{"id":95,"date":"2026-06-08T19:05:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T19:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/?page_id=95"},"modified":"2026-06-14T16:01:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T16:01:47","slug":"eu-blue-card-germany","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/eu-blue-card-germany\/","title":{"rendered":"EU Blue Card Germany\n          \u2014 Legal Advisory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<main id=\"main-content\">\n\n\n    <section class=\"hero-meridian hero-meridian--money\" aria-labelledby=\"page-h1\">\n      <div class=\"hero-meridian__rings\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"container hero-meridian__inner\">\n        <span class=\"hero-meridian__breadcrumb\"><a href=\"\/en\/\">Home<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"\/en\/services\/\">Services<\/a> &middot;\n          <a href=\"\/en\/business-immigration\/\">Business Immigration &amp;\n          Skilled Workers<\/a> &middot; EU Blue Card Germany<\/span>\n        <h1 class=\"hero-meridian__h1\" id=\"page-h1\">EU Blue Card Germany\n          &mdash; Legal Advisory<\/h1>\n        <p class=\"hero-meridian__lead\">The EU Blue Card (\u00a7&nbsp;18g AufenthG)\n          is Germany&rsquo;s primary residence permit for highly qualified\n          non-EU professionals. As of June 2026, the standard salary threshold\n          is &euro;50,700 per year; for shortage occupations and career\n          starters, &euro;45,934.20 per year. Settlement permit after\n          27&nbsp;months &mdash; or 21&nbsp;months with B1 German.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"hero-meridian__actions\">\n          <a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"btn btn-light btn-lg\">Request Advice<\/a>\n          <a href=\"#ebc-when\" class=\"btn btn-ghost-light btn-lg\">\n            Learn more &darr;<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"container\">\n      <aside class=\"summary-box\" aria-label=\"Summary\">\n        <span class=\"summary-box__eyebrow\">At a glance<\/span>\n        <p class=\"summary-box__text\">The EU Blue Card (\u00a7&nbsp;18g AufenthG) is Germany&rsquo;s primary residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying job offer. Standard salary threshold in 2026: &euro;50,700 gross per year; for shortage occupations and career starters: &euro;45,934.20. After 27&nbsp;months of Blue Card employment &mdash; or 21&nbsp;months with B1 German &mdash; the settlement permit is available. Spouses can join without a prior A1 language certificate and receive immediate access to employment.<\/p>\n      <\/aside>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <section class=\"service-body\">\n      <div class=\"container\">\n\n        <details class=\"page-toc-mobile\">\n          <summary class=\"page-toc-summary\">\n            <span class=\"page-toc-title\">Contents<\/span>\n          <\/summary>\n          <nav class=\"page-toc-nav\" aria-label=\"Page contents\">\n            <ul class=\"page-toc-list\">\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-when\" class=\"page-toc-link\">When does it apply?<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-requirements\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Requirements 2026<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-salary\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Salary thresholds<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-shortage\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Shortage occupations<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-comparison\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Blue Card vs other permits<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-application\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Application process<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-documents\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Required documents<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-employer-change\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Employer change &amp; job loss<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-family\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Family reunification<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-settlement\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Settlement permit<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-citizenship\" class=\"page-toc-link\">German citizenship<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-it\" class=\"page-toc-link\">IT specialists without degree<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-employers\" class=\"page-toc-link\">For employers<\/a><\/li>\n              <li><a href=\"#ebc-how-we-advise\" class=\"page-toc-link\">How we advise<\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n          <\/nav>\n        <\/details>\n\n        <div class=\"service-layout\">\n        <div class=\"service-prose\">\n\n          <dl class=\"legal-dl ebc-quickfacts\">\n            <dt>Legal basis<\/dt>\n            <dd>&sect;&nbsp;18g AufenthG<\/dd>\n            <dt>Standard salary threshold 2026<\/dt>\n            <dd>&euro;50,700 gross&nbsp;\/&nbsp;year &middot; &euro;4,225&nbsp;\/&nbsp;month<\/dd>\n            <dt>Shortage occupations &amp; career starters 2026<\/dt>\n            <dd>&euro;45,934.20 gross&nbsp;\/&nbsp;year &middot; &euro;3,827.85&nbsp;\/&nbsp;month<\/dd>\n            <dt>Duration<\/dt>\n            <dd>Contract duration + 3&nbsp;months, max. 4&nbsp;years<\/dd>\n            <dt>Settlement permit<\/dt>\n            <dd>After 27&nbsp;months &mdash; with B1 German after 21&nbsp;months<\/dd>\n            <dt>Federal Employment Agency consent<\/dt>\n            <dd>Required only when reduced threshold applies<\/dd>\n          <\/dl>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-when\">When Does the EU Blue Card Apply?<\/h2>\n          <p>The EU Blue Card is the right permit when three conditions converge:\n          a recognised university degree, a qualifying employment contract with\n          a German employer, and a salary that meets the statutory threshold.