EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card - a residence permit for highly qualified workers
Since August 1, 2012, employees and university graduates have had the opportunity to acquire a special residence permit, the so-called EU Blue Card. The aim of this residence permit is to promote and facilitate the permanent immigration of highly qualified workers from outside the EU to Germany. The legal basis for who can live and work in Germany with a Blue Card is regulated in Section 18g of the Residence Act.
The requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card
To obtain an EU Blue Card and be able to work in Germany, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold an accredited college degree,
- have an employment contract or a concrete job offer,
- the employment must be appropriate to the qualification,
- the minimum salary threshold must be met,
- and, if applicable, you must have a license to practice the profession.
However, there is one important exception to this: IT specialists can obtain an EU Blue Card even without a degree. However, they must have gained at least three years of relevant professional experience in the past seven years and be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge at the level of university graduates. We explain more about this special regulation here.
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University degrees
In principle, both German and foreign degrees can be sufficient for applying for an EU Blue Card.
- German university degree
A university degree completed in Germany is generally sufficient. - Foreign university degree
A foreign degree may also be sufficient for the application, provided it is either recognized or comparable to a German university degree.
The extent to which a foreign university degree is recognized in Germany can be checked in the online database of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
In the event that the online database does not contain sufficient information, the applicant must apply to the ZAB for an individual evaluation of the degree, which is subject to a fee (so-called comparability with German university degree).
Further information on the recognition and equivalence of foreign university degrees can be found at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. Unfortunately, problems can often arise when determining the equivalence or recognition of a university degree obtained abroad, which may delay or prevent the process of applying for this residence permit.
Completed training in a specific profession is generally not sufficient to obtain an EU Blue Card. Only IT specialists can obtain a Blue Card under the exception mentioned above if they have the necessary professional experience in addition to their training. Nevertheless, even people who have completed training are generally considered to be skilled workers. You can find out which residence permit is suitable for you here.
Employment contract or concrete contract offer
You can only apply for an EU Blue Card if you have a domestic employment contract or a concrete offer of such a contract. In practice, this point can be proven either by presenting your employment contract or, if you only have a concrete offer of a job, by a confirmation from the company. It is important to note that the employment must take place in Germany. In addition, the offer of an employment contract must provide for a period of employment of at least six months.
Qualification-appropriate employment:
Link between university degree and job for an EU Blue Card
For the EU Blue Card, your education and the job must be related. Whether the job is appropriate for your qualifications does not depend on the salary level; the minimum salary for the EU Blue Card is set by law.
In the case of non-regulated professions, employment is considered appropriate to the professional qualification for the granting of an EU Blue Card - irrespective of the subject area of your university degree - if it usually requires an academic degree and the knowledge acquired during your studies is used at least partially or indirectly. For example:
- A doctor with a university degree who works in a non-regulated profession in a pharmaceutical company.
- A graduate of a chemistry course takes on a managerial role in another scientific, mathematical or commercial profession at an academic level.
- A cultural scientist who works in event management.
Minimum salary EU Blue Card
In order to obtain an EU Blue Card, the annual gross salary of your job in 2025 must be at least 48,300 euros. You can find more information on this salary limit here.
For certain professions that are in particularly high demand in Germany (shortage occupations), a lower limit of currently (2025) at least 43,759.80 euros applies. The same limit also applies to young professionals who have obtained their university degree within the last three years before applying for the EU Blue Card. This is intended to make it easier for them to enter working life.
In the past, the qualification obtained with the degree also had to correspond to the desired employment. However, the legislator has now abolished this linking of employment to the degree in order to do justice to the flexibility of modern working life. Skilled workers can now work in any job.
List of shortage occupations
- Specialists in information and communication technology
- Architects
- Designer
- Doctors (incl. dentists and veterinarians)
- Physiotherapists
- Engineers and engineering scientists
- Mathematician
- Scientist
- Teacher
- Spatial, urban and traffic planners
- Managers in production, construction and logistics
- Managers in the healthcare sector
Professional practice
If a permit is required for practicing a profession under German law (e.g. medicine, engineering), the applicant must provide evidence of the existence of this permit or its approval before the EU Blue Card is issued.
General conditions for granting
In addition to all these special requirements, you must also be able to provide evidence of some general requirements that must always be met in order to be issued a residence permit. This includes, for example, that you can prove your identity, for example with a valid passport or other documents if necessary. You must also be able to prove that you have health insurance in Germany.
