The Italy Blue Card is a permit that allows non-European citizens to reside in Italy and work in a specialized job with a high salary under an official employment contract. This card is issued under European Union regulations and aims to attract skilled professionals to the European labor market.
The EU Blue Card (EU Blue Card), or in Italian Carta Blu UE, is a special residence permit in the European Union issued to non-EU citizens, enabling them to live and work as skilled professionals in a European country, including Italy.
How to get an Italian Blue Card
The Italy Blue Card is similar to the U.S. Green Card, allowing skilled professionals from outside the EU to enter Italy and live and work there. The spouse and children under 17 years of age can also reside in Italy with the main applicant.
To obtain a Blue Card, the applicant must have a job offer with a minimum annual salary of €33,500. If you already have an invitation from an Italian company that meets the requirements, we can process your Blue Card using your invitation. If you do not have a job offer, at Parks we review the applicant’s work experience and skills and forward them to an Italian company whose activities and needs match your experience. After the interview process and approval by the Italian company, and completion of administrative procedures, the invitation and work residence permit are issued.
The main applicant receives a one-year residency visa from the Italian consulate in Tehran. Upon arrival in Italy, the first one-year residence card is issued, followed by two two-year cards, and finally, after 5 years, permanent residency in Italy. The spouse and children under 17 join the main applicant after the card is issued and receive their residence cards as well.
Conditions for obtaining an Italian Blue Card
- Citizenship of a country outside the European Union: Only non-European citizens can apply for a Blue Card.
- University degree or professional specialization: Having at least a bachelor's degree related to the proposed job (diplomas must have 5 years of specialized work experience)
- Job offer from an Italian employer: with a minimum one-year contract in specialized and skilled jobs.
- Minimum annual salary specified in the contract: at least 33,500 euros per year
- Work experience: At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
- Preferably familiarity with Italian or English at B1 level
- Financial capacity to cover at least the expenses of the first year of living in Italy.
- Having a specific place of residence in Italy: proof of purchase of a house or rental contract for at least one year.
- No criminal record: Provide a certificate of no criminal record.
- Note: Proficiency in Italian or English at level B1 or B2 is an important advantage and facilitates the process of obtaining residency.
Benefits of the Italian Blue Card
The EU Blue Card (EU Blue Card) in Italy is one of the best immigration pathways for non-EU skilled and educated professionals. This card offers numerous benefits that distinguish it from other types of work residency. Below are the main advantages of the Italy Blue Card:
- Faster access to permanent residence: With the Blue Card, you can apply for a long-term EU residence permit after 5 years of legal residence in the EU (not just in Italy), provided that you have lived in your current country (e.g. Italy) for at least 2 years.
- Equal rights to Italian citizens: Equal working rights to native citizens (in hiring, working conditions, dismissal, etc.) – social insurance, health, education and family benefits.
- Possibility of extension and conversion to permanent residence: Self-employment residence can be extended every year if it remains active. After 5 years of legal residence and paying taxes, you can apply for permanent residence (Carta di soggiorno). After 10 years, you can also apply for Italian citizenship.
- Possibility of moving within Europe: After 12 months of residence in Italy, you can apply to work in other European countries (without the need for a preliminary visa).
- Permission to change job and employer (relatively flexible): During the first 12 months you can only change employer with official permission from the Immigration Office. After 12 months changing employer is easier and only a notification to the Questura is sufficient, provided that you remain in the field of specialization related to your Blue Card.
- Right to use public and social services: After obtaining the residence card, you can access the following services: State healthcare system (by registering with the SSN) - Insurance and pension services (if paid by INPS) - Free education in Italian universities and schools for the applicant, spouse and children.
- Possibility of rapid family accompaniment: Family (spouse and children under 18) can come to Italy with you or after you. The spouse of the Blue Card holder will be allowed to work full-time in Italy.
- Priority in legal immigration and faster case review: Blue Card holders are usually given priority processing over other types of work permits.
- Relatively lower cost of living than other Western European countries: The cost of living in medium-sized Italian cities like Bologna, Turin, or Bari is lower than in cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or Berlin.
- No Quota Required: Unlike many types of work permits, the Blue Card is exempt from Italy's seasonal or annual immigration quota.
