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Visa overview

One Europe, 27 visa systems.

There is no single EU visa for third-country nationals: each of the 27 member states issues its own national titles under its own law — the EU only sets frameworks such as the Blue Card. Navigating that map is our daily business.

The EU Blue Card

The EU-wide framework for highly qualified professionals: valid in 25 states (all except Denmark and Ireland) as a combined work and residence title. It requires a concrete employment contract and a minimum salary that every country sets according to its own labour market.

Typical national categories

Beyond that, almost every country runs its own visa classes: work visas (skilled workers, seasonal staff, intra-company transfers), student visas, family reunification, digital-nomad visas for remote work, and investor or retiree programmes such as D7 or Golden Visa.

Schengen: visa C vs. visa D

For short stays the Schengen area applies a uniform visa C — up to 90 days within any 180, for tourism or business. Longer stays (studies, work beyond 90 days) run on the national visa D of the destination country.

All 27 EU countries at a glance

BelgiumResidence permit (A/B card), EU Blue Card, family reunification, ICT permit
BulgariaNational visas, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
DenmarkOwn points system, work visas — no EU Blue Card
GermanySkilled-worker visa, ICT card, EU Blue Card, job-seeker visa, Opportunity Card
EstoniaDigital-nomad visa, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
FinlandSpecialist residence permit, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
FrancePasseport Talent, EU Blue Card, student visa, ICT permit
GreeceInvestor visa, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
IrelandCritical Skills Employment Permit — no Schengen, no EU Blue Card
ItalyNulla Osta (work clearance), Carta Blu UE, ICT permit
CroatiaPrivremeni boravak (residence), EU Blue Card, ICT permit
LatviaNational visas, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
LithuaniaNational work visas, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
LuxembourgSalarié hautement qualifié (EU Blue Card), ICT permit
MaltaKey Employee Initiative, EU Blue Card, Nomad Residence Permit, ICT permit
NetherlandsKennismigrant, EU Blue Card, Orientation Year, ICT permit
AustriaRot-Weiß-Rot Card, EU Blue Card, job-seeker visa, ICT permit
PolandWiza Krajowa (type D), EU Blue Card, ICT permit
PortugalD8 (digital nomad), D7, EU Blue Card, Golden Visa, ICT permit
RomaniaLong-term work visa, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
SwedenWork residence permit, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
SlovakiaNational residence titles, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
SloveniaSingle residence & work permit, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
SpainVisado de Trabajo, Golden Visa, digital-nomad visa, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
CzechiaZaměstnanecká karta, Modrá karta (EU Blue Card), ICT permit
HungaryNational work visas, EU Blue Card, ICT permit
CyprusTemporary residence permit, work permit, EU Blue Card, ICT permit

Common titles per country — details and procedures change constantly; we work with the authorities in real time.

Our focus countries with full briefings

DE

Germany Visa

Country briefing →
AT

Austria Visa

Country briefing →
NL

Netherlands Visa

Country briefing →
FR

France Visa

Country briefing →
ES

Spain Visa

Country briefing →
PT

Portugal Visa

Country briefing →
LU

Luxembourg Visa

Country briefing →

Your destination on the map?

MOVES picks the right visa category — and carries your candidate through the procedure. Tell us the role, we reply within 24 hours.

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As of 2026 · Carefully researched, but no substitute for case-specific advice. · All countries

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