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.
Thivon Avenue, 196-198, Ag. Ioannis Rentis – Nikaia, 18233
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
29 July 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
29 July 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
29 July 2025
3.1. Data description
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 19 November 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 on 11 April 2012
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 was transposed at national level on 1 April 2023
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
All data explicitly refer to the number of persons.
3.6. Statistical population
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.7. Reference area
GREECE
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
This metadata information is provided by the authorities of Greece to ensure compliance with the EU Blue Cards statistics produced under the Directive 2009/50/EC and starting from 19 November 2023 this directive is replaced by Directive (EU) 2021/1883As required by Directive (EU) 2021/1883, Member States must report to Eurostat on the data sources used, the reasons for the selection of these sources and the effects of the selected data on the quality of the statistics. Member States shall provide Eurostat with all the information necessary to evaluate the quality, comparability and completeness of the statistical information.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Statistics concerning Directive (EU) 2021/1883 is shared with relevant ministries, organizations, Eurostat, etc.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics 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. The General Data Protection Regulation applies in Greece.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
All the necessary measures (logical, physical and administrative) are taken in all the process to guarantee the adequate data protection as established by current legislation
8.1. Release calendar
No release calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
No release calendar.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not applicable.
Statistics on blue cards are currently published on Eurostat platform once a year within 6 months after the end of the reference year
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not applicable.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not applicable.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Eurostat dissemination yearly (on ESTAT website).
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
The metadata are complete and accessible online on the website of Eurostat.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
In accordance with Eurostat guidelines
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Compilation of data is following the guidelines and instructions provided by Eurostat. Consistency validation checks are performed.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Our data sets deal with constant assessments through internal checks.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The statistics collected are used in official publications and by a wide range of users at national, European and International level.These statistics are used by national administrations, academic researchers and civil society groups working on a wide range of topics including the integration of immigrants, the development and monitoring of national immigration procedures, and the projection of the future population and labour force. At European level, the main users of these statistics are Eurostat and DG Home. These statistics are used in several publications of the Commission, as well as in the preparation of regular reports, policy proposals and analysis. The statistics also provide an input to the European Migration Network (EMN) studies and reports that address specific issues of current policy importance.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
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 overall assessment of the accuracy of the data collection is considered to be high.
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
There are no measurement errors.
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
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Data supply to Eurostat is in accordance with the Regulation and the Technical Guidelines, also concerning the timeframe of sending data to Eurostat.The tables are produced and send to Eurostat within the mandatory deadlines: 180 days after the end of the reference period.
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 results are completely consistent across the territory, at all levels of disaggregation, as they are calculated at the most disaggregated level possible, and the totals are obtained by aggregating results. In addition, they are calculated based on the definitions established in the European Regulation 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851, the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits and the Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC.
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
No incoherence noticed.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
All the statistics produced are consistent since they are all obtained from the same administrative register and the calculation methodology is the same for all of them.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The data undergoes continuous validation on a regular basis.
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
All source data are collected and processed continuously in the relevant database
18.3. Data collection
Data is collected from the integrated information management system.
18.4. Data validation
The source data are checked and validated before compiling the aggregates output statistics sent to Eurostat.
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 19 November 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 on 11 April 2012
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 was transposed at national level on 1 April 2023
29 July 2025
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
All data explicitly refer to the number of persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
GREECE
Calendar year.
The overall assessment of the accuracy of the data collection is considered to be high.
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’.
Statistics on blue cards are currently published on Eurostat platform once a year within 6 months after the end of the reference year
Data supply to Eurostat is in accordance with the Regulation and the Technical Guidelines, also concerning the timeframe of sending data to Eurostat.The tables are produced and send to Eurostat within the mandatory deadlines: 180 days after the end of the reference period.
The results are completely consistent across the territory, at all levels of disaggregation, as they are calculated at the most disaggregated level possible, and the totals are obtained by aggregating results. In addition, they are calculated based on the definitions established in the European Regulation 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851, the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits and the Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
