Germany

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment commensurate with their qualification with a duration of at least 6 months;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it);
• the third-country national and the employer have to assure that the employment is actually to be carried out.

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State. S/he may also be required to provide his/her address in that Member State.

Under certain conditions, also experienced non-academic applicants are eligible. Please check this page for the requirements. 

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the Member State concerned).

For 2024, Germany set the minimum salary threshold at:  45 300 EUR.

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

For professions in sectors where there are many unfilled vacancies, Member States may set a lower minimum salary threshold.

For 2024, Germany set the lower minimum salary threshold at 41 041,80 EUR.

The following professions are on the shortage list for Germany: Science and Engineering Professionals (Group 21 ISCO), Executives in production in the manufacturing of goods, mining and construction, logistics (Group 132 ISCO), Managers in Information - and communications technology services (Group 133 ISCO), Managers in the provision of special services (e.g. childcare, healthcare, Group 134 ISCO), Medical Doctors (Group 221 ISCO), Academic and comparable professionals in traditional and complementary medicine (Group 223 ISCO), Veterinarians (Group 226 ISCO), other academic and allied health professionals (e.g. Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Group 226 ISCO), Teachers (Group 23 ISCO) and Information and Communication Technology Professionals (Group 25 ISCO) (please see here). 

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States, this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

Germany does not apply a labour market test.

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Germany is: Four years.

Specific rules: In Germany, the EU Blue Card is issued for a maximum period of four years. If the employment contract or the approval by the Federal Employment Agency is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card shall be issued for or extended to the duration of the contract plus three months.

Short-term or long-term mobility to another Member State is possible for EU Blue Card holders.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee: Issued with a period of validity of up to one year: 100 EUR, issued with a period of validity of more than one year: 100 EUR.

Renewal up to 3 months: 96 EUR. Renewal for more than three months: 93 EUR. 

Fee for express issuance: 35 EUR.

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

European law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Germany is 90 days. 

Make it in Germany - EU Blue Card

Make it in Germany – Working, studying, living in Germany

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