On 20 October 2021 a revised directive on the European Blue Card was adopted. Turning this amendments into national legislation process has been delayed and expected to be done in the first quarter of 2024. But some of the rules from the revised Directive did take effect on 18 November 2023. 

These are the changes:

• Persons who have international protection status in an EU Member State can now qualify for a European Blue Card if they meet the requirements. 
• A higher education degree is required for the Blue Card. ICT managers and ICT professionals can now qualify on the basis of work experience.
• The minimum term of the required employment contract has been shortened to 6 months (previously 18 months).
• Holders of a European Blue Card in a different EU Member State are now allowed to come to the Netherlands for work-related activities for 9 months at most. In order to stay more than 90 days (long-term mobility), an individual must apply for a European Blue Card in the Netherlands. Long-term mobility is possible after a stay of a least 12 months (previously after 18 months) in another EU Member State.
• Holders of European Blue Cards who have used long-term mobility may qualify sooner than before for the status long-term EU resident. For this purpose they may in fact also include other forms of residence.  
• No job-market test applies to EU long-term residents who are former holders of a European Blue Card and have applied for residence in the Netherlands for the purpose of performing an economic activity as an employee or self-employed person.
• Several decision periods have been shortened.