The EU Blue Card - the residence permit for academic professionals

The EU Blue Card is one of the most attractive residence permits for qualified professionals from third countries. It is aimed at academics who wish to take up employment in Germany matching their qualification and offers numerous advantages over other residence permits - from faster access to a settlement permit to facilitated family reunification.

The EU Blue Card is governed by § 18g of the German Residence Act (AufenthG). As an attorney specialising in immigration law, I guide professionals and employers through the procedure - from checking the requirements to issuance.

"For many professionals, the EU Blue Card is the fastest and most secure route to permanent residence. The decisive factor is that qualification, position and salary fit together cleanly from the outset."

— Tom Beisel, Attorney

The requirements at a glance

For an EU Blue Card to be issued, the following requirements essentially must be met:

1. University degree or comparable qualification

As a rule, a German, a recognised foreign or a degree comparable to a German one is required. For foreign degrees, recognition or comparability must be demonstrated.

2. Concrete job offer

There must be a concrete job offer or employment contract for a position appropriate to the qualification, usually with a term of at least six months.

3. Minimum salary

The employment must reach a certain minimum salary. This is adjusted annually. Lower salary thresholds apply for so-called shortage occupations and for young professionals.

⚠ Important: the salary thresholds change every year. The exact amounts are set anew each year and differ between standard occupations and shortage occupations. Before applying, the currently valid threshold should always be checked, as a salary that is too low leads to rejection.

Shortage occupations - facilitated access

For certain occupations in which there is a shortage of skilled workers in Germany, special facilitations apply - in particular a lower salary threshold. These typically include occupations in the following areas:

• →Natural sciences, mathematics and engineering
• →Information and communication technology (IT)
• →Human medicine (except dentistry)
• →Certain technical and academic shortage occupations

IT professionals in particular can, under certain conditions, obtain an EU Blue Card even without a formal university degree if they can demonstrate sufficient professional experience.

The advantages of the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card brings a range of advantages that make it particularly attractive:

• →Fast route to a settlement permit: after just 21 months with sufficient German language skills, otherwise after 27 months
• →Facilitated family reunification: spouses may join without prior proof of German language skills and may work immediately
• →Mobility within the EU: facilitated move to other EU states after a certain time
• →Possibility of stays abroad without losing the permit

Settlement permit - the route to permanent residence

One of the greatest advantages of the EU Blue Card is the accelerated access to permanent residence. Holders of an EU Blue Card can obtain a settlement permit considerably faster than with other residence permits:

• →After 27 months with proof of basic German language skills (level A1)
• →After just 21 months with sufficient German language skills (level B1)

In addition, employment in a qualified job and the payment of pension insurance contributions over the stated period are required.

How I support you

Whether as a professional or as an employer - I guide you through the entire procedure:

• →Checking the requirements and the current salary thresholds
• →Assessment of the recognition of foreign degrees
• →Preparation and support of the application at the immigration authority
• →Advice on family reunification and the later settlement permit
• →Representation in the event of rejection

I advise in German, English and Russian and represent clients throughout Germany.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the salary threshold for the EU Blue Card?

The salary threshold is adjusted annually and differs between standard occupations and shortage occupations, with lower thresholds applying to shortage occupations and young professionals. As the amounts change every year, the currently valid figure should always be checked before applying.

Do I absolutely need a university degree?

As a rule, yes. An exception applies in particular to IT professionals, who under certain conditions can obtain an EU Blue Card even without a formal university degree if they have sufficient relevant professional experience.

How quickly will I get a settlement permit?

With the EU Blue Card this happens particularly fast: with sufficient German language skills (B1) after just 21 months, otherwise after 27 months - provided the further conditions such as qualified employment and pension contributions are met.

May my family come with me?

Yes, and in a facilitated manner. Spouses of EU Blue Card holders may join without prior proof of German language skills and may work in Germany immediately without restriction.

What happens if my degree is from abroad?

Foreign university degrees must be recognised or assessed as comparable to a German one. This comparability can be checked via the relevant databases and bodies - a step I am happy to handle for you as part of the consultation.