Published on: March 09, 2025 | Article No: 311 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
Let’s talk about something big—India’s growing presence in the European Union’s highly skilled job market. If you’ve been dreaming about working in Europe, you’re not alone. India is at the top of the list when it comes to the Student visas, the EU Blue Card and other professional visas, for skilled workers looking to build their careers in European Union countries.
Indian students and professionals generally prefer English speaking countries such as USA 🇺🇸, UK 🇬🇧, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia 🇦🇺, etc.
But the number of people choosing Europe is growing steadily too. Of course, there is a language barrier in each EU country but a lot has improved over the years.
The EU Blue Card: What’s the Buzz?
Think of the EU Blue Card as Europe’s short answer to the U.S. Green Card—but specifically for highly skilled professionals. The EU Blue Card Visa is very easy to obtain by anyone satisfying certain criteria. There is a no lottery system or long years of waiting. If you’re a university graduate or have top-tier professional experience, this permit makes it easier to live and work in the EU.
In 2023 alone, about 89,000 non-EU professionals received an EU Blue Card. And guess what? Germany was the top issuer with 69,000 cards. Yes, 78% of all Blue Cards. Poland and France were next in line, but Germany is leading the charge.
| Country | Received | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 69,000 | 78% |
| Poland | 7,000 | 8% |
| France | 4,000 | 4% |
Now, here’s the part that should make every Indian professional pay attention: Indians received the highest number of EU Blue Cards in 2023—a whopping 21,000, which is 24% of all Blue Cards issued in the EU. That’s ahead of Russia, Türkiye, and Belarus.
| Country | Received | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| India | 21,000 | 24% |
| Russia | 9,000 | 11% |
| Türkiye | 6,000 | 7% |
| Belarus | 5,000 | 6% |
Why Germany is the Hotspot?
Germany isn’t just the biggest player in the EU Blue Card game. It’s also one of the easiest places for skilled professionals to relocate. Why?
- It has a huge demand for IT, engineering, and healthcare professionals.
- The country is the 3rd largest economy in the world.
- The cost of living (outside big cities like Berlin and Munich) is manageable.
Other EU countries aren’t far behind too. France and Italy are the 7th and 8th largest economies in the world respectively.
But let’s talk numbers. If you’re considering Germany in 2025, you’ll need a minimum gross salary of €48,300 per year (or €43,759.80 in some cases). If Germany isn’t your dream destination, don’t worry. There are other European countries rolling out the red carpet for skilled workers:
| Country | Minimum Gross Salary Requirement (2025) |
|---|---|
| Germany | €48,300 (€43,759.80 in some cases) |
| France | €58,300 |
| Spain | €55,000 (Managers) / €41,000 (Specialists) |
| Poland | PLN 12,272.58 per month (~€2,650 per month). |
Students & Researchers: Europe wants you too
It’s not just working professionals making the move. If you’re a student or researcher, the EU is more than happy to welcome you. In 2023, a staggering 451,000 authorizations were issued for study and research, and guess who topped the charts again? India, with 50,000 permits!
Top EU countries which issued these permits in 2023
| Country | Issued | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 144,000 | 32% |
| France | 117,000 | 26% |
| Spain | 55,000 | 12% |
Top non-EU countries which received these permits in 2023
| Country | Received | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| India | 50,000 | 11% |
| China | 47,000 | 10% |
| Morocco | 22,000 | 5% |
| USA | 21,000 | 5% |
Intra-Corporate Transfers: The shortcut to Europe
Here’s another interesting way Indians are making their way to Europe, through intra-corporate transfers (ICTs). If your company has an office in the EU, you could be posted there through a transfer permit. In 2023, India accounted for 36% of all intra-corporate transfer permits issued in the EU. That’s 3,900 Indian professionals working for global companies in Europe without needing an EU Blue Card.
Top EU countries which issued the ICT Permits in 2023
| Country | Issued | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2,700 | 25% |
| Germany | 1,900 | 18% |
| Hungary | 1,900 | 18% |
| France | 1,500 | 14% |
| Spain | 1,100 | 10% |
Top non-EU countries which received these ICT Permits in 2023
| Country | Received | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| India | 3,900 | 36% |
| China | 1,600 | 14% |
| South Korea | 1,300 | 12% |
Why Indians are thriving in the EU Job market?
So why are Indian professionals in such high demand? Here are some key reasons:
- Quality Education: Indian universities produce some of the world’s best engineers, IT experts, and finance professionals.
- Strong English skills: Many EU employers prefer workers who can communicate fluently in English, and Indians fit the bill.
- Tech-savvy workforce: With India being a global IT hub, European companies see Indian professionals as a perfect fit for their growing tech industries.
- Global experience: Many Indian professionals already work with international clients, making them a seamless fit for European workplaces.
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Final Thoughts: Should you make the move?
If you’re an Indian professional eyeing international career opportunities, the EU Blue Card and other professional visas could be your golden ticket. With Germany leading the way, followed by France, Poland, and Spain, Europe is more open than ever to welcoming skilled workers from India.
Whether you’re in tech, healthcare, finance, or engineering, Europe requires a lot of professionals. And with the rising number of Indian students and corporate transfers, the continent is quickly becoming a second home for ambitious professionals from India.
So, what’s next? If you’re serious about working in Europe, start preparing now—brush up your CV, check out job portals, and explore visa requirements for your dream country. Your global career could be just one visa away!
Data Source: Eurostat – European Commission – European Union
