EU Blue Card 2025: Employer Guide for IT Specialists in Germany

As Germany solidifies its standing as a tech innovation center, the Skilled Immigration Act, implemented in phases on November 18, 2023, March 1, 2024, and June 1, 2024, provides employers and HR teams a way to attract global IT talent. The EU Blue Card, now available to IT specialists with three years of experience instead of requiring only degrees, presents an opportunity to fill essential roles. This guide provides HR professionals and employers with the necessary details to support IT hires through the EU Blue Card process in Germany, covering eligibility, requirements, application steps, and more.

Understanding the German EU blue card for IT Specialists

The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for highly skilled non-EU professionals to live and work in Germany. For IT specialists, changes allow employers to sponsor employees with practical experience, eliminating the degree requirement. This change aligns with Germany’s aim to address its IT skills shortage, offering your company a direct way to onboard top talent.

The "Blaue Karte EU für IT-Fachkräfte Visum," as it is called in German, provides benefits such as competitive IT specialist’s salary in Germany, a pathway to long-term residency, and family reunification options. This makes it an appealing option for IT professionals seeking opportunities in Germany.

Eligibility for the IT Specialist Visa in Germany: what employers need to confirm

As an employer or HR professional, you need to verify that your IT employees meet these Blue Card criteria:

• Experience-Based Eligibility: Employees need at least three years of proven IT experience within the last seven years. Those with two years may qualify for a regular professional permit instead.
• Job Offer: Your company must provide a binding job offer or contract in Germany.
• Salary Requirement for Blue Card in Germany: The role must offer a minimum gross annual blue card salary of €43,759.80 as of 2025. This is a detail for employers to structure competitive offers. This also sets the Germany’s blue card salary threshold in 2025 for IT specialists.

These rules broaden your talent pool, making Germany a destination for IT recruitment.

Requirements employers must facilitate 

To sponsor an IT specialist for the EU Blue Card, employers need to ensure these requirements are met:

• Professional Experience: Employees must provide references or records showing three years of IT work. HR can assist by reviewing and validating these.
• Meeting the IT specialist’s salary threshold: The salary must be €43,759.80 or higher to comply with Blue Card rules for shortage occupations like IT.
• Job Relevance: The role must align with the employee’s IT expertise. Employers should ensure job descriptions reflect this.
• Health Insurance: Coordinate with employees to get valid health insurance (public/private or temporary travel insurance until employment begins).
• No Degree Needed: For IT roles, experience is accepted instead of formal education, simplifying hiring criteria.

Documents HR should help prepare 

HR teams and employers play a role in gathering and verifying these documents:

• Valid Passport: Ensure the employee’s passport is current.
• Job Contract/Offer: Provide a signed contract detailing salary (at least €43,759.80) and role.
• Proof of Experience: Collect references or certificates from employees showing three or more years of IT work. HR can standardize templates for consistency.
• Health Insurance Proof: Assist with enrollment or provide guidance on temporary coverage.
• Application Form: Support employees in completing the national visa for IT specialists Germany form (e.g., VIDEX).
• Biometric Photos: Advise on German visa photo standards.
• Optional: German language proof is not required, but can be a bonus for future residency. Employers might recommend language support.

Ensure translations are certified if documents are not in English or German.

Application process: employers’ and HR’s role 

Employers and HR can make the EU Blue Card process direct for IT hires with these steps:

• Offer a Qualifying Job: Create an IT role meeting the €43,759.80 blue card salary’s threshold.
• Assist with Documents: Help employees gather paperwork, especially the job contract and experience proof.
• Guide Visa Application: Direct employees to apply at their local German embassy or consulate via the Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal. Employers can provide a support letter if needed.
• Facilitate Appointments: Advise employees to book embassy appointments early and prepare for biometric data collection.
• Support Entry: Once the entry visa (national D visa) is issued, coordinate travel and onboarding timelines.
• Local Registration: Remind hires to register at the Meldebehörde within two weeks of arrival. HR can provide local contacts.
• Blue Card Finalization: Direct employees to the local Ausländerbehörde for the Blue Card. Employers can connect with the office to expedite the process.

