Arrangement of Visas and Blue Cards

Since August 1, 2012, it has been possible to obtain an EU Blue Card, as per § 19 a, Residence Act (AufenthG). As of 2022, the annually adjusted minimum gross income required for the card is 56.400 € or, in the case of certain jobs, 43.992 €.

Qualified applicants—along with their spouses and children—have a legal right to an EU Blue Card. The card remains valid for a maximum of four years. (The expiration date can be extended by three months for employment contracts of a lesser duration.) Blue Card holders may reside outside the EU for up to 12 months without penalty. The Blue Card system has made the immigration of skilled professionals easier.