Authority competence
The EU Blue Card can be applied for within Germany at the local immigration office. Depending on which country you come from, you may need a visa to enter Germany. Once you have entered the country, you can apply for the EU Blue Card at the relevant immigration office.
A visa is not required for entry to the following countries: USA, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Israel and New Zealand. Citizens from these countries can enter the country without a visa.
If you live outside the EU and do not come from the above countries, you usually need a visa for the purpose of gainful employment. This is issued to you by the relevant German mission abroad. With this visa you can enter Germany and apply for the EU Blue Card at the foreigners authority responsible for you. It is important to note that you must apply for the EU Blue Card before your visa expires.
Skilled workers who have held an EU Blue Card in another EU member state for at least 12 months can also enter Germany without a visa in order to apply for an EU Blue Card. In this case, the EU Blue Card must be applied for within one month of entering Germany.
People who already have a valid residence permit can also apply for an EU Blue Card. Of course, they do not need a visa either, as they are already in Germany.
Advantage of the accelerated skilled worker procedure
You can apply for an EU Blue Card using the so-called accelerated procedure for skilled workers. The accelerated procedure for skilled workers ensures that appointments are made more quickly at the German diplomatic mission abroad so that you receive your visa more quickly and, if necessary, includes the recognition procedure for a foreign qualification.
Advantages of the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card opens up many opportunities. Holders of this residence permit have very easy access to the German labor market, with the same rights and obligations as German employees, and can live in Germany without any further requirements. While they are working in Germany, they can travel freely within the EU in their free time.
One of the main advantages of the EU Blue Card is that it enables a quick transition to a settlement permit permit. This means that you can quickly consolidate your stay in Germany - because the settlement permit is issued as an permanent residence permit issued. It allows you to settle permanently in Germany and to live and work here. With the EU Blue Card, it is possible to apply for a settlement permit after just 21 months of residence, provided you can prove that you have German language level B1. And even if you only have a basic knowledge of German (level A1), you can still apply for a settlement permit after 27 months.
In addition to working, you can also bring your close family (children, spouse, parents of both you and your spouse) to join you as part of family reunification. You can find details on the topic of family reunification in our FAQ.
No approval from the Federal Employment Agency
The Federal Employment Agency must carry out a labor market check, which basically consists of the so-called priority check (checking whether German employees or employees with equivalent status - e.g. from EU member states - are available for the job) and checking the employment conditions.
However, if the annual gross income is at least 48,300 euros, i.e. the general salary limit for the EU Blue Card, approval from the Federal Employment Agency is not required. This means that only employees in shortage occupations or career starters require the agency's approval.
What documents are needed for the application?
- Copy of passport
- Biometric passport photo
- Copy of your original university degree
- Copy of the English translation of your university degree
- Resume
- Letter of intent or employment contract from a company in Germany (incl. detailed job description)
If applicable, you will also need:
- Copy of your spouse's passport
- Biometric passport photo of your spouse
- Copy of the marriage certificate
- Translated version of the marriage certificate
- Copy of your child's passport
- Copy of your child's birth certificate
Regional differences in the application for the EU Blue Card
The formal requirements for applying for an EU Blue Card vary in practice, depending on where in Germany the EU Blue Card is applied for. The legal requirements are the same, but the forms, the required documents and the method of submitting the application may differ.
In our overview, you will find the practical requirements for the cities of Berlin, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart with further notes.
You can find all the information about applying abroad and the country-specific practical requirements for the United Kingdom, South Africa, India and China here.
The EU Blue Card after Brexit
British professionals will also have the opportunity to apply for an EU Blue Card for Germany after January 01, 2021. Learn more about the possibilities and potential of the EU Blue Card for British nationals here.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Blue Card (FAQ)
What happens if I lose my job as an EU Blue Card holder? (Termination of the employment relationship)
Your employer gives you notice or you have to leave your job for other reasons and you can't find a new job straight away - what now? In the event that you are dismissed by your employer, you have three months to find a new job. If you are unable to do so, there is a risk that your Blue Card will be revoked and you will have to leave Germany again.
In principle, the EU Blue Card is only issued for the purpose of employment. This means that if you lose your job, the basis for your Blue Card also disappears. However, the EU Directive on the EU Blue Card stipulates in Art. 8 Para. 5 that temporary unemployment does not lead directly to the loss of the Blue Card. A total of up to three months of unemployment is irrelevant. If you have already held your Blue Card for at least two years, then even up to six months of temporary unemployment are harmless. However, if you are unable to find a new job during this time, your Blue Card may be revoked. In this case, however, you may be able to obtain a residence permit to look for a job instead. instead.