\n          The position must correspond to the degree &mdash; or stand in a\n          recognisable professional connection to it.<\/p>\n          <p>In practice, the most common stumbling blocks are not the salary\n          or the job offer, but the degree. Whether a foreign qualification\n          counts as equivalent to a German university degree depends on the\n          issuing institution, the level of the award, and its subject matter.\n          We assess this before the application is submitted &mdash; not once\n          the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde raises questions.<\/p>\n          <p>IT professionals are a notable exception: under &sect;&nbsp;18g\n          AufenthG, they may qualify without a formal university degree if they\n          can document at least three years of relevant professional experience\n          within the last seven years, at a level comparable to higher education\n          and directly relevant to the position offered.<\/p>\n\n          <div class=\"kagan-bluecard\" id=\"blue-card-tool\">\n<div class=\"tool\" id=\"tool\">\n  <div class=\"tool-head\">\n    <div>\n      <div class=\"eyebrow\" data-i=\"eyebrow\"><\/div>\n      <h1 data-i=\"title\"><\/h1>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"lang\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Sprache \/ Language\">\n      <button type=\"button\" id=\"lang-de\" aria-pressed=\"true\" onclick=\"setLang('de')\">DE<\/button>\n      <button type=\"button\" id=\"lang-en\" aria-pressed=\"false\" onclick=\"setLang('en')\">EN<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"warn\" id=\"warn\" data-i=\"warn\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"scope\" data-i=\"scope\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"progress\" id=\"progress\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"tool-body\" id=\"body\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"disclaimer\">\n    <span data-i=\"disclaimer\"><\/span>\n    <span class=\"brandline\" data-i=\"brandline\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-requirements\">Requirements 2026<\/h2>\n          <p>To obtain the EU Blue Card under &sect;&nbsp;18g AufenthG, four\n          conditions must be met. A German university degree, or a foreign\n          degree recognised as equivalent (at least EQF Level&nbsp;6), is\n          required. A binding employment contract or concrete job offer with a\n          German employer must specify a salary meeting the statutory minimum.\n          The position must correspond to the applicant&rsquo;s qualification\n          or stand in a demonstrable professional relationship to it. For IT\n          professionals without a degree, at least three years of documented\n          relevant professional experience within the last seven years serves\n          as an alternative qualification basis.<\/p>\n          <p>The degree equivalency question regularly requires careful\n          assessment. The anabin database of the Central Office for Foreign\n          Education and the ENIC-NARIC network provide initial orientation;\n          where a degree is not clearly rated there, a formal certificate\n          evaluation should be initiated early, as the process takes time and\n          the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde may require it before processing\n          the application.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-salary\">Salary Thresholds &mdash; As of June 2026<\/h2>\n          <p>The thresholds are adjusted annually and apply uniformly across\n          Germany. Only the contractually agreed fixed salary counts toward\n          the threshold. Variable performance-related components do not count\n          in full as a rule. Guaranteed bonuses &mdash; such as contractually\n          fixed Christmas or holiday pay &mdash; may be included if they are\n          unconditional.<\/p>\n          <div class=\"data-table-wrap\">\n            <table class=\"data-table\">\n              <thead>\n                <tr>\n                  <th>Category<\/th>\n                  <th>Annual gross<\/th>\n                  <th>Monthly gross<\/th>\n                <\/tr>\n              <\/thead>\n              <tbody>\n                <tr>\n                  <td>Standard threshold<\/td>\n                  <td>&euro;50,700<\/td>\n                  <td>&euro;4,225<\/td>\n                <\/tr>\n                <tr>\n                  <td>Shortage occupations &amp; career starters<\/td>\n                  <td>&euro;45,934.20<\/td>\n                  <td>&euro;3,827.85<\/td>\n                <\/tr>\n              <\/tbody>\n            <\/table>\n          <\/div>\n          <p>We review whether the employment contract meets these requirements\n          before the application is filed.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-shortage\">Shortage Occupations<\/h2>\n          <p>Shortage occupations include, in particular, certain roles in\n          mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, and technology, medicine,\n          health and nursing, education, and other occupational groups listed\n          under the applicable Blue Card rules. The reduced salary threshold of\n          &euro;45,934.20 applies where a position falls within these groups.\n          Where only the reduced threshold is met, Federal Employment Agency\n          consent is required as part of the application. Where the standard\n          threshold of &euro;50,700 is met, this additional step is dispensed\n          with &mdash; even in shortage occupations.<\/p>\n          <p>Whether a specific role qualifies as a shortage occupation should\n          be checked before the employment contract is finalised, since the\n          applicable threshold and procedure depend on it.