Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Data collection on EU Blue Cards statistics based on EU Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment. The EU Blue Cards statistics is produced under the Directive 2009/50/EC. From November 19, 2023 this directive is replaced by Directive (EU) 2021/1883. The new legal requirements regarding supplementary statistics are applicable starting with 2024 reference period.
The following datasets are collected in 2023 under this framework:
EU Blue Cards by type of decision, occupation and citizenship (migr_resbc1)
Admitted family members of EU Blue Cards holders by type of decision and citizenship (migr_resbc2)
EU Blue Cards holders and family members by Member State of previous residence (migr_resbc3)
Directive 2009/50/EC was transposed at national level, but the date is unknown.
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 was transposed at national level, but the date is unknown.
3.2. Classification system
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Residence permits statistics, EU Blue Cards.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.5. Statistical unit
Permits.
3.6. Statistical population
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.7. Reference area
Germany.
3.8. Coverage - Time
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The Blue Card statistics up to reference year 2021 were based on Directive 2009/50/EG of 25 May 2009 referring to Regulation (EC) 862/2007, and for reference year 2021 up to reference year 2023 based on the same Directive 2009/50/EG referring to Regulation (EC) 862/2007 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/851.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Within the central register of foreigners, among other data, data on Blue Cards is stored. there is a database for Resper data which has automated procedures to produce the tables required by Eurostat. Between national institutions, data sharing is different for every occasion, depending on the legal framework and requirements.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not available.
8.1. Release calendar
Blue Card data is published by different sources in Germany.
As these data sources may have different definitions on what data is part of the statistics, they should not be directly compared to data provided to Eurostat. Some sources only count first permits (German definition), others may have other definitions.
AZR (central register for foreigners) has implemented a Code of Practice to ensure quality.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Not applicable.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The statistics collected under Regulation (EC) 862/2007 are used by a wide range of users at national, European and International level to cover various usersʼ needs.
The statistics collected under the Regulation (EU) 851/2020 are widely used in official publications and by a wide range of users at national, European and International level.
Unmet user needs (on statistics) and reasons why these needs cannot be satisfied (at national and international level) : No unmet needs are known.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No user satisfaction surveys are conducted.
12.3. Completeness
See table 12.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The data provided is as accurate as possible. Blue card data is partially complete. Late registrations are not available for Eurostat data, which causes differences to some other data publications, as late registrations are not included.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
No coverage errors.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
The data provided to Eurostat are extracted from the AZR data warehouse. In this warehouse not all required data are available. Occupation and other member state are not available.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
There is no time lag.
All data provided to Eurostat are sent timely, in accord with the deadlines mentioned in the guidelines.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
See table 14.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The statistics are comparable with other data extracted from AZR, although definition differences in statistics should be taken into consideration. Data is not necessarily comparable across Germany, as different dates of extraction of data will influence the comparability.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
The annual blue card statistics sent to Eurostat are comparable since the revision last year, containing data for the last 3 years before.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Partly.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Germany does not have a data revision policy for these statistics. The data produced are final data.
17.2. Data revision - practice
See table 17.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data is collected continually and reports are extracted annually.
18.3. Data collection
The source of the data is AZR, which contains data from the central register for foreigners. Data is extracted once a month. In Germany there are over 600 points for foreigners to get registered, each of them registering data into the central register of foreigners.
18.4. Data validation
Data is validated annually and checked if it is consistent with the guidelines.
18.5. Data compilation
All processes are according to guidelines. For each table the required records are extracted.
Data collection on EU Blue Cards statistics based on EU Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment. The EU Blue Cards statistics is produced under the Directive 2009/50/EC. From November 19, 2023 this directive is replaced by Directive (EU) 2021/1883. The new legal requirements regarding supplementary statistics are applicable starting with 2024 reference period.
The following datasets are collected in 2023 under this framework:
EU Blue Cards by type of decision, occupation and citizenship (migr_resbc1)
Admitted family members of EU Blue Cards holders by type of decision and citizenship (migr_resbc2)
EU Blue Cards holders and family members by Member State of previous residence (migr_resbc3)
Directive 2009/50/EC was transposed at national level, but the date is unknown.
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 was transposed at national level, but the date is unknown.
2 February 2025
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
Permits.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
Germany.
Calendar year.
The data provided is as accurate as possible. Blue card data is partially complete. Late registrations are not available for Eurostat data, which causes differences to some other data publications, as late registrations are not included.
Number of persons.
All processes are according to guidelines. For each table the required records are extracted.
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
The Blue Card data is provided frequently to the public.
Blue Card data is provided annually to Eurostat.
There is no time lag.
All data provided to Eurostat are sent timely, in accord with the deadlines mentioned in the guidelines.
The statistics are comparable with other data extracted from AZR, although definition differences in statistics should be taken into consideration. Data is not necessarily comparable across Germany, as different dates of extraction of data will influence the comparability.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
