An EU Blue Card (residence permit in accordance with Section 18g AufenthG) is issued to a third-country national who holds a German, recognised foreign or a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree. The Blue Card is issued only for a domestic job appropriate to the qualifications of the applicant. Since 18 November 2023, holders of so-called tertiary educational qualifications (e.g. master craftsmen, graduates of certain technical colleges) can also be issued Blue Cards. IT specialists with at least 3 years of professional experience at university level can now also receive an EU Blue Card without a degree.

Self-employed and freelancers cannot have EU Blue Cards. They are issued specific national residence permits.

• 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 information and communication technology services
• Managers in the provision of specialized services, such as childcare or healthcare
• Veterinarians
• Dentists and dental surgeons
• Pharmacists
• Academic and comparable nursing and midwifery professionals
• Teachers and educators in the school and extracurricular sector

The EU Blue Card is issued for a maximum of four years. If the employment relationship is shorter than four years, the Blue Card will be issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months. The duration of residence permits for accompanying family members must be adapted to the duration of the EU Blue Card.

Since March 1, 2020, there is no longer a check on skilled workers in Germany to determine whether privileged workers are available on the German labor market. An inspection of the working conditions will be waived if the income requirement of 45.300 EUR (2024) is met. For graduates with job offers in so-called shortage occupations with a yearly gross income between 41.041,80 EUR and 45.300 EUR (2024) an inspection of working conditions, however, will take place.

Since 18 November 2023, the EU Blue Card has only been issued for the first 12 months for a specific job with a specific employer. After that, any employment is permitted.

Since 18 November 2023, EU Blue Card holders who wish to change jobs within the first 12 months no longer have to obtain permission from the immigration authority before starting a new job with a new employer. In return, during the first twelve months since taking up employment with the EU Blue Card, the competent immigration authority must be notified immediately of any change of employer and any change that affects the fulfilment of the conditions for the issue of the EU Blue Card. If this notification is not made, the EU Blue Card and the residence permits of the accompanying family members may be revoked. If the immigration authority becomes aware of the change of employment, it may suspend the change of employment for 30 days within 12 months - starting from the date on which the person commences employment - and reject it within this period if the requirements for the issue of an EU Blue Card are not met.

Yes. Family members may accompany the EU Blue Card holder and will receive residence permits in Germany as well.

Spousal reunification may not be made conditional on integration efforts which may or may not have taken place prior to the arrival. Proof of basic German language skills is not required.

Holders of an EU Blue Card with German language skills at level A1 can obtain an EU Blue Card after 27 months. If they have German language skills at level B1, the settlement permit will be issued after just 21 months.

Holders of other residence permits for the purpose of employment can also receive a settlement permit even if they were not in possession of an EU Blue Card, but otherwise fulfilled the requirements for the issue of an EU Blue Card during their previous period of residence.

Blue Card EU holders may temporarily stay outside Germany for up to twelve months in a row without the residence permit becoming invalid. However, the EU Blue Card expires if the Blue Card holder does leave Germany for non-temporary reasons, for example in case of deregistering the place of residence (Abmeldung) and taking up employment abroad.

Generally a Visa procedure is mandatory before entering the country to start a Blue Card employment. The Visa will be issued by the competent German diplomatic mission. Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand or the United States of America may enter Germany without requiring a visa, and must subsequently apply for the EU Blue Card within three months at the competent immigration authority in Germany, and before taking up employment. Also individuals who have held an EU Blue Card in another EU Member State for at least 18 months may enter Germany without requiring a visa and take up employment matching their qualification. Individuals who are already living in Germany and already hold any other residence title may also file their application for the EU Blue Card in Germany.