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-comparison\">EU Blue Card vs Skilled Worker Visa\n            vs Opportunity Card<\/h2>\n          <p>Three residence titles are most relevant for non-EU professionals\n          coming to Germany for work-related purposes, and they serve\n          different situations.<\/p>\n          <p>The EU Blue Card (&sect;&nbsp;18g AufenthG) requires a concrete\n          qualifying job offer and a salary meeting the statutory threshold.\n          It leads to a settlement permit after 27&nbsp;months as a rule &mdash;\n          or 21&nbsp;months with B1 German &mdash; and carries particularly\n          favourable conditions for family reunification. It is the strongest\n          pathway for highly qualified professionals with an offer already\n          in hand.<\/p>\n          <p>Skilled worker residence permits (&sect;&sect;&nbsp;18a,&nbsp;18b\n          AufenthG) cover a broader range of employment situations, including\n          those where the salary falls below the Blue Card threshold or where\n          the qualification route differs. Recognition of foreign qualifications\n          plays a central role, and the Federal Employment Agency is typically\n          involved in the consent procedure.<\/p>\n          <p>The Opportunity Card (&sect;&nbsp;20a AufenthG) is a job-search\n          permit, not an employment title. It allows qualified professionals to\n          come to Germany to look for work for up to twelve months, with limited\n          working hours permitted during that time. Once employment is found,\n          conversion to an employment residence title &mdash; including the Blue\n          Card where the requirements are met &mdash; is the next step.<\/p>\n          <p>We advise on which route applies to your situation. Further detail\n          is on our pages for the\n          <a href=\"\/en\/skilled-immigration-germany\/\">Skilled Worker Visa<\/a>\n          and the\n          <a href=\"\/en\/opportunity-card-germany\/\">Opportunity Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-application\">Application Process<\/h2>\n          <p>For first entry, a national visa from the competent German embassy\n          or consulate abroad is required as a rule. After entry, the Blue Card\n          is applied for at the competent Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde.<\/p>\n          <p>The process begins with a preliminary assessment of degree, salary,\n          and position. The applicant then applies for a national visa at the\n          German mission abroad, enters Germany, and submits the Blue Card\n          application at the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde with the required\n          documents. In Hamburg, the competent authority for skilled worker\n          immigration is the Einwohner-Zentralamt.<\/p>\n          <p>For employers who need to fill a position promptly, the accelerated\n          skilled worker procedure under &sect;&nbsp;81a AufenthG is worth\n          considering. The employer initiates the procedure on behalf of the\n          applicant, the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde coordinates the\n          participating authorities, and statutory deadlines &mdash; including\n          a one-week window for the Federal Employment Agency and a three-week\n          window for the German mission abroad &mdash; compress the overall\n          timeline significantly. The fee is &euro;411, borne by the\n          employer.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-documents\">Required Documents<\/h2>\n          <p>A Blue Card application typically requires a valid passport, a\n          biometric passport photograph, the university degree certificate with\n          certified translation where required, evidence of degree equivalency\n          or recognition, the employment contract or binding job offer, proof\n          of salary meeting the applicable threshold, health insurance\n          confirmation, a description of the position and its connection to\n          the qualification, and &mdash; for IT professionals without a degree\n          &mdash; documented evidence of at least three years of relevant\n          professional experience within the last seven years. The\n          Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde may request additional documents in\n          individual cases.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-employer-change\">Employer Change and Job Loss<\/h2>\n          <p>A change of employer does not require prior permission from the\n          Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde. During the first twelve months of Blue\n          Card employment, the change must be notified to the foreigners\n          authority; the authority may suspend the change for 30&nbsp;days and\n          reject it within that period if the Blue Card requirements are not met\n          for the new position. After twelve months, a change within a qualifying\n          position is generally possible under simplified conditions, provided\n          salary, qualification, and the nature of the work continue to meet\n          the statutory requirements.<\/p>\n          <p>In the event of job loss, the Blue Card does not lapse immediately.\n          The holder generally has time to find a new qualifying position, but\n          the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde must be notified of the unemployment.\n          We regularly advise at this intersection of immigration law and\n          employment law: anyone who receives a notice of termination or is\n          asked to sign a termination agreement should assess the immigration\n          consequences before agreeing &mdash; the residence permit status\n          affects the negotiating position, and vice versa.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-family\">Family Reunification<\/h2>\n          <p>Spouses and registered civil partners of EU Blue Card holders can\n          generally join without a prior A1 German language certificate and\n          usually receive immediate access to employment in Germany. This\n          distinguishes the Blue Card from most other residence permits, where\n          a prior language certificate is required for the spouse&rsquo;s entry\n          visa as a rule. Other requirements &mdash; including livelihood and\n          housing &mdash; should still be checked in the individual case.