Is there a green card in Germany?
Would you like to move to Germany and settle here, but can't for the life of you find where you can apply for a green card?
The reason for this is simple: Germany does not issue green cards. However, there are a number of other residence permits that could be suitable for you. We will introduce you to the most important ones in the following sections.
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The German Green Card is called the EU Blue Card
The first alternative to the Green Card that you should consider is the EU Blue Card. Apart from the obvious similarities in the name, the benefits of the EU Blue Card are also comparable to those of a typical green card, such as those available in the USA. This is because, like a green card, the EU Blue Card can be the starting point for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Germany. in Germany. Holders of an EU Blue Card can obtain a permanent settlement permit just 21 months after entering Germany, provided they have a sufficient command of the German language. However, even with basic German language skills, they can apply for a settlement permit after just 27 months.
The prerequisite for applying for an EU Blue Card is a university degree recognized in Germany. university degree and a a concrete job offerthat exceeds a certain salary limit exceeds a certain salary limit. For IT specialists there is an exception: they can obtain an EU Blue Card even if they do not have a university degree, provided they can instead demonstrate at least three years of relevant professional experience in the past seven years and extensive theoretical knowledge.
Further details on the EU Blue Card, such as the exact salary threshold required to apply, can be found here.
Settlement permit
The settlement permit is probably most similar to the typical green card programs. It grants its holder the indefinite and permanent right to live and work in Germany. This is a major advantage as it eliminates the need for regular visits to your local immigration office and offers stability and planning security for the future.
However, you can only apply for and receive a settlement permit if you have been in possession of a regular temporary residence permit for some time for some time. Exactly how long your previous stay must be depends on what type of residence permit you had, but it can be between 21 months (for holders of an EU Blue Card with sufficient knowledge of German) and five years.
You can find a comprehensive list of all the requirements you need to fulfill in order to obtain a settlement permit here.
Other visa types
In addition to the EU Blue Card and the settlement permit, there are a number of other residence permits that are equivalent to a typical Green Card. For example, you can obtain ane opportunity card with which you can stay in Germany for up to one year in Germany for up to one year to look for a suitable job offer. If you already have such an offer, but an EU Blue Card is still not an option for you, you can also apply for another residence permit for gainful employment for gainful employment. The same applies if you prefer to work independently and would like to set up or expand your own business. You can find a comprehensive overview of the various residence permits for gainful employment here.
If one or more of your close family members already live in Germany or have applied for a visa here, you may also be eligible for a residence permit within the framework of family reunification as a Green Card replacement for you. The requirements for a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification vary slightly depending on the type of residence permit your family member holds. To check which requirements apply in your case, click here.
How our lawyers can help you
Even if there is no green card system in Germany card system in Germany, there are numerous opportunities for people from abroad, here work here and eventually settle down. The large selection of residenceitles often makes it difficult for applicantsthe right title for their individual situation. This is where our experienced team of lawyers comes in. We show you your options onaccompany you through the entire process and take over the complete communication with the immigration authoritiesso that you can start your new life with your Green Card replacement as quickly and smoothly as possible.
FAQ on the EU Blue Card:
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.
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 2024.
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 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.
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 agreed in the employment contract and are not dependent on the occurrence of certain conditions. Not every salary component is clear from the outset and requires individual examination in case of doubt.
Can I change jobs with an EU Blue Card?
It is generally possible for holders of an EU Blue Card to change jobs. However, in the first year of your employment, you must report any change of employer to the immigration authority. The authority then has the option of suspending the change and checking within 30 days whether it is permissible. If the authority allows this period to elapse or does not respond to your notification at all, the change is automatically deemed permissible. After one year, you can change your job without the approval of the immigration authority. However, the basic requirements, such as the minimum salary, must still be met.
What happens if I lose my job as an EU Blue Card holder? (Termination of the employment relationship)
In case you are dismissed by your employer, you have three months to find a new job. If you do not succeed, there is a risk that your Blue Card will be revoked and you will have to leave Germany again.
The EU Blue Card is generally linked to the employment contract. The immigration authority must therefore be informed immediately of any changes to the employment relationship. It can then suspend the intended job change for 30 days in order to examine it carefully. If the immigration authority determines that the change is permissible or does not come to a final conclusion within the 30 days, the change can take place as desired.
However, this regulation only applies to job changes that take place within the first year after the EU Blue Card has been issued. If a change is to take place after the end of the first year, the immigration authority can no longer refuse it. It is automatically valid. However, the new job should also meet the requirements for an EU Blue Card.
A termination or change of employment also entails certain obligations for employers vis-à-vis the local immigration authority.
Employers are obliged to inform the immigration authorities within four weeks of the premature termination of an employment relationship if the residence permit was issued for this employment. Violations of the notification obligation can be punished with a fine of up to 30,000 euros .
If the employment relationship is terminated, the original purpose of residence also expires, meaning that the EU Blue Card can subsequently be limited in time. However, after consultation with the immigration authorities, the residence permit can be extended for up to six months for job-seeking purposes.
From an employment law perspective, you may be able to claim severance pay from your employer. Find out more about severance pay after dismissal here.
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.
Do I need an entry visa for Germany to apply for the EU Blue Card?
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.