Filipino applicants · Italian Republic
EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) for Filipino citizens
EU-wide highly qualified worker permit for Italy — requires a degree and a salary above the Italian threshold.
This page covers the EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) specifically for Filipino applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Philippines. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 4–12 weeks for nulla osta; 2–4 weeks for visa.
- Government fees
- Nulla osta application €48; visa €116; permesso di soggiorno tax €80–200.
- Typical duration
- 2 years; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a Italian Republic consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Filipino nationals require a visa for any entry into Italian Republic. The EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Visa overview
Italy's EU Blue Card implementation requires a higher-education qualification and an employment contract meeting the salary threshold (approximately 1.5× the average gross Italian salary — around €28,000–€35,000 depending on the sector, verify on the Ministero del Lavoro website). The Blue Card provides intra-EU mobility after 12 months. Italy transposed the revised Blue Card Directive in 2024, expanding eligibility and reducing the salary threshold for shortage occupations.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Employment contract with an Italian employer for a qualified position.
- ✓Higher-education qualification (at least 3 years — laurea triennale equivalent).
- ✓Salary above the Blue Card threshold (verify current figure — approximately 1.5× average gross salary).
Common blockers
- !Salary below the threshold.
- !Degree not recognised as equivalent to an Italian laurea.
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract.
- ·Degree with dichiarazione di valore (declaration of value) from the Italian consulate, or CIMEA equivalency certificate.
- ·Passport.
Application pathway
Employer obtains nulla osta
The employer applies to the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione for a nulla osta (clearance). The Blue Card process is exempt from the Decreto Flussi quota.
Apply for entry visa at consulate
Apply for a D-type national visa at the Italian consulate.
Apply for permesso di soggiorno
Within 8 days of arrival, apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) at the questura via the post office (kit postale).
Not sure Italian Republic is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Filipino nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Filipino citizens eligible for the EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE)?+
Eligibility for the EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) is set by Ministero del Lavoro and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Filipino applicants typically file the EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE)?+
a Italian Republic consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministero del Lavoro — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Filipino applicants need a tourist visa for Italian Republic as well?+
Filipino nationals require a visa for any entry into Italian Republic. The EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Is the EU Blue Card in Italy subject to the Decreto Flussi quota?+
No. EU Blue Card applications are exempt from the annual Decreto Flussi quota system. This is a significant advantage — the Decreto Flussi quota regularly fills within hours of opening, leaving standard work-visa applicants unable to proceed.
What is a nulla osta and how long does it take?+
The nulla osta (literally "no obstacle") is a clearance document issued by the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione confirming that you are authorised to work in Italy. The employer applies for it. Processing takes 4–12 weeks. Without the nulla osta, you cannot obtain a work visa at the consulate. Blue Card nulla osta requests are prioritised over standard work-visa requests.
How do I get my degree recognised in Italy?+
Two main options: (1) Dichiarazione di valore in loco — issued by the Italian consulate in your home country, it declares the value of your qualification in the Italian education system. (2) CIMEA equivalency certificate — an online evaluation service that is faster and increasingly accepted. For regulated professions (healthcare, architecture, engineering), additional professional-recognition steps through the relevant Italian ordine (professional body) may be required.