If you have found a new job, you must comply with the rules on changing jobs with the EU Blue Card, which we have summarized summarized for you here have summarized for you here.
A termination or change of employment also entails certain obligations for employers vis-à-vis the local immigration authority. For example, employers are obliged to inform the foreigners authority within four weeks of the premature termination of the employment relationship if the residence permit for this employment has been issued. Violations of the notification obligation can be punished with a fine of up to 30,000 euros .
From an employment law perspective, you may be able to claim severance pay from your employer as a result of your dismissal. Find out more about severance pay following dismissal here.
What counts towards the gross salary for the salary threshold for an EU Blue Card?
In principle, certain additional payments can be included in the gross basic salary. These payments count towards the minimum salary if the supplements are firmly agreed in the employment contract and are not dependent on certain conditions being met. Not every salary component is clear from the outset and requires individual examination in case of doubt.
What is the period of validity of an EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is usually issued for four years, unless the employment contract is shorter than four years. In this case, the EU Blue Card is valid for the duration of the employment contract plus three months, but never longer than four years. The EU Blue Card can be extended before it expires, provided you still meet all the requirements for an EU Blue Card.
What is the minimum salary for obtaining an EU Blue Card?
There are two minimum salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card that must be met in order to obtain an EU Blue Card. The basic salary limit for 2025 is an annual gross salary of 48,300 euros. For so-called shortage occupations, the lower salary limit in 2025 is 43,759.80 euros. Find out more about minimum salary limits here.
Can I apply for a settlement permit with an EU Blue Card?
Yes, you can! With a Blue Card, it is even easier for you to obtain a settlement permit, which allows you to stay in Germany permanently for an unlimited period of time, than for holders of other residence permits. This is because, as a rule, you must have been in Germany for at least five years in order to be granted a permanent residence permit, and a residence period of at least three years also applies to skilled workers. However, if you have an EU Blue Card, you can obtain a settlement permit with basic German language skills at level A1 you can obtain a settlement permit after just 27 months. If you have German language skills at level B1, this period of residence is reduced by a further six months to just 21 months. There is no faster way to obtain a settlement permit under German law.
If you are granted a settlement permit as a Blue Card holder, this offers advantages not only for you, but also advantages for your spouse. This is because, in accordance with § Section 9 (3a) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) also apply for a settlement permit themselvesafter just three years of residence. However, the prerequisite for this is that your spouse works at least 20 hours per week.
In order to be granted a settlement permit, you must also meet a number of other requirements. You can find out what these are on our main page on the settlement permit.
Do I need prior approval from the Federal Employment Agency for my EU Blue Card?
If the job offer you have received only meets the lower salary threshold for shortage occupations and young professionals, you must first obtain approval for your EU Blue Card from the Federal Employment Agency. No approval is required for all employees whose salary is also above the general (higher) salary threshold, even if they work in a shortage occupation or are career starters. Here you can find the salary limits for the Blue Card for 2025.
Will I lose my EU Blue Card if I stay abroad for a longer period of time?
1. extended period of stay abroad for holders of the EU Blue Card:
- Normally, a residence permit expires in accordance with Section 51 (1) no. 7 AufenthG if the holder has been abroad for more than six months without interruption.
- However, an extended period of up to twelve months applies to EU Blue Card holders and their family members (Section 51 (10) AufenthG). This means that they can stay abroad for up to one year without their residence permit expiring.
2. application to settlement permits pursuant to Section 18c (2) AufenthG:
- The twelve-month period also applies to foreigners who have received a settlement permit pursuant to 18c (2) AufenthG.
- It is therefore important that the correct legal basis is entered in the electronic residence permit when the settlement permit is issued.
3. principles for stays abroad:
- Since Section 51 (10) AufenthG only extends the time limit, the previous rules from Section 51 (1) (7) AufenthG apply accordingly, but with the proviso that the time limit is 12 months instead of 6 months.
- According to the Federal Administrative Court (judgment of 11.12.2012, BVerwG 1 C 15/11), stays abroad are harmless if they are limited in time and do not result in a significant change in living conditions in Germany.
- It is important that the absence is uninterrupted Several shorter stays abroad are not added together and do not lead to the expiry of the residence permit as long as the 12-month period is not exceeded.
4. abuse through repeated short entries:
- However, if there are several trips abroad and the reasons for the absence are not only temporary, the right of residence may expire in accordance with 51 (1) no. 6 AufenthG.
- The practice of entering Germany only briefly shortly before the 12 months expire in order to obtain the residence title does not prevent the title from expiring.
