Comparison guide
EU Blue Card in the Baltics and Slovakia: Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia
How the EU Blue Card works for skilled professionals moving to Latvia, Lithuania, or Slovakia.
Last reviewed:
Highly-qualified professionals with a job offerPeople comparing Central and Eastern European EU optionsThose who want a route that counts toward EU long-term residenceWhat does EU Blue Card in the Baltics and Slovakia: Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia compare?
How the EU Blue Card works for skilled professionals moving to Latvia, Lithuania, or Slovakia. It compares EU Blue Card (Latvia), EU Blue Card (Lithuania), EU Blue Card (Slovakia), with each route linked to its primary government source.
Verified against Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP/OCMA), Latvia on 1 June 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | EU Blue Card (Latvia) | Yes | Tied to the contract and renewable while you keep qualifying employment - confirm current validity on the official page. | Yes |
| Lithuania | EU Blue Card (Lithuania) | Yes | Commonly issued for up to about three years where the contract allows, and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page. | Yes |
| Slovakia | EU Blue Card (Slovakia) | Yes | Tied to the contract and renewable while you keep qualifying employment - confirm current validity on the official page. | Yes |
Detailed comparison
The EU Blue Card is a highly-qualified-employment route available across EU members, including Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia; it requires a recognised qualification and a salary above a national threshold (indicative and updated regularly).
All three are EU and Schengen members, so a Blue Card comes with Schengen travel and counts toward EU long-term residence (generally after five years).
Each country also offers its own routes: Latvia and Lithuania have Startup Visas, Latvia has a Digital Nomad Visa and a Golden Visa, while Slovakia capped its business-residence permits in a July 2025 reform.
Salary thresholds and qualification rules differ by country and change over time - treat any figure as indicative and confirm it on the official page.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
EU Blue Card (Latvia)· Republic of Latvia
If you are a highly qualified professional with a Latvian job offer at the required salary, the EU Blue Card gives you residence with EU-wide mobility.
Requires sponsorship · Tied to the contract and renewable while you keep qualifying employment - confirm current validity on the official page.
EU Blue Card (Lithuania)· Republic of Lithuania
If you are a highly qualified professional with a Lithuanian job offer at the required salary, the EU Blue Card is a recognised route with EU-wide mobility.
Requires sponsorship · Commonly issued for up to about three years where the contract allows, and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
EU Blue Card (Slovakia)· Slovak Republic
If you are a highly qualified professional with a Slovak job offer at the required salary, the EU Blue Card gives you residence with EU-wide mobility.
Requires sponsorship · Tied to the contract and renewable while you keep qualifying employment - confirm current validity on the official page.
Source basis
This comparison is based on the official government portals and primary route sources for the visas named on this page. Open each full guide for eligibility, fees, processing time and action links.
Reviewed
Primary sources
- Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Latvia) - verified
- Migration Department
Migration Department (Ministry of the Interior, Lithuania) - verified
- Ministry of the Interior - Foreigners
Ministry of the Interior / Border and Foreigners Police (Slovakia) - verified
- PMLP - Residence permit
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP/OCMA), Latvia - verified
- Migration Department - I am a highly skilled employee
Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) - verified
- Ministry of Interior - Information for foreigners
Bureau of Border and Foreigners Police, Ministry of Interior (Slovakia) - verified
Frequently asked questions
Can I move between EU countries on an EU Blue Card?+
Yes - after a qualifying period in your first country, the EU Blue Card allows intra-EU mobility to take up highly-qualified work in another member state, subject to that country's rules. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia all participate. Confirm the current mobility conditions on each official page.
Which of these is best for a tech worker?+
It depends on the offer and city: Lithuania and Latvia have strong Baltic tech scenes and fast Startup Visas, while Slovakia has an automotive and shared-services base. All three offer the EU Blue Card and count toward EU long-term residence. Check each official immigration authority for current salary thresholds.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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