Germany EU Blue Card Complete Guide: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply (2025)

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important aspects of the EU Blue Card in Germany:

Target Audience: This permit is for highly qualified individuals with a university degree or a comparable qualification who wish to work in Germany.

Job Requirement: The job offer you receive must relate to your qualifications and meet a specific minimum salary threshold.

Salary Thresholds: For most professions, the gross annual salary needs to be at least €48,300. For jobs in shortage occupations, such as IT, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, and healthcare, the threshold is lower, at €43,759.80 (as of 2025).

Validity: Typically, the EU Blue Card is valid for a maximum of four years. Its duration can be shorter if your work contract is for a limited period.

Advantages:The EU Blue Card provides several advantages. It offers easier access to permanent residency (a settlement permit) after working in Germany for a specific time. It also simplifies mobility within the EU after 12 months of holding a Blue Card in one member state.

Application: You typically apply for the EU Blue Card at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany. However, an entry visa might be necessary beforehand, especially if you are applying from outside Germany and your nationality requires it.

Recognition of Foreign Degrees: Foreign university degrees must be recognized or considered comparable to German degrees. The Anabin database provides important information for this process.

Non-Academic Qualifications:In some cases, non-academic qualifications, like those of a master craftsman or certain IT professionals with substantial experience, can also qualify for the EU Blue Card.

What is an EU Blue Card in Germany?

The German EU Blue Card is a special residence permit designed for international professionals looking for qualified work in the European Union, and it also applies to Germany. This permit aims to address skill shortages across Europe’s job markets, simplify administrative processes, and improve alignment within the EU. It's a pathway for highly skilled non-EU nationals to live and work in Germany.

What are the benefits of the EU Blue Card?

Holding an EU Blue Card in Germany offers a range of advantages for skilled professionals and their families.

Visa-free travel within the EU: You can travel visa-free within the EU for up to 90 days. Keep in mind, though, this doesn't apply to working in other EU countries if you hold a German EU Blue Card.
Faster path to permanent residency: You can apply for a permanent residence permit sooner than with other permits. This is possible after 21 months if you have a B1 German language certificate and have paid into German pension insurance. Without a B1 certificate, you can apply after 33 months with an A1 language certificate.
Easier family relocation: Bringing family members is simpler. Requirements like proving sufficient living space are waived. Spouses can also work in Germany without restrictions and don't need to prove German language skills to get a residence permit.
No German language requirements for applicants: As the main applicant for the EU Blue Card, you don't need to show German language skills.
Simplified mobility within the EU: Moving to another EU country for a job becomes a more straightforward process.
Extended stay outside the EU: Holders can stay outside the EU for up to 12 consecutive months without losing their Blue Card. However, it's important to keep your address registered and maintain an unterminated employment contract (remote work is allowed). These factors can affect the time counted towards a permanent residence permit.

Validity of EU Blue Card

Generally, the EU Blue Card is valid for up to 4 years. There are a few exceptions:

Passport validity: If your passport expires before the 4-year period, your EU Blue Card will be issued with the same expiration date as your passport.
Limited work contract: If your work contract is for a specific duration, your EU Blue Card will be valid until that contract ends. In some cases, you can extend its validity while in Germany.

Who is eligible for the EU Blue Card?

To get an EU Blue Card in Germany, you generally need to be a highly qualified professional. Here's who qualifies:

Professionals with a recognized university degree.
Qualified professionals with tertiary education equal to a university degree.
Professionals in shortage occupations.
Recent university graduates (career starters) with a recognized degree.
IT Specialists, even those without a recognized degree.

What types of the Blue Card EU are available in Germany?

Germany offers several types of the EU Blue Card to cater to different professions and career stages. Understanding these variations is a crucial part of knowing what is a blue card in Germany

Type of EU Blue Card	Who It is Meant for
EU Blue Card for Professionals (Standard EU Blue Card)	For professionals in fields like engineering, medicine, or science who hold a relevant degree and are seeking a stable career in Germany.
EU Blue Card for Skilled Workers / Shortage Occupations (Mint Blue Card)	For professionals in fields where Germany has a skills gap, such as healthcare or teaching.
EU Blue Card for Career Starters (Young Professional EU Blue Card)	Ideal for recent university graduates who obtained their degree within the last three years and are looking to begin their careers in Germany.
EU Blue Card for IT Specialists	For tech professionals who may not have a formal university degree but possess significant work experience in the IT sector.