Where to apply for the IT specialist EU Blue Card

• Outside Germany: Employees apply at their local German embassy or consulate. Find locations via the German Federal Foreign Office’s missions list. HR can share links to VIDEX for online forms.
• Inside Germany: For employees already in Germany (e.g., on a job-seeker visa), direct them to the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office). Use the BAMF Office Finder or city sites like Berlin Immigration Office.

Appointment details for employer coordination

• Embassy/Consulate: Employees book online or by phone. Employers should warn of potential wait times and encourage early scheduling.
• Ausländerbehörde: Post-arrival, HR can help secure appointments at the local office, ensuring employees bring all documents for biometrics.

Extending the IT specialist EU Blue Card in Germany

Renewing the EU Blue Card before expiry is important to maintain legal status and employment in Germany.

Eligibility for extension

To extend an EU Blue Card as an IT specialist in Germany, one must:

• Hold a valid or soon-to-expire EU Blue Card.
• Have a continuing employment contract or job offer in Germany requiring IT skills.
• Meet the minimum Germany’s blue card salary threshold applicable to IT specialists.
• Maintain valid health insurance coverage.
• Have a valid passport with at least three months validity beyond the intended stay.
• Reside legally in Germany and have proof of residence (Anmeldung).

Required documents for extension

When renewing an EU Blue Card, prepare these documents:

• Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond stay).
• Current EU Blue Card.
• Recent biometric passport photo.
• Proof of continued employment contract or job offer meeting salary requirements.
• Declaration of employment, signed by your employer.
• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Proof of residence registration in Germany (Anmeldung).

Additional documents may be requested by the local Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde).

Extension process

1. Book an Appointment: In Berlin, appointments are booked online via the official Foreigners' Office website. Due to demand, appointments may be limited; frequent checks are suggested. In other German cities, appointments are often made by contacting the local Foreigners' Office via email or phone, ideally three to five months before expiry.
2. Prepare Documents: Gather all required documents in original and copies as per the checklist.
3. Attend Appointment: Arrive 15–20 minutes early. Submit documents, biometric data, and pay the extension fee. The process usually takes about 1.5 hours.
4. Receive Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation letter stating your extension application is under process. This letter serves as a temporary residence permit for up to three months while awaiting the new card.
5. Wait for Processing: Processing time can be up to 90 days as per European regulations.
6. Receive New EU Blue Card: The renewed card is typically valid for up to four years or the duration of your employment contract plus three months, whichever is shorter.

Where to apply for extension

Apply for extension at the local Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) in your city of residence in Germany. Initial Blue Card applications from abroad are done via the German embassy or consulate and the Consular Services Portal, but extensions are handled locally.

Salary levels for IT specialists and the Blue Card in Germany

The blue card salary floor for IT specialists is €43,759.80 gross annually for 2025. This is lower than the €48,300 standard for other professions, reflecting IT’s shortage status. Employers must ensure fixed salaries meet this; bonuses do not count toward the minimum. This is directly related to the IT specialist’s salary and the salary requirement for blue card in Germany.

Processing time and fees for the IT specialist Visa in Germany and extension processing time: employer planning

• Visa Processing: Embassy approval takes four to six weeks. Employers should include this in onboarding timelines. Delays may occur if the Federal Employment Agency reviews the contract.
• Blue Card Issuance: The Ausländerbehörde issues the card in three to four weeks (maximum 90 days). HR can track progress with the office.

Fees for the application of EU Blue Card IT specialist

• Entry Visa: €75, paid at the embassy or consulate during the appointment.
• EU Blue Card: €100 for initial issuance (up to one year) or longer terms; renewals are €93–€96. These fees are paid at the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde).

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📌 Key points for EU Blue card IT specialist (Download)

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Conclusion

For employers and HR professionals, the EU Blue Card is a strategic tool to recruit IT specialists with 3+ years of experience. By offering a €43,759.80+ salary and guiding employees through embassy and Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) applications, your company can tap into global tech talent. Leverage this opportunity to build a skilled workforce in Germany—start by crafting compliant offers and supporting hires every step of the way! Discover more in our comprehensive overview of the Types of EU Blue card.