Prerequisites
A national of a non-EU country can apply for an EU Blue Card if he or she:
- holds a German, a recognized foreign or a foreign university degree equivalent to a German university degree and
- can show an employment contract with a gross annual salary of at least EUR 43,800 (EUR 3,650 per month), in so-called shortage occupations (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT specialists) of EUR 39,682.80 (EUR 3,306.90 per month), which was concluded for at least six months.
From November 18, 2023, young professionals can also apply for an EU Blue Card if they have a gross annual salary of EUR 39,682.80 (EUR 3,306.90 per month). A young professional is someone who obtained their (last) university degree no more than three years before applying for the EU Blue Card.
In addition, IT specialists without a recognized qualification may also apply for an EU Blue Card if they can demonstrate a salary of EUR 39,682.80 (EUR 3,306.90 per month), are employed as managers in the provision of information and communication technology services, as software developers or system administrators, and can demonstrate at least three years of professional experience within the last seven years in the above-mentioned professional groups.
If the minimum annual income of currently EUR 43,800 is exceeded, neither a priority check (checking whether German or privileged foreign workers are available for this employment) nor a comparability check of the working conditions will take place.
If only the lower minimum income limit of currently EUR 39,682.80 per year is reached in occupations where there is a shortage, for new entrants to the job market or for IT specialists without a recognized qualification, (only) a comparability check of the working conditions is required. For IT specialists without a recognized qualification, an additional check is carried out to determine whether the required three years of professional experience and the skills, knowledge and abilities acquired through this are available for the desired employment and are at the level of a university degree.
For all professions, whether regular or shortage occupations, entry-level jobs or IT specialists without a recognized qualification, the employment must be appropriate to the qualification and the employment contract must be valid for at least six months.
In the online database of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), you can query whether your foreign university degree is recognized in Germany, see .
If the database does not contain any meaningful information, applicants are obliged to apply to the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) for an individual, fee-based assessment of their qualification and to submit this.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- 1 recent biometric passport photo 35mm x 45mm, light background
- University certificate - if necessary together with ZAB assessment
- Employment contract or specific job offer
- Health insurance
- Job description form - Only if approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required
- Professional license - only if required
- Proof of university degree (certificate)
- For IT specialists without a recognized degree: Proof of three years of professional experience from the last seven years
Please note
The EU Blue Card can only be issued for employment in occupations where there is a shortage of skilled workers (scientists, mathematicians, architects, spatial, urban and transport planners, designers, engineers, engineering scientists, general practitioners, medical specialists and academic specialists in information and communication technology), for those starting their careers and for IT specialists without a recognised qualification following approval by the Federal Employment Agency.