5. extension to 24 months for certain persons:
- For holders of an EU permanent residence permit who previously had an EU Blue Card and their family members, the period is extended to 24 months (Section 51 (9) no. 3 AufenthG).
To summarize:
- EU Blue Card holders and their family members can stay abroad for up to 12 months without their residence permit expiring.
- Several short stays abroad are not added together and do not lead to the loss of the title, provided the trips are temporary and the center of life remains in Germany.
- Abuse through regular short entries in order to circumvent the time limit is not permitted and can lead to the expiry of the residence permit.
- The period is extended to 24 months for certain persons with EU permanent residence.
Important:
These regulations are intended to ensure that holders of the EU Blue Card and comparable titles have their center of life in Germany and do not permanently move it abroad without their residence title expiring. Every situation is unique, so we are happy to help you with an individual legal assessment.
Can I change jobs with an EU Blue Card?
Yes, with the EU Blue Card, changing jobs is easier than with almost any other residence permit for gainful employment. If you have a Blue Card and change your job, you do not even need permission from the immigration authorities. According to § Section 82 (1) sentence 6 AufenthG you only have the obligation to inform the immigration authority about your change. To comply with this obligation, it is best to send the authority the notice of termination from your old job, the employment contract for your new job, including a detailed job description, and a declaration of employment completed by your new employer. The obligation to notify applies only within the first yearin which you are employed with your EU Blue Card. After that, you are no longer obliged to notify a change of job. A change in your place of work does not cause the year does not start anew.
Within the first year of your employment with the EU Blue Card, the immigration authority can suspend your planned job change and reject it within 30 days of the suspensionif the new job does not fulfill all requirements of the Blue Card requirements. In this case, instead of the Blue Card, you may be issued a another residence permit for example a residence permit for skilled workers with an academic education in accordance with § 18b AufenthG.
At the end of the first year rejection of your change of employment by the foreigners authority is no longer possible - even if your new job does not meet all the requirements, for example because your new salary is below the salary threshold is below the salary threshold. Your Blue Card will still be valid for the entire period for which it was originally issued. However, an extension beyond this period could be problematic.
Are German language skills required to obtain the EU Blue Card?
No, unlike other residence permits, no German language skills are required to obtain an EU Blue Card. This applies to both the applicant and their family.
If you can demonstrate language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you can apply for a permanent work and residence permit after just 21 months with an EU Blue Card. However, language skills are not mandatory. Without language skills, the waiting period for the possibility of applying for a permanent work and residence permit is extended to 27 months.
Do I need an entry visa for Germany to apply for the EU Blue Card?
Can my family accompany me as an EU Blue Card holder?
Yes, the (nuclear) family can accompany you. As a holder of a Blue Card, you can not only bring your children not yet of age and your spouse to come to Germany with you, but also your parents. If your spouse also lives in Germany, you can even bring their parents, i.e. your parents-in-lawto join you. This regulation was introduced with the Skilled Immigration Act of 2023 and only applies to holders of a Blue Card who received it in March 2024 or later.
Family reunification for holders of an EU Blue Card is also subject to less stringent requirements. In this case, according to § Section 29 (5) AufenthG you do not have to be able to prove that there is sufficient living space for you and your family members. In addition, your spouse is also § 30 para. 1 sentence 3 no. 5 AufenthG exempts your spouse from having to prove knowledge of the German language. This means that you can bring both your spouse and your children to Germany even if neither of them speaks German, if neither of them speaks German. In addition, your family members may work in Germany work without restriction and even become self-employed. And as a rule, they should be entitled to take part in an integration course. You can find more information on this on the BAMF website.
Family reunification can also be applied for as part of the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, which has the advantage that the processing time for the application is the same for you and your family. You can enter Germany together.
Can I travel within the EU with an EU Blue Card?
Yes, holders of an EU Blue Card are permitted to travel to other Schengen states within the EU for tourism purposes without a visa. You can travel to Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland for 90 days within a 180-day period. As a rule, it is not possible to take up employment outside Germany without a corresponding residence permit.
After you have stayed in Germany for one year with your EU Blue Card, you can leave at any time to another EU member state at any time in order to obtain a Blue Card and work there. and work there. After entering this other EU country, you must submit an application for a Blue Card to the immigration authorities there as soon as possible, at the latest within one month. In order to obtain this, you must fulfill the requirements of that country for the issue of an EU Blue Cardbut this should not usually be a problem, as you have already fulfilled the requirements in Germany.
