The population in Germany and Europe is getting older and older, and for several years now, more and more important positions have remained unfilled. This leads to the so-called shortage of skilled workers, which politicians are trying to address.
One option is the Blue Card. The EU project is aimed at immigrants who want to find work in Germany and the EU. The Blue Card is a simplified residence permit. It can be applied for if certain conditions are met.
We will show you what options you have in this article.
Would you like to come to Germany or are you already here? Gaining a foothold in a new country is associated with many challenges. We would like to help you at least overcome the legal hurdles. As experienced lawyers in migration law, we support you in this important phase of your life. Contact us at any time for an initial consultation!
What is a Blue Card?
The Blue Card has many names: It is also called Blue Card, EU Blue Card, EU Blue Card or Blue Card Germany. It is a residence permit issued by a member state of the EU (Section 18b of the Residence Act). People with a Blue Card have a right to enter and stay in the respective country and to take up qualified employment.
The Blue Card is intended to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and bring qualified workers into the country. For academics , a Blue Card is therefore a particularly important way to obtain a residence and work permit in Germany.
The Blue Card also has many benefits for immigrants and their families. It enables immigrants to quickly obtain a permanent residence permit and thus plan and build a long-term future in Germany or the EU. This is also very important when it comes to integration and job search.
Good to know: After just 27 months (change in the law from 18.11.2023: previously 33 months), the authorities issue such a permanent residence permit (settlement permit). If German language skills are proven (at least B1 level), a settlement permit can also be issued after 21 months.
How long can I stay in Germany with the Blue Card?
The Blue Card is issued by the competent immigration authorities in Germany or the German missions abroad (embassies and consulates) abroad. It can be issued for a maximum of 4 years , but is usually based on the duration of the employment relationship (if it is fixed-term).
If the employment relationship is limited to less than 4 years, the Blue Card is issued for this period plus 3 months.
An example: If you have a fixed-term employment contract for 12 months (1 year), you will usually be issued a Blue Card for 15 months (12 months + 3 months buffer).
In the case of a permanent employment relationship, the duration of the Blue Card is normally 4 years. However, after 27 or 21 months , you can apply for a settlement permit, i.e. a permanent residence permit.
After 18 months , there is also the possibility of relocating to another EU country. However, the time spent in Germany is taken into account. You can also move freely within the Schengen area for tourist purposes. The EU may be left for up to 12 months. If you are away for a longer period of time, there is a risk of losing your Blue Card.
Please note: Ireland and Denmark do not yet apply these regulations (so-called Highly Qualified Workers Directive). Other regulations apply here that must be observed if you want to move on to one of these countries.
Blue Card: What requirements must be met?
Not every foreign skilled worker can obtain a Blue Card. To successfully apply for one, you must be able to prove that you:
- have a German university degree or
- have completed a comparable tertiary education programme of at least 3 years or
- have a foreign university degree (comparable to a German) or
- have comparable knowledge and skills in the IT sector and have acquired at least 3 years of professional experience within the last 7 years
In addition, there are other factors to consider:
- Proof of a concrete job offer for at least 6 months or an employment contract must be provided.
- A visa must be applied for in the home country at the German embassy for entry.
- There must be a minimum income of 50,700 euros gross (for 2026) or 48,300 euros gross (2025), for so-called “shortage occupations” or for young academics, 45,935 euros gross (for 2026) or 43,760 euros gross (for 2025) are sufficient.
If there is no employment contract or job offer, you can still be granted a 6-month job search visa.
If you are not entitled to a Blue Card, you can try to get a so-called opportunity card in Germany. This works similarly to the Blue Card, but is not based on the EU Directive, but on a German law.
How do I apply for a Blue Card?
Normally, a visa must first be applied for (usually in the home country) for entry and to take up work. This can be done through the German embassy in your home country. Neither the approval of the employment administration nor the immigration office is required for this.
After entering the country, you can apply for an extension of the Blue Card at the German immigration authorities. If you are already in Germany, you can also apply for the Blue Card directly at the immigration authorities.
The Blue Card can also be applied for in an accelerated procedure . The application for the Blue Card is then submitted by the employer here in Germany. As a rule, this procedure should be decided within 2 months.
You also have the right to bring your family to Germany as well. This is easier with the Blue Card than with other residence permits. The requirements are lower, language skills are not necessary, for example.
The residence permit for family members is valid for the same period as the Blue Card holder. In addition, family members may also be allowed to work in Germany without restrictions.
How can a specialized lawyer for migration law and immigration law help?
The Blue Card simplifies many things and makes it easier for you to come to the EU and Germany as a qualified specialist. It therefore offers you many advantages over easy immigration.
Nevertheless, the legal regulations are still complex and often difficult to understand. In addition, many procedures take a long time and communication with the German authorities is often a real challenge for non-native speakers. Integration into a new country and “arriving” in Germany are also often a major change that first has to be processed emotionally.
Therefore, we are happy to support you in communicating with the authorities, discuss your applications and help you with legal questions. For almost 20 years, we have been supporting many affected people who want to come to Germany in this way to gain a foothold here and successfully find a new home.
Conclusion: The most important things in brief
- In the EU as in Germany, there has been a shortage of many millions of skilled workers for years. The Blue Card is intended to solve this problem at the European level.
- The Blue Card enables academics in particular to find work in Germany and to obtain a work permit and a residence permit as quickly and unbureaucratically as possible.
- The Blue Card can be issued for a maximum of 4 years and then renewed. After 33 months, however, immigrants can already receive a permanent residence permit.
- For this purpose, there must be a concrete job offer or an employment contract. In addition, a minimum income must be achieved.
- The family can also join them and work here as well
Despite simplified regulations, the laws are complex and can be difficult for immigrants to understand. Legal advice from specialized lawyers in migration law helps to get off to a good start in Germany. Contact us at any time for a non-binding conversation!
Do you need support? We will help you fill out the applications or answer any open questions about the legal situation. Contact us by e-mail: kontakt@ra-maibaum.de or by phone: +49 (0) 221 598 13 595
FAQ Blue Card: everything you need to know at a glance
What is a Blue Card and what is it used for?
The Blue Card is a simple residence permit that allows qualified workers to work and live in Germany. It is intended to make it easier for skilled workers from non-EU countries to work in Germany and contribute their qualifications.
What are the requirements to obtain a Blue Card?
You must be able to prove that you have a German university degree or have completed a comparable tertiary education programme with at least 3 years of training or have a foreign university degree (comparable to a German one) or
have comparable knowledge and skills in the IT field and have acquired at least 3 years of professional experience within the last 7 years. In addition, you must be able to prove a concrete job offer for at least 6 months or an employment contract. They must also have applied for a visa to enter the country and have a minimum gross income of 58,400 euros. For so-called shortage occupations, 45,552 euros gross is sufficient.
How long is a Blue Card valid and can it be extended?
The Blue Card is usually limited to four years, but can be extended as long as the requirements are still met. After 27 or 21 months of work in Germany, the Blue Card holder can also apply for a settlement permit, which is a permanent residence permit.
Can the family also come to Germany?
Yes, holders of a Blue Card have the right to bring their family to Germany. Family members usually receive residence permits that are synchronized with the main applicant’s Blue Card.
Image credits: SolStock | istockphoto.com
