In a significant nod to Europe’s growing demand for global talent, EU countries issued around 89,000 Blue Cards in 2023 to highly qualified non-EU nationals, with Germany alone accounting for a staggering 78% of them.

India led the ranks among recipient countries, as its citizens received nearly a quarter of all Blue Cards granted across the European Union.

Germany drives EU’s skilled migration push

According to Eurostat, Germany granted 69,000 Blue Cards last year, accounting for 78% of all issued across the EU. Poland followed distantly with 7,000, while France issued 4,000.

Together, these three countries distributed 90% of all Blue Cards.

The EU Blue Card program offers work and residence rights to highly skilled non-EU nationals, helping employers fill critical gaps in industries such as information technology, engineering, and healthcare.

The cards not only facilitate access to jobs but also pave the way for long-term residency, family reunification, and intra-EU mobility.

India tops list of global talent sources

India continued its steady rise as the EU’s primary source of skilled labor, with 21,000 Indian nationals receiving Blue Cards — nearly a quarter of all issued. 

Russian citizens came in second with 9,000 cards, followed by Turkish (6,000) and Belarusian (5,000) workers. These four countries alone accounted for nearly half of all beneficiaries.

Indians also led other categories of legal migration. For example, they received 3,900 intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permits in 2023, making up 36% of the EU total.

ICT permits allow employees of multinational companies to transfer to EU branches without changing employers. Chinese and South Korean workers followed, with 1,600 and 1,300 permits, respectively.

EU boosts academic mobility for global learners

In addition to skilled labor, the EU issued 451,000 authorizations for students and researchers in 2023. Germany again took the lead, granting 144,000 permits, followed by France with 117,000 and Spain with 55,000.

This surge aligns with broader EU goals to attract global talent early through academic exchange.

Indians topped this list as well, with 50,000 permits, ahead of China (47,000), Morocco (22,000), and the United States (21,000). This student mobility serves as a pipeline for future skilled workers and innovators.

Netherlands rises as corporate relocation hub

While Germany and France dominate the Blue Card landscape, the Netherlands stood out in the ICT category, issuing 2,700 permits — 25% of the EU total. 

Germany and Hungary followed closely with 1,900 permits each, with France and Spain also playing key roles.

These figures highlight the Netherlands’ attractiveness to multinational firms, thanks to its business-friendly environment, strategic location, and streamlined immigration procedures for corporate staff.

Policy implications and future outlook

This data comes at a time when EU countries face mounting pressure to fill vacancies in specialized fields. Aging populations, low birth rates, and digital transformation have intensified the need for foreign professionals.

The Blue Card program, once limited in scope, is now central to EU migration policy.

According to Eurostat, these trends also intersect with broader EU efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce, emphasized this year during EU Diversity Month 2025.

Programs like the Blue Card and ICT permits are no longer just economic tools — they also reflect shifting societal priorities and values.

However, disparities remain. Germany’s dominance suggests that some countries are better prepared or more willing to tap into global talent pools.

For the EU to remain competitive, others must improve their policies, infrastructure, and outreach to potential migrants.

A shift in travel dynamics across Europe

The issuance of 89,000 EU Blue Cards in 2023 underscores a growing demand for skilled non-EU labor, especially from countries like India, Russia, and Türkiye.

For short-term and long-term visitors—particularly those eyeing employment or academic opportunities—this trend highlights Europe’s increasing openness to talent-driven migration.

As the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) prepares to launch, travelers will face new pre-screening steps, making it more important than ever to align their travel purposes with evolving visa channels like the Blue Card.

Those seeking permanent relocation may find more structured, skills-based entry routes under updated Schengen and labor mobility frameworks.

Global talent fuels Europe’s innovation engine

With India leading as the top source of talent and Germany issuing over three-quarters of all Blue Cards, the 2023 numbers underscore the EU’s growing reliance on skilled non-EU workers to power its knowledge economy.

This strategic embrace of high-caliber global professionals highlights not only Europe’s competitive drive but also its commitment to shaping a more inclusive and future-ready workforce.

As borders blur in the pursuit of innovation, the EU Blue Card emerges as a beacon of opportunity on the global stage.