The EU Parliament has approved changes to the EU Blue Card scheme, e.g., a binding job offer for a highly qualified position now requires a minimum six months length instead of 12 months; however, such changes have yet to be implemented in Italy. After approval by the EU Council and publication in the official gazette, EU member states will have in fact two years to implement such changes into their national legislation. For the time being, the features of the EU Blue Card as implemented in Italy are still the same; hence, an investor who wants to hire non-EU talents shall comply with the usual requirements, among which are: (i) the future employee shall hold a university degree recognized in Italy; (ii) binding job offer or contract of at least 12 months; (iii) minimum annual gross salary of approx. 25,000 euros and (iv) a qualified job position.
