EU Blue Card to work in Italy

Italian Immigration options for highly skilled people 

Q: What are the immigration options for a highly skilled person to work in Italy? 

A: Non-EU citizens who are highly qualified (or highly skilled) can apply for the EU Blue Card to work in the EU. Under the definition of the EU regulation, a person is highly qualified if he/she meets all the following requirements:  

1. education beyond high school level (for example, university); 

2. certified by an accredited institution – for example a graduation certificate or diploma confirming completion of the education cycle; 

3. minimum education cycle duration three years; 

4. an advanced degree (e.g., master’s degree, Ph.D.). 

The steps and documents required to apply for the EU Blue Card are as follows:   

• Nulla Osta: this is like a ‘green light’ certificate (or ‘no objection’) issued by the competent territorial immigration office (Prefettura) in Italy which confirms that the applicant meets the necessary requirements and is entitled to move to Italy for work reasons. Here is the list of specific documents necessary to apply for the Italian EU Blue Card Nulla Osta: 

• Job offer: 

1. for an employee position; 

2. to be on payroll with an employer that is tax registered in Italy (Proposta di contratto di soggiorno); 

3. with a salary that must be the higher between (recommended) EUR 28,000 and the Italian national union approved minimum wage applicable to the specific job offer position (“Contratto Collettivo Nazionale di Lavoro – CCNL”; 

4. for a minimum employment duration of 6 months (formerly 12 months); 

• Proof of education and its ‘declaration of value’. The declaration of value is an accreditation certificate that allows the applicant to get a foreign education certificate that will be recognized in Italy. The declaration of value is issued by the Italian Consulate in the country where the educational institution that the applicant attended is located. 

• General Nulla Osta requirements: all other requirements applicable to any Nulla Osta (check them at this link) 

• Visa: once you get the Nulla Osta you can apply for the visa. You must prepare a visa application with all standard visa requirements, along with the requirements specific to the EU Blue Card and the competent Consulate. For example, travel documents, health insurance, etc. The visa is issued by the Italian Consulate based on the Nulla Osta above. The applicant is required to file the visa application with the competent Italian Consulate in the country where he/she lives (i.e., where he/she has his/her primary residence). The visa application must be filed AFTER receiving the Nulla Osta and BEFORE moving to Italy. As a general rule, you must be physically in the country where the Consulate is in order to file the visa application. The visa has the same duration of the employment offer. 

• Employment contract: once you get the visa, you are expected to go to Italy and sign the employment contract (Contratto di Soggiorno). To do this, you must go with the Italian employer (or an authorized representative) to the Immigration office (Prefettura office – (Sportello Unico Immigrazione – SUI”) within 8 business days after your arrival in Italy. 

• Immigration Permit – Permit to Stay: (Permesso di soggiorno – PdS): it is issued by another Immigration office, the Questura, within the same territorial area where the SUI is. The process to apply for the Blue Card Immigration Permit is different from all the other types of Immigration permit applications. 

Below are the main benefits of a EU Blue card:   

• Remain in Italy more than 90 days and up to 2 years (it can be renewed) ; 

• Travel to and remain in another EU member state for up to 90 days without an additional visa; 

• Family members (spouse, children, etc.) are entitled to the family reunification Italian Visa‘  

• Apply for residency registration with an Italian Municipality, obtain an Italian ID and register with the Italian National Healthcare System; 

• After 5 years of residency in Italy, you could be eligible for a Permanent Residency Permit; 

• After 10 years of residency in Italy, you could be eligible for Italian citizenship. 

Self-employment: The Italian Blue Card is not suitable for self-employed individuals who would like to work in Italy. For self-employed individuals there are other visa and immigration opportunities such as, for example, the digital nomad visa. Other options might also be available depending on the case circumstances. 

Each step has its own process with specific documents required. You can discuss your circumstances and determine your personalized process with one of our immigration lawyers during a consultation