EU Blue Card; Application

The EU Blue Card was introduced on August 1, 2012 specifically for the immigration of highly qualified persons for the purpose of employment.

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that largely corresponds to a residence permit and for this reason the regulations applicable to the residence permit must also be applied as a rule.

The EU Blue Card can be issued to foreigners who have completed a university degree. If it is not a German university degree, the degree must either have been recognized or be comparable to a German university degree. Recognition or determination of comparability can also take place before entry to Germany.

The second requirement is an employment contract or a binding job offer with a certain minimum salary. The minimum salary threshold is set annually and can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (see "Related links"). In 2023 it will be EUR 58,400. The EU Blue Card can be issued without the consent of the Federal Employment Agency if the salary limit is reached.

A lower income limit has been set for shortage occupations (in particular scientists, engineers, doctors, academic IT specialists). This will be EUR 45,552 in 2023. In these cases, however, the Federal Employment Agency checks whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees.

The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence permit that is initially limited to a maximum of four years for permanent employment relationships. If the duration of the employment relationship is less than four years, the EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months. In the first two years, written permission from the immigration authority is required to change jobs.

The EU Blue Card must be applied for at the relevant immigration authority.

A foreigner is issued an EU Blue Card if

• they hold a German, a recognized foreign or a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree
• the employment corresponds to the qualification
• the Federal Employment Agency has given its consent or it has been determined that the EU Blue Card can be issued without the consent of the Federal Employment Agency, and
• he/she receives a certain minimum salary, which is determined by statutory order.

An EU Blue Card will not be issued to a foreigner

• if - he/she is staying in an EU Member State on the basis of an application for refugee status or for subsidiary protection,
• they enjoy international protection in an EU Member State,
• he/she is staying in an EU Member State under a temporary protection regime,
• they have lodged an application for temporary protection in an EU Member State, -
• he is tolerated in an EU Member State,
• they are in possession of an EU permanent residence permit,
• they enjoy the right to free movement,
• he is in possession of a humanitarian residence permit or has applied for such a permit or legal status and a decision on the application has not yet been made,
• whose entry into a Member State of the European Union is subject to obligations arising from international agreements facilitating the entry and temporary stay of certain categories of natural persons engaged in trade and investment-related activities,
• he has been admitted as a seasonal worker in an EU Member State or
• they are staying in Germany as a posted worker in the context of providing services.

Spouses of EU Blue Card holders are entitled to a residence permit. This entitles them to gainful employment.

After 33 months of highly qualified employment, or after just 21 months if they can prove that they have sufficient knowledge of German, EU Blue Card holders have the option of obtaining a settlement permit.

After 18 months of holding an EU Blue Card, foreigners have the right to settle in another EU member state (except Denmark, Ireland and Great Britain) together with their family members and apply for an EU Blue Card for corresponding employment in the second member state.

• The documents to be submitted may vary considerably.
  Erkundigen Sie sich bitte bei der örtlich zuständigen Ausländerbehörde. Erforderlich sind aber in der Regel u.a. die folgend genannten Unterlagen:
• valid passport
• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Proof of fulfillment of passport and visa requirements
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Proof of university degree
• Proof of employment or job offer

• Valid for up to one year: EUR 100
• Valid for more than one year: EUR 100
• Extension up to three months: 96 EUR
• Extension for more than three months: 93 EUR