Germany’s EU Blue Card: A Gateway for Highly Skilled Professionals

What Is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act, AufenthG) is a special residence title designed for non-EU nationals with academic or comparable qualifications seeking to take up highly qualified employment in Germany.(Make It In Germany)

Eligibility Criteria

1. Academic or Equivalent Qualification
   You must hold a German academic degree or a foreign degree equivalent to Germany’s standards. Non-traditional but tertiary-level qualifications (e.g., master craftsman training, vocational educator training) that meet ISCED level 6 or the European Qualifications Framework are also accepted.(Make It In Germany)
2. Valid Job Offer or Employment Contract
   You need a specific job offer in Germany:
   • Minimum duration: 6 months
   • Must match your qualifications
   • Regulated professions require licenses as needed(Make It In Germany)

Salary Thresholds (Effective 2025)

• Standard Minimum Salary: €48,300 gross/year (50% of the pension insurance assessment ceiling)(Make It In Germany)
• Lower Threshold (Shortage Professions & Entry-Level Workers): €43,759.80 gross/year (45.3% of the ceiling). Also applies to new graduates (degree obtained within the last 3 years), and IT specialists without a formal degree (must have 3 years of relevant university-level IT experience). Approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) is required(Make It In Germany)

Duration, Processing, and Fees

• Validity: Up to 4 years, typically equal to the employment contract plus 3 months(Migration and Home Affairs, Make It In Germany)
• Processing Time: Maximum is 90 days(Migration and Home Affairs)
• Fees:
  • Initial issue (up to 1 year or longer): €100
  • Renewal (≤3 months): €96, (>3 months): €93
  • Express issuance: €35(Migration and Home Affairs)

Flexibility and Additional Benefits

• Inter-EU Mobility: Blue Card holders from another EU country can enter Germany for up to 90 days for work-related purposes without needing a German visa or BA permit(Make It In Germany)
• Family and Settlement Rights: You can bring your family. After 21 months (with German BEFR B1 level), or 27 months (with A1 level), you may apply for a settlement permit(Make It In Germany)
• Changing Employers: Allowed. If you switch jobs within the first year, you must notify the local Foreigners’ Authority, which will verify continued eligibility.(Make It In Germany)

Summary Table

Additional Context & Relevance

Germany expanded access to the EU Blue Card in November 2023 under the Skilled Immigration Act, broadening eligibility to new graduates and experienced IT professionals without formal degrees.(Make It In Germany) The salary thresholds rose in 2025—as confirmed by multiple sources—highlighting the evolving nature of eligibility standards.

Conclusion

The EU Blue Card remains one of the most attractive pathways for skilled professionals worldwide. With its updated 2025 thresholds, broader eligibility criteria, and valuable rights regarding settlement and mobility, it’s an opportunity worth exploring—so long as your qualifications, job offer, and salary meet the criteria.

Resources : https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card