<\/p>\n          <p>Children are likewise entitled to join under the family\n          reunification provisions, subject to the standard conditions.<\/p>\n          <p>Since 1&nbsp;March 2024, parent and parent-in-law\n          reunification may also be possible for EU Blue Card holders under\n          &sect;&nbsp;36(3)&nbsp;AufenthG, provided the EU Blue Card was\n          first issued on or after that date. This is not an automatic right\n          and should be assessed separately in the individual case.<\/p>\n          <p>The full procedure &mdash; visa, application, documents &mdash;\n          is set out on our\n          <a href=\"\/en\/family-reunification-germany\/\">family reunification\n          page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-settlement\">Settlement Permit Pathway<\/h2>\n          <p>One of the Blue Card&rsquo;s most distinctive advantages is the\n          accelerated pathway to a permanent settlement permit\n          (Niederlassungserlaubnis) under &sect;&nbsp;18c(2) AufenthG. The\n          standard qualifying period is 27&nbsp;months of Blue Card employment;\n          with German language skills at B1 level, this period is reduced to\n          21&nbsp;months. Additional requirements include continued qualifying\n          employment throughout the qualifying period, pension insurance\n          contributions, secured livelihood, adequate housing, and no\n          disqualifying criminal convictions. Questions about specific\n          constellations &mdash; particularly regarding prior residence periods\n          and their crediting &mdash; should be assessed individually.<\/p>\n          <p>We plan the settlement permit pathway proactively from the outset\n          of the mandate. Details on requirements and procedure are on our\n          <a href=\"\/en\/settlement-permit-germany\/\">settlement permit\n          page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-citizenship\">From Blue Card to German Citizenship<\/h2>\n          <p>Under the current naturalisation rules following the StARModG\n          reform (in force since 27&nbsp;June 2024), German citizenship is\n          generally possible after five years of lawful residence if the\n          statutory requirements are met. The Blue Card&rsquo;s accelerated\n          settlement permit pathway means holders can reach that threshold\n          comparatively early. For further detail on naturalisation requirements\n          and timelines, see our\n          <a href=\"\/en\/german-citizenship-naturalisation\/\">German citizenship\n          page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-it\">For IT Specialists Without a University Degree<\/h2>\n          <p>A university degree is not in every case a prerequisite. Under\n          &sect;&nbsp;18g AufenthG, IT professionals who cannot demonstrate a\n          formal degree may nonetheless qualify for the Blue Card if they can\n          document at least three years of relevant professional experience\n          within the last seven years, at a level comparable to higher education\n          and directly relevant to the position offered. The salary threshold\n          and employment requirement apply in the same way. Where only the\n          reduced threshold applies, Federal Employment Agency consent is\n          required as a rule.<\/p>\n          <p>This route requires careful documentation: the experience must be\n          specific, verifiable, and directly relevant to the position. We advise\n          on structuring this documentation before the application is\n          submitted.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-employers\">For Employers<\/h2>\n          <p>Employers hiring non-EU professionals under the Blue Card framework\n          should note several practical points. The salary in the employment\n          contract must meet the statutory threshold at the time of application.\n          The position description must reflect the actual duties and their\n          connection to the applicant&rsquo;s qualification.<\/p>\n          <p>Since 1&nbsp;January 2026, &sect;&nbsp;45c AufenthG requires\n          certain employers in Germany who recruit or hire third-country\n          nationals from abroad to provide information, in text form, about\n          advisory services under &sect;&nbsp;45b AufenthG, including the\n          contact details of the nearest advisory centre. This is not a general\n          duty to advise employees on their residence status or long-term\n          immigration options. Separately, employers should check and document\n          whether the residence permit allows the specific employment and\n          whether notification duties apply.<\/p>\n          <p>We advise employers on Blue Card hiring processes, fast-track\n          procedure coordination, and ongoing compliance. Further detail is on\n          our page for\n          <a href=\"\/en\/employ-foreign-skilled-workers\/\">hiring foreign skilled\n          workers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n          <h2 id=\"ebc-how-we-advise\">How We Advise<\/h2>\n          <p>We advise skilled workers and their employers across the full Blue\n          Card process: from the initial assessment of degree, salary, and\n          position through the visa application, the Blue Card application at\n          the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde, and &mdash; where the employer chooses\n          this route &mdash; the accelerated skilled worker procedure under\n          &sect;&nbsp;81a AufenthG. Beyond the Blue Card itself, our advice\n          covers employer changes, family reunification, EU mobility, and the\n          settlement permit pathway. Our firm advises in German and English;\n          by prior arrangement also in Russian.