EU Blue Card - minimum salary 2025
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for Germany that is specifically aimed at attracting highly qualified skilled workers from third countries outside the EU. The aim is to promote the immigration of these skilled workers to Germany and thus combat the shortage of skilled workers.
In order to obtain an EU Blue Card for Germany, applicants must provide proof of a specific job offer with a salary that meets the specified salary threshold for the EU Blue Card.
The detailed regulation of the salary limits for the EU Blue Card in Germany can be found in § 18g of the Residence Act (AufenthG). The general salary limit that must be met corresponds to half of the annual contribution assessment ceiling of the general German pension insurance scheme. For certain professions with a high demand on the labor market, so-called shortage occupations, as well as for young professionals who graduated from university less than three years ago, a lower salary limit of 45.3% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance applies.
For the year 2025, the minimum salary threshold for an EU Blue Card will be 48,300 euros gross per year or 4,025 euros gross per month. For shortage occupations, the salary threshold is 43,759.80 euros gross per year or 3,646.65 euros gross per month.
Special payments agreed in the employment contract, such as Christmas bonuses or vacation pay, can be added to the gross salary, provided they are specifically calculated and are not linked to conditions in the employment contract.
The reference value for the minimum salaries remains unchanged, which means that the salary thresholds are still uniform throughout Germany and apply equally in all federal states. The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs will announce the respective amounts for the following year by the end of the previous year in accordance with Section 18g (7) AufenthG.
Summary
The salary limit for the EU Blue Card in Germany remains the same throughout Germany and applies equally in all federal states. The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs sets the exact amounts by the end of the previous year. For the year 2025, the general salary limit is expected to be 48,300 euros gross per year, while a limit of 43,759.80 euros gross per year will apply for shortage occupations.
The EU Blue Card salary threshold for 2025 sets clear standards and supports the predictability of the integration of highly qualified skilled workers into the German labor market. Thanks to the nationally regulated minimum salary thresholds, it also ensures that skilled workers can work under the same conditions in every federal state. Further information on the issuing of the residence permit and the requirements can be found on our main page on the EU Blue Card.
The EU Blue Card not only gives qualified skilled workers from third countries a residence permit, but also the opportunity for long-term employment in Germany. After successful integration and a certain length of stay, a settlement permit can also be considered, which is a permanent residence permit in Germany. Find out more here.