Applying for an EU Blue Card for highly qualified employment

Highly qualified foreign nationals who wish to pursue employment in Germany that is commensurate with their qualifications can obtain an EU Blue Card.

  • Exception: Citizens of EU member states have access to the labour market due to their right to freedom of movement. They can be self-employed or employed in Germany under the right of establishment or the freedom of movement for workers.
    This also applies to other nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals.

You can obtain the EU Blue Card for a maximum of four years when it is first issued.
If your employment contract has a duration of less than four years, you will receive the EU Blue Card for the duration of the employment contract plus three months.

Please note: The foreigners authority must be notified of the change of job during the first twelve months of employment. This authority can suspend the change of job for 30 days and reject it within this period if the requirements for the issue of an EU Blue Card are not met.

Holders of an EU Blue Card can obtain a settlement permit if they

  • have been employed for at least 33 months,
  • have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or another pension scheme with comparable benefits for this period and fulfil the following additional requirements:
    • Their livelihood is secured.
    • Your stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
    • You are allowed to pursue gainful employment and have all the necessary permits.
    • You have a basic knowledge of German and a basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
    • They have sufficient living space for themselves and their family.

Anyone who can prove language skills at level B1 and fulfils the other requirements can obtain a settlement permit after just 21 months of employment and payment of contributions.

Related forms and processes

Prerequisite

The requirements for the EU Blue Card are

  • You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
    For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
  • You will receive an annual salary of at least EUR 48,300 For certain professions (so-called bottleneck professions), a minimum salary of EUR 43.759.80 These include scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors, IT specialists, managers in production in the manufacture of goods, in mining and construction and in logistics, managers in the provision of specialised services, managers in the provision of information and communication technology services, academic and comparable nursing and midwifery staff, other academic and allied health professionals and teachers
  • The minimum salary of EUR 43,759.80 also applies if a university degree was obtained no more than three years before applying for the EU Blue Card.
  • The minimum salary of EUR 43,759.80 for bottleneck occupations, otherwise EUR 48,300, also applies to skilled workers, who have successfully completed a tertiary education programme equivalent to a university degree and requiring at least three years of training, if the qualification corresponds to a level of education which in the Federal Republic of Germany is assigned to at least level 6 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011) or level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework.
  • The minimum salary of EUR 43,759.80 also applies toIT specialists if they do not have a university degree but can demonstrate at least three years of comparable professional experience.
  • There are no grounds for deportation against you.
  • Your stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • You have
    • a German,
    • a recognised foreign or
    • a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree or
    • successfully completed a tertiary education programme that is equivalent to a university degree and provides for at least three years of training, or
    • at least three years of comparable professional experience (applies exclusively to IT specialists).
      The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs may, by statutory order, determine professions in which a qualification proven by at least five years of professional experience is equivalent to a university degree.
  • You have a job that corresponds to your qualifications or a specific job offer that corresponds to your qualifications.
  • The Federal Employment Agency agrees to issue the residence title (only in cases where approval is required).

Responsible department

  • for the issue of a national visa before entering Germany: the German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
  • after entering Germany: the foreigners authority in whose district you usually reside;
    is, depending on your place of residence, the city administration or the district administration.

The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German representations abroad on its website.

Standard port

Select a location to display the responsible office.

Procedure

Before travelling to Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country. If necessary, the representation of the Federal Republic of Germany will involve the relevant immigration authority. In the visa procedure, you must provide information about your job in Germany. This enables the authority to check whether the Federal Employment Agency has to approve your employment.

After entering Germany, you must apply for a residence permit in writing to the immigration authority before your visa or previous residence permit expires. Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the municipal administration or the district office.

Please note: The foreigners authority will obtain the approval of the Federal Employment Agency if this is required.

Please note that the accelerated procedure for skilled workers in accordance with Section 81a of the Residence Act can be carried out at this point.

You will receive the residence permit in the form of a cheque card with additional electronic functions.

You can find more information on this under"Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

Deadlines

none

Required documents

  • Proof of fulfilment of passport and visa requirements
  • Proof of minimum salary
  • Proof of your university degree
  • Proof of employment or job offer
  • Proof that there is no interest in deporting you
  • Proof that you do not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany

Costs

  • Period of validity up to one year: EUR 100.00
  • Period of validity over one year: EUR 100.00
  • Extension for up to three months: EUR 96.00
  • Extension for more than three months: EUR 93.00

Processing time

Processing usually takes four to eight weeks.

Miscellaneous

none

Appeal

  • Objection
  • Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG):

  • § 5 Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen
  • § 18g Blaue Karte EU
  • § 81a Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren
  • § 39 Zustimmung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV):

  • § 45 Gebühr

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 08.01.2025