<\/p>\n\n          <p class=\"anwalt-hinweis\">Advice by\n            <a href=\"\/en\/firm\/alexander-kagan\/\">Alexander Kagan,\n            Attorney at Law<\/a>, admitted to the Hanseatic Bar Association\n            Hamburg. As of: June 2026.<\/p>\n          <p class=\"page-disclaimer\">The contents of this page are for general\n          information only and do not constitute legal advice. A mandate is\n          established only upon express acceptance.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div><!-- \/.service-prose -->\n\n        <aside class=\"page-toc-sidebar\" aria-label=\"Contents\">\n          <div class=\"page-toc-box\">\n            <div class=\"page-toc-title\">Contents<\/div>\n            <nav aria-label=\"Page contents\">\n              <ul class=\"page-toc-list\" role=\"list\">\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-when\" class=\"page-toc-link\">When does it apply?<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-requirements\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Requirements 2026<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-salary\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Salary thresholds<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-shortage\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Shortage occupations<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-comparison\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Blue Card vs other permits<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-application\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Application process<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-documents\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Required documents<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-employer-change\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Employer change &amp; job loss<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-family\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Family reunification<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-settlement\" class=\"page-toc-link\">Settlement permit<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-citizenship\" class=\"page-toc-link\">German citizenship<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-it\" class=\"page-toc-link\">IT specialists without degree<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-employers\" class=\"page-toc-link\">For employers<\/a><\/li>\n                <li><a href=\"#ebc-how-we-advise\" class=\"page-toc-link\">How we advise<\/a><\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n            <\/nav>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/aside>\n\n        <\/div><!-- \/.service-layout -->\n      <\/div><!-- \/.container -->\n    <\/section><!-- \/.service-body -->\n\n    <section class=\"section-related\" aria-labelledby=\"related-heading-ebc\">\n      <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"section-label\">Related Services<\/div>\n        <h2 id=\"related-heading-ebc\">Related Pages<\/h2>\n        <div class=\"related-grid\">\n          <a href=\"\/en\/business-immigration\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Business Immigration &amp; Skilled Workers<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/skilled-immigration-germany\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Skilled Worker Visa Germany<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/opportunity-card-germany\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Opportunity Card Germany<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/fast-track-procedure-germany\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Fast-Track Procedure \u00a7 81a<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/family-reunification-germany\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Family Reunification Germany<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/settlement-permit-germany\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Settlement Permit Germany<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/employ-foreign-skilled-workers\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">Hiring Foreign Skilled Workers<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n          <a href=\"\/en\/german-citizenship-naturalisation\/\" class=\"related-card\">\n            <span class=\"related-card-topic\">Services<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-title\">German Citizenship &amp; Naturalisation<\/span>\n            <span class=\"related-card-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"faq-section faq-section--surface\" aria-labelledby=\"faq-heading-ebc\">\n      <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"section-label\">FAQ<\/div>\n        <h2 id=\"faq-heading-ebc\">Frequently Asked Questions &mdash; EU Blue Card Germany<\/h2>\n        <ul class=\"faq-list\" role=\"list\">\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>What are the EU Blue Card salary thresholds in Germany for 2026?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>As of June 2026, the standard gross salary threshold is\n              &euro;50,700 per year (&euro;4,225\/month). For shortage\n              occupations and career starters whose degree was awarded no more\n              than three years ago, the reduced threshold is &euro;45,934.20\n              per year (&euro;3,827.85\/month). Thresholds are adjusted\n              annually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>Can my spouse and family members join me in Germany with the EU Blue Card?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>Spouses and registered civil partners of EU Blue Card holders\n              can generally join without a prior A1 German language certificate\n              and usually receive immediate access to employment in Germany.\n              Other requirements &mdash; including livelihood and adequate\n              housing &mdash; should be checked in the individual case.