Germany EU Blue Card

Do you have an academic qualification and you have found a job in Germany? Learn about what requirements you have to meet for an EU Blue Card.

On this page

• What is the EU Blue Card?
• Overview of the requirements for the EU Blue Card
• In this video: How do I get the EU Blue Card?
• How to live and work with the EU Blue Card
• What to consider when changing jobs with the EU Blue Card
• EU Blue Card without a degree: opportunities for IT specialists

What is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act [AufenthG] ) is a special residence title for foreign academics and people with comparable qualifications who want to take up qualified employment in Germany. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, see the “Do I need a visa?” section.

Overview of the requirements for the EU Blue Card

• You have a German academic qualification or a foreign academic qualification that is comparable to a German academic qualification. If you do not have a traditional academic degree, you must demonstrate that you have a tertiary-level qualification that took at least three years to complete in order to obtain an EU Blue Card. In Germany, this qualification must correspond to at least level 6 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011) or level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework. Examples of such training qualifications include “Master craftsman training / Master craftswoman training” as well as non-academic vocational qualifications in educator professions. Information on the equivalence and recognition of foreign academic qualifications can be found in the “Recognition” section
• You already have a specific job offer from a company in Germany. The job offer must meet the following conditions:
  • The period of employment must be at least six months.
  • The job must match your qualification (academic degree). If a licence to practise (regulated professions) is required, this must be in place or in prospect at the time of the visa application.
  • Your job in Germany must enable you to earn a gross annual salary of at least €48,300 (as of 2025).
• If you are employed in a shortage occupation, you can also obtain an EU Blue Card with a lower gross annual salary of at least €43,759.80 (as of 2025) if the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has approved your employment. The salary thresholds are published annually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. The following professions are considered to be shortage occupations in Germany:
  • Manufacturing, mining, construction and distribution managers
  • Information and communications technology service managers
  • Professional services managers, such as childcare services, health services and education managers
  • Academic STEM professionals
  • Academic professionals in architecture, spatial planning and transport planning
  • Medical doctors
  • Veterinarians
  • Dentists
  • Pharmacists
  • Academic and comparable nursing and midwifery professionals
  • School and out-of-school teachers and educators

The detailed list of shortage occupations for the EU Blue Card can be found here. 

EU Blue Card for young professionals

The following applies to new entrants to the labour market: If you obtained your last degree or equivalent qualification less than three years ago, you can also obtain an EU Blue Card if your job offer includes a gross annual salary of at least €43,759.80 (as of 2025). This applies to entry-level jobs in all professions. The approval of the Federal Employment Agency is also required for the visa procedure.