Ursula von der Leyen on January 27 announced that the European Union will soon open its first legal gateway office in India, designed to function as a one-stop hub providing information and support for the movement of Indian workers and professionals to the bloc’s 27 member states.
The announcement was made during the formal conclusion of the India–EU free trade agreement talks in New Delhi, attended by European Commission president von der Leyen, European Council president Antonio Costa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India and the EU concluded the long-awaited trade agreement on January 27, with the ratification process expected to be completed by the end of this year.
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The pact is projected to deliver a $75 billion boost to Indian exports by granting preferential access to European markets for 99 percent of goods. The EU, meanwhile, is targeting a doubling of its exports to India by 2032. Once implemented, the agreement is expected to drive growth across key sectors including automobiles, gems and jewellery, electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The deal is also likely to open new employment avenues for highly skilled Indian professionals in Europe, offering a potential alternative for students and workers seeking options beyond the US amid immigration uncertainties linked to President Donald Trump’s policy stance.
How the legal gateway office will help Indian talent
The EU chief said that under the agreement, the movement of students, researchers, seasonal workers and highly skilled professionals will be facilitated in line with the needs and policies of individual member states.
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An EU statement said the office will enable the use of the EU Talent Pool IT platform to support worker recruitment as required.
We are launching the first EU legal gateway office in India. It will be a one-stop hub to support Indian talent moving to Europe: EU President @vonderleyen#IndiaEUTradeDealpic.twitter.com/ANuoJdCC3K— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 27, 2026
Under the EU–India Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility, Indian professionals will be directly connected with major employment hubs in European cities such as Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam to access job opportunities.
The legal gateway office will also facilitate intra-corporate transfers, short-term business travel and the recognition of Indian qualifications across EU member states.
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In addition, the EU said it will “modernise and simplify” Schengen visa procedures through the upcoming digitalisation of the visa system, while also addressing challenges related to visa fraud and document verification.
Advantage for students and researchers
The office will also support Indian students and researchers seeking opportunities at leading European universities. It aims to strengthen exchanges among students, academics and researchers through joint initiatives, including the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC).
The EU said it will facilitate recognition of qualifications and overseas learning periods to support deeper collaboration in higher and vocational education, enabling joint programmes, satellite campuses and language training initiatives in India.
It also said it will back skill development and technical qualifications in critical technology areas, and support mobility programmes under Horizon Europe and Indian fellowship schemes.
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Indians in Europe
According to European Commission data released in 2024, Indian nationals were issued around 16,300 EU Blue Cards during the year—the highest number granted to any nationality. These permits are meant for highly skilled professionals seeking employment in the EU.
EU member states also issued about 10,200 intra-corporate transfer permits in 2024, with Indians accounting for roughly 3,300 permits, or nearly 33 percent of the total.
Indians also formed a significant share of first-time residence permit recipients. Around 192,400 Indians were granted first-time residence permits in 2024, placing them among the largest non-EU national groups allowed to live in the bloc that year.
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