Germany dominates EU Blue card approvals in 2023 amid growing demand from highly skilled Non-EU professionals
As the EU celebrates Diversity Month 2025, fresh data published by Eurostat highlights a growing trend in talent mobility and educational migration. In 2023, a total of 89,000 EU Blue Cards were issued to highly qualified workers from outside the EU, with Germany alone accounting for 78% (69,000) of all Blue Cards granted, followed by Poland (7,000 or 8%) and France (4,000 or 4%). This marks a 9% increase in Blue Cards issued across the EU compared to 2022 (81,846 cards), while Germany recorded a 10% rise in Blue Card issuances from the previous year. This underscores Germany’s central role in attracting global talent to fill critical skill shortages.
India emerged as the top source of EU Blue Card holders, with 21,000 cards issued (24%), followed by Russia (9,000), Türkiye (6,000), and Belarus (5,000). This reflects the growing reliance on skilled professionals from Asia and Eastern Europe to meet Europe’s workforce demands.
The EU also recorded significant figures in the education and research sectors. In 2023, 451,000 permits were granted to non-EU citizens for studying and conducting research in Europe. Again, Germany led the way, issuing 144,000 permits (32%), ahead of France (117,000) and Spain (55,000).
Students and researchers from India (11%), China (10%), Morocco (5%), and the United States (5%) formed the bulk of those granted authorization, highlighting Europe’s continued appeal as a global education and research hub.
The EU also approved 10,800 intra-corporate transferee permits, enabling skilled professionals to relocate within multinational companies. The Netherlands issued the highest share (25%), followed by Germany and Hungary (each 18%), France (14%), and Spain (10%).
Most of these were granted to professionals from India (36%), China (14%), and South Korea (12%), emphasizing strong economic ties and business collaborations with Asian markets.
These figures reflect not only the EU’s increasing openness to global talent but also the strategic importance of immigration for maintaining competitiveness and diversity in the labor market. Germany, with its well-established industries and educational institutions, continues to be the top destination for non-EU skilled workers and students.
As EU Diversity Month 2025 shines a spotlight on inclusion, these statistics serve as a powerful reminder of how migration policies and mobility programs are shaping the future of work and education across Europe.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
