employer, accompanied by the relevant employment termination letter.

In case of change of employer within the first 12 months of holding the Blue Card:suspension of the right of commencing new employment for 30 days from the date of the submission of the application.

According to the Decree of the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance, the minimum gross annual salary for highly qualified employment is set at EUR 43.632.

There is no maximum admission quotas for EU Blue Cards, provided that the employment is included in the sectors defined in the relevant Decree of the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance.

Holders of an EU Blue Card issued by the Republic of Cyprus enjoy the following rights: * Entry, re-entry, and residence in the Republic of Cyprus. * Access to highly qualified employment. * Equal treatment with Cypriot citizens in terms of working conditions, education and training, social security etc. * Family reunification with permits equal in duration to those of the EU Blue Card holder.

In case of change of employer within the first 12 months of holding the Blue Card:suspension of the right of commencing new employment for 30 days from the date of the submission of the application.

No, according to the relevant legislation, a valid EU Blue Card allows entry and re-entry into the Republic, regardless of the period of absence.

a) Short term mobility: possibility of entering and staying in other EU Member States for a period of 90 days within any 180-day period for the purpose of carrying out a professional activity, without further formalities.

b) Long term mobility: possibility of entry and residence in a second Member State for the purpose of highly qualified employment for the Blue Card holder and his family members after 12 months of legal residence in the first Member State upon submission of an application.

Submission of application for the renewal of the EU Blue Card within 3 months prior to the expiration of the current EU Blue Card

Accumulation of periods of residence in different member states for the purpose of eligibility of acquiring EU long-term resident status.

In accordance with the provisions of article 111B(2) of the Civil Registry Law, EU Blue Card holders who are employed by an employer that falls within the Strategy for attracting companies to establish and/or expand their activities in Cyprus will benefit from the amendments concerning highly qualified employed persons for the acquisition of Cypriot citizenship by naturalization.