Each type comes with specific eligibility criteria and advantages. The primary distinctions often relate to the required salary threshold and the necessity of a university degree.

What are the EU Blue Card requirements?

The requirements for an EU Blue Card in Germany vary slightly depending on the specific category you fall into. Here's a breakdown:

General requirements for all EU Blue Card types

Job Offer: You need an employment contract or a binding job offer in Germany.
Period of Employment: The job offer must be for at least 6 months.‍
Salary: Your employment in Germany must provide a salary that allows you to support yourself. Specific minimums apply.

Detailed requirements by category

1. Requirements for EU Blue Card with a recognized academic degree

Area	Requirements
Higher Education Proof	You must hold a German or foreign university degree.
Degree and Employment Relation	Your job must be appropriate to your qualification.
Salary	As of 2025, the gross annual salary must be at least €48,300.

2 - EU Blue Card requirements for IT-specialists

Area	Requirement
Work Experience	You need at least three years of proven work experience in the last seven years.
Experience and Employment Relation	Your experience must be relevant to the job.
Salary	As of 2025, the gross annual salary needs to be at least €43,759.80.

3 - Requirements for EU Blue Card with employment in a shortage occupation

Area	Requirement
Higher Education Proof	You should hold a German or foreign university degree recognized in Germany.
Degree and Employment Relation	Your job must be appropriate to your qualification.
Salary	For shortage occupations, a lower minimum gross annual salary of €43,759.80 (as of 2025) may qualify you, provided the Federal Employment Agency approves your employment.
Shortage Occupations	Managers in manufacturing, mining, construction, and distribution IT service managers Managers in childcare, healthcare, and education Academic STEM professionals Experts in architecture, spatial and transport planning Medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists, and pharmacists Nursing and midwifery professionals Teachers and educators

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4 - EU Blue Card requirements for career starters

Area	Requirement
Higher Education Proof	You should hold a German or foreign university degree recognized in Germany.
Degree and Employment Relation	Your job must be appropriate to your qualification.
Degree Acquisition Date	Your university degree must be no older than three years by the time you apply.
Salary	As of 2025, the gross annual salary needs to be at least €43,759.80.

Application process for the EU Blue Card in Germany

1 Step 1: Confirm the equivalence of the degree	You must prove that your higher education qualification meets the required German standard
2 Step 2: Book an appointment for a visa appointment	Depending on the embassy, booking an appointment is required before you can submit your application.
3 Step 3: Put together the documentation pack	You’ll need to assemble all the generally required documents for the application.
4 Alternatively to step 2 and 3: Apply for a national visa online	Check if the specific embassy offers an online application option for a national visa.
5 Step 5: Submit the visa application with additional documents	Attend your scheduled embassy appointment and submit all necessary documents.
6 Step 6: Attend biometric data collection	You'll provide fingerprints and other biometric data as part of the application process.
7 Step 7: Await visa processing	The visa application will be reviewed, and you'll wait for a decision. This step addresses the question of how long does it take to get EU Blue Card in Germany. The processing time can vary.
8 Step 8: Receive visa approval	Once approved, you'll get your visa documentation.
9 Step 9: Plan travel and accommodation	The applicant should arrange travel and lodging before relocating.
10 Step 10: Enter the destination country	You must enter Germany within the visa’s validity period.
11 Step 11: Register with local authorities	After arriving, you must register with the local immigration office.
12 Step 12: Apply for a residence permit	If applicable, you must apply for a residence permit within a set timeframe.
13 Step 13: Finalize integration steps	This includes opening a bank account, obtaining a tax number, and other administrative tasks.

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How long does it take to get an EU Blue Card in Germany?

The processing time for an EU Blue Card in Germany can vary. After submitting your application and biometric data, you will need to await a decision. It's important to plan ahead, as processing times can depend on the embassy and individual circumstances.

What is the minimum salary for the EU Blue Card Germany in 2025?

For 2025, the salary is €45,552 (standard) or €43,759.80 for shortage occupations like IT or healthcare.

Do I need German language skills for the EU Blue Card?

No, as the main applicant for the EU Blue Card, you do not need to prove German language skills. However, if you want to apply for a permanent residence permit earlier (after 21 months instead of 33), you will need a B1 German language certificate

Can I bring my family with an EU Blue Card in Germany?

Yes, holding an EU Blue Card in Germany allows you to bring your spouse and children. Requirements like proving sufficient living space are waived, and spouses can work in Germany without restrictions, not needing to prove German language skills for their residence permit.