\n              Children may also join under the standard family reunification\n              conditions. In certain cases, parents and parents-in-law may be\n              able to join under &sect;&nbsp;36(3) AufenthG where the EU Blue\n              Card was first issued on or after 1&nbsp;March 2024 &mdash; this\n              should be assessed separately.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>How quickly can I get a permanent residence permit with the EU Blue Card?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>The settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) under\n              &sect;&nbsp;18c(2) AufenthG is available after 27&nbsp;months\n              of Blue Card employment as a rule. With German language skills\n              at B1 level, this period is reduced to 21&nbsp;months.\n              Continued qualifying employment, pension contributions, and\n              secured livelihood are required throughout.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>Does the EU Blue Card lead to German citizenship?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>It can. Under the current naturalisation rules following the\n              StARModG reform (in force since 27&nbsp;June 2024), German\n              citizenship is generally possible after five years of lawful\n              residence if the statutory requirements are met. The Blue\n              Card&rsquo;s accelerated settlement permit pathway means holders\n              can reach that threshold comparatively early.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>What are shortage occupations for the EU Blue Card?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>Shortage occupations include, in particular, certain roles\n              in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology,\n              medicine, health and nursing, education, and other groups listed\n              under the applicable Blue Card rules. Where only the reduced\n              salary threshold of &euro;45,934.20 is met, Federal Employment\n              Agency consent is required. Whether a specific role qualifies\n              should be checked before the employment contract is\n              finalised.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>Can IT specialists without a university degree obtain the EU Blue Card?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>Yes, as a rule. Under &sect;&nbsp;18g AufenthG, IT\n              professionals may qualify without a formal university degree if\n              they can document at least three years of relevant professional\n              experience within the last seven years, at a level comparable to\n              higher education and directly relevant to the position offered.\n              The standard salary and employment requirements apply in the\n              same way.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n          <li class=\"faq-item\">\n            <button class=\"faq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n              <span>What happens to my Blue Card if I lose my job?<\/span>\n              <span class=\"faq-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div class=\"faq-answer\">\n              <p>Job loss does not immediately invalidate the Blue Card. The\n              holder generally has a period in which to find a new qualifying\n              position, but the Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde must be notified\n              of the unemployment. Before signing any termination agreement or\n              accepting a dismissal, the immigration consequences should be\n              assessed &mdash; they can affect both the residence permit and\n              the settlement permit timeline.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/li>\n\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n    <section class=\"section-cta\">\n      <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"cta-inner\">\n          <div class=\"section-label\">Request Advice<\/div>\n          <h2 class=\"cta-heading\">EU Blue Card Germany &mdash; Request Advice<\/h2>\n          <p class=\"cta-body\">Would you like to apply for the EU Blue Card\n          or check whether the requirements are met in your case? We assess\n          your degree, salary, position, and further prerequisites and advise\n          you on the application process.<\/p>\n          <p class=\"cta-body\">Please outline your situation briefly using\n          the enquiry form. Useful details include nationality, university\n          degree, employer, planned salary, and intended start date.<\/p>\n          <div class=\"cta-actions\">\n            <a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-lg\">\n              Request Advice<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n          <p class=\"cta-body page-meta\">Please do not send confidential\n          original documents before a mandate has been accepted.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n  \n<\/main>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n  {\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n      {\n        \"@type\": \"Service\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/eu-blue-card-germany\/#service\",\n        \"name\": \"EU Blue Card Germany Lawyer\",\n        \"description\": \"Legal advice on the EU Blue Card (\u00a7 18g AufenthG) \u2014 salary thresholds 2026, application, settlement permit, family reunification. 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As of June 2026, the standard salary threshold is &euro;50,700 per year; for shortage occupations and career starters, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-leistung","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-95","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/95","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/95\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kaganlegal-germany.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}