The process of applying for and receiving the Italian Blue Card
The process of applying for an Italian Blue Card (EU Blue Card / Carta Blu UE) involves several specific and legal steps. This process usually takes between 3 and 6 months (and sometimes longer). Below, we explain the steps step by step.
Consulting with Parks Company and reviewing your conditions for this type of stay
Reviewing your goals and plans for residence in Italy, as well as reviewing your employment and educational background and financial ability, and providing detailed advice and information on the suitability of this program for your circumstances and goals.
Preparing documents for obtaining an invitation and visa
The most important of these are your work and educational background.
Finding a valid job offer
Find a valid job offer from an Italian company.
Obtaining an activity permit (Nulla Osta)
Such as business license, tax code, social insurance registration.
Purchasing a residential unit in Italy
Rent or Buy
Visa application from the Italian Embassy
The visa issuance process takes between one and two months.
Entering Italy and applying for a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)
To obtain a residence card, it is mandatory to register at the Questura during the first week of arrival in Italy.
Fingerprinting
Fingerprinting at the Questura and receiving the Blue Card within 30 days.
Documents required for the Italian Blue Card
To obtain the Italy Blue Card (EU Blue Card – Carta Blu UE), the applicant and their employer must prepare specific documents at different stages. These documents are divided into three main sections:
- Documents for obtaining the initial work permit – by the employer (Nulla Osta)
- Documents for obtaining a type D visa from the Italian Embassy
- Documents required in Italy to receive the original Blue Card
Documents to obtain a work permit for the initial activity (Nulla Osta) from the Italian government
This permit must be requested by the employer through the “Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione” and await approval (Nulla Osta) — the processing time is usually 2 to 4 months. The required documents are as follows:
Applicant’s Residency Documents
- Copy of passport with at least 2 years of validity for the applicant
- Original university degree certificates (with official Italian translation) and documents related to work experience
- Dichiarazione di Valore from the Italian Embassy in the country of study (degree valuation)
- CV or professional work history of the applicant
- Police clearance certificate (no criminal record)
- Documents regarding rental or purchase of accommodation in Italy
- One-way flight reservation
- Application for Nulla Osta work permit from the Italian government by the employer
- Official employment contract with the minimum annual salary (approximately €33,500)
- Employer’s financial sufficiency declaration (company balance sheet or tax statement)
- Employer company registration certificate (Visura Camerale)
- Articles of association of the Italian company
- Proof of Italian or English language proficiency
Documents required to obtain a type D visa or (National Visa) from the Italian Embassy
- Passport with at least 2 years of validity for the applicant
- Copy of passport and copies of previous Schengen visas
- Original and translated birth certificate of the applicant in Italian
- Visa application form and 2 passport-sized color photos
- Proof of financial means and 6-month bank statement of the applicant
- Educational certificates and work experience documents with official translation and Italian Embassy authentication
- Italian government Nulla Osta authorization for residency issuance
- Employment contract signed by the employer
- Accommodation documents: related to rental of a residence in Italy
- One-way flight reservation and travel insurance
Documents required in Italy to obtain the original Italian Blue Card
To apply for the self-employment residence card in Italy, after entering with a type D visa, you must visit the post office or immigration office in Italy within 8 working days to submit your official residency application. Below are the documents required to apply for the Italy Blue Card:
- Original and copy of passport and copy of type D visa
- Copy of Nulla Osta
- Original and copy of the employment contract with the employer
- Special residence card application form (known as Kit Giallo)
- Lease agreement or property deed for accommodation in Italy
- Documents related to one-year insurance coverage
Additional Notes
- The educational degree must be valid and relevant to the job for which you are hired. If the degree is from a non-European country, it must be authenticated by the Italian Embassy.
- If you are using 5 years of professional work experience instead of a degree, it must be verifiable with valid employment documents (such as work certificates, letters from companies, or insurance records).
- If applying with your spouse and children, identity documents, birth certificates, and proof of dependency are required and must be officially translated.
Italian Blue Card applicant fees
The costs for obtaining the Italy Blue Card (EU Blue Card / Carta Blu UE) include various items and may vary slightly depending on your country of origin, type of contract, destination city in Italy, and personal circumstances.
