The proposal for a new European Blue Card has been adopted: Directive (EU) 2021/1883 ‘on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC’.

Directive 2021/1883 must be implemented in the national legislation of the EU Member States by November 18, 2023 at the latest. It is expected that the Netherlands will not adapt Dutch Foreigners Act and its legislation to the new directive until the end of this implementation date of 18 November 2023. Until then, the current European Blue Card Directive (2009/50/EC) will continue to apply.

The new European Blue Card directive is according to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU ‘needed to enable the Union to more effectively attract talent and thereby to address both the demographic challenges faced by the Union and labour and skills shortages in key sectors of the Union economy.’

According to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, the new European Blue Card Directive must ensure that: ‘clear and transparent Union-wide admission system to attract and retain highly qualified workers from third countries and to promote the mobility of those workers should be established.’