What is the EU Blue Card and who can apply for it in Germany?
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified non-EU workers with a recognised university degree and a job offer meeting a minimum salary threshold set in law. It is issued by the German immigration authorities and grants a route toward permanent settlement after a qualifying period.
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How it works
An applicant needs a job contract, proof of qualification and a salary that meets the published threshold, which is lower for occupations on a recognised shortage list. The card is applied for either at a German mission before entry or converted from another status after arrival, depending on the applicant's situation.
Commonly mixed up with
The EU Blue Card is sometimes confused with an ordinary German work permit. It is a specific EU-wide scheme with its own qualification and salary conditions, distinct from other national work-based residence permits.
What is the EU Blue Card and who can apply for it in Germany?
| Knowledge, Berlin | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified non-EU workers with a recognised university degree and a job offer meeting a minimum salary threshold set in law. It is issued by the German immigration authorities and grants a route toward permanent settlement after a qualifying period. |
| How it works | An applicant needs a job contract, proof of qualification and a salary that meets the published threshold, which is lower for occupations on a recognised shortage list. The card is applied for either at a German mission before entry or converted from another status after arrival, depending on the applicant's situation. |
| Commonly mixed up with | The EU Blue Card is sometimes confused with an ordinary German work permit. It is a specific EU-wide scheme with its own qualification and salary conditions, distinct from other national work-based residence permits. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is a university degree required?
- Yes, a recognised degree or comparable qualification is required.
- Is the salary threshold fixed?
- It is published and updated by the responsible authority, and differs for shortage occupations.
- Does it lead to permanent residence?
- Yes, after a qualifying period of holding the card.
- Can family members join?
- Family reunification is possible under separate conditions.
- Where is the scheme explained?
- The Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge publishes Blue Card guidance.
Sources
More in this track
- How does Schengen entry work for a visit to Germany?
- What is the difference between a Schengen visa and a German national visa?
- What types of residence permit exist in Germany?
- How does work authorisation work for non-EU nationals in Germany?
- How does family reunification work for residence in Germany?
- What is required for a student residence permit in Germany?
- Can a non-EU national get a residence permit for self-employment in Germany?
- Why does a residence permit application depend on address registration?
- Why is health insurance proof required for a German visa or residence permit?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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