- Service fees to Parks for processing the applicant’s residency
- Travel expenses to Italy (including flight, hotel, and transfer to the destination city)
- Costs related to purchasing or renting accommodation, including deposit, monthly rent, and agency commission
- Government payments such as insurance and stamps – approximately €500 per person
- Document translation and Italian embassy authentication – approximately €300 to €700
- Italian embassy visa stamp fee – €116 per person
Residence of the spouse and children of the applicant for an Italian Blue Card
Residency for the spouse and children of an Italy Blue Card holder (Carta Blu UE) is part of the “Family Reunification – Ricongiungimento Familiare” process. Italy has made it easier and faster for Blue Card holders to bring family members compared to other immigration pathways.
Who is eligible for family reunification?
According to Italian law, the family members who can join a Blue Card holder include:
- Legal spouse
- Children under 18 years old
- Children over 18 who are disabled or dependent
- Dependent elderly parents (only under specific conditions and with proof of significant dependency)
Obtaining residence for family members at the same time as the main applicant
The spouse and children of an Italy Blue Card applicant can apply for a type D visa simultaneously with the main applicant, provided that a Nulla Osta (family reunification permit) has also been issued for them at the same time.
Necessary conditions for simultaneous family action
In order for the spouse and children to apply for a visa simultaneously with the Blue Card job offer holder:
- The employer or the applicant must also submit a family reunification request when applying for the Blue Card.
- For this purpose, when submitting documents to the Sportello Unico, a Nulla Osta must be requested simultaneously for both the main Blue Card applicant and the family members.
Obtaining residence permits for family members after the main applicant
If the spouse and children do not apply simultaneously with the main applicant and postpone their residency application until after the main applicant has moved to Italy, they have two options to achieve this:
- Option 1: After the main applicant obtains residency, the family travels to Italy on a tourist visa and applies for family reunification residency in Italy. In this method, the necessary conditions and documents for family reunification are effectively available one year after the main applicant.
- Option 2: After the main applicant receives the residence card, a Nulla Osta for the family is requested in Italy, and the family travels from the Italian Embassy with a national visa to join Italy and receive their residence cards.
- Important Note: Currently, the second method is not recommended because, under the new regulations, the main applicant can only obtain a Nulla Osta for the family after having two years of declared income.
Family reunification residence for the parents of the main applicant
For parents over 65 years of age: There are two cases where you can obtain companionship for parents over 65 years of age: If the parents do not have another child in your country to take care of them, or if the daughter and son who are with the parents in your country have a serious illness themselves.
For parents under 65 years of age: If the parents are dependent on you for their living expenses and have no other children in their country.
Validity period of the Italian Blue Card
The validity period of the Italy Blue Card (EU Blue Card – Carta Blu UE) depends on the type of your employment contract, but legally it ranges from a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 2 years. Details are as follows:
- Temporary contract (e.g., one year): contract duration + 3 extra months = 15-month Blue Card
- 18-month contract: Blue Card will be valid for 21 months
- Permanent contract: Blue Card validity is up to 2 years
Italy Blue Card Renewal
The first residence card is valid for 1 year, the second and third cards are valid for 2 years each, and after 5 years, permanent residency is granted.
- After expiration, the card can be renewed indefinitely, provided the employment conditions continue (specialized work, sufficient income, and a valid contract).
- After 5 years of legal residence in the European Union (at least 2 years in Italy), you can apply for EU permanent residency instead of renewal.
- If you lose your job, legally you have 3 months to find new employment without losing your Blue Card.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship with Italian Blue Card
After 5 years of temporary residency in Italy, you can apply for permanent residency. The requirements for obtaining permanent residency include: holding an A2 level Italian language certificate, residing in Italy, and maintaining annual income sources according to the required standards to cover living expenses in Italy.
The Italian passport ranks second in the world in terms of strength, even higher than the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Generally, you can apply for it after 10 years of residence in Italy. The requirements for obtaining Italian citizenship and a passport include: holding a B1 level Italian language certificate, residing in Italy, having no criminal record in Italy or Iran, and maintaining annual income sources according to the required standards to cover living expenses in Italy.
Timeline for obtaining an Italian Blue Card
In general, the timeline for obtaining an Italy Blue Card residency varies depending on the status of documents, the destination city, and the response time of the relevant authorities. The entire process, from start to receiving the residence card, consists of two main stages:
- Process in Iran: From the start until obtaining the residence visa while the applicant is in Iran, which takes approximately 3 to 5 months
- Process in Italy: From the applicant’s arrival in Italy until receiving the residence card
The approximate timeline for each stage is as follows:
| No. | Stage | Description | Approx. Time |
| 1 | Preparation of Applicant Documents | Official translation of applicant documents and power of attorney with Italian Embassy authentication | 1 to 2 months |
| 2 | Request for Work Permit (Nulla Osta) from the Italian Government | Thorough review of documents by the Italian government for permit issuance | 2 to 3 months |
| 3 | Visa Issuance from the Italian Embassy | Booking embassy appointment and submitting the visa application | 1 to 2 months |
| 4 | Travel to Italy and Residence Card Issuance | Applying for the residence card and completing fingerprint registration at the Questura | 2 to 4 months |
Frequently asked questions about the Italian Blue Card
What is the Italian Blue Card and who is it suitable for?
Answer: The Blue Card is a type of work residence permit for non-European skilled and educated workers that allows them to live and work in Italy. This card is for people who have a university degree and are employed in a good, well-paid job in an Italian company.
What is the minimum salary required to receive an Italian Blue Card?
Answer: The minimum annual salary for the Italian Blue Card in 2025 is around 33,500 to 35,000 euros . This amount is updated every year by the Italian Ministry of Labor.
If you become unemployed, will the Blue Card be revoked?
Answer: No, if you lose your job, you legally have 3 months to find a new job.
If you do not find work within this period, your Blue Card may be cancelled unless you change your type of residence.
Is it necessary to know Italian to get a Blue Card?
Answer: No, it is not mandatory to have a language certificate or to know Italian and English to get a Blue Card, but knowing one or both Italian and English is a great advantage. Especially Italian is very useful and necessary for life and work. Most employers prefer to hire an employee who is fluent in at least one of the two languages, Italian and English.
Do I need to have a specific educational qualification to receive an Italian Blue Card?
Answer: Yes, you must have a valid university degree (minimum Bachelor's degree) in a field related to the proposed job and your degree must be certified by the Italian embassy in your country of origin.
Can I go to other EU countries with a Blue Card?
Yes, after 18 months of residence in one EU country with a Blue Card, you can apply for a new job in another EU country (e.g. Germany or France). This possibility is one of the important benefits of the Blue Card.
Can I change my employer after receiving a Blue Card?
Answer: Yes, during the first 12 months of residence with a Blue Card, changing employers is only possible with the permission of the Immigration Office. However, after 12 months, changing employers becomes easier and it is sufficient to notify the Questura.
Is it possible to bring your spouse and children with you from the beginning?
Answer: Yes, if the Nulla Osta is issued for the family at the same time as the main applicant, the spouse and children can accompany them from the beginning and receive a type D visa.
Can the spouse of a Blue Card holder work in Italy?
Answer: Yes, the spouse of the Blue Card applicant is allowed to work full-time and without restrictions after entering Italy and receiving a residence card.
How long after receiving a Blue Card can I apply for permanent residence?
Answer: After 5 years of legal residence in the European Union (at least the last 2 years in Italy), you can obtain permanent European residency.
Is it possible to convert a Blue Card (for example, to self-employment or education)?
Answer: Yes, in many cases yes, but you must fully meet the new residency requirements and go through the legal process. Conversion to student, family, or even freelance residency is possible under certain conditions.
Is the Italian Blue Card different from a regular work visa?
Answer: Yes, the Blue Card has more benefits (job transfer within the EU, faster permanent residence), better conditions for family reunification, better access to citizenship rights, and exemption from annual immigration quotas.
Can I work in more than one job with a Blue Card?
Answer: Normally, you are only allowed to work for the specialized job specified in the original contract .
For a second job or part-time job, you must obtain a special permit.