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EU Blue Card, § 18g Residence Act

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All necessary information for applying for an EU Blue Card in Germany (visa & residence permit)

HERE YOU LEARN ...

... what requirements you must meet to get the Blue Card

... what salary you need for the Blue Card

... how to apply for a Blue Card in Berlin

... what advantages the Blue Card has

... what special rights and obligations apply to holders of an EU Blue Card

Written by: 

Attorney

Publication date:

12.01.2024

Reading time

12 mins

1. Definition and legal effect of the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit and visa that allows you to stay and work in Germany. The Blue Card was created specifically for highly qualified foreigners . However, since November 18, 2023 (EU Blue Card reform 2023), the Blue Card can no longer only be issued to academic specialists (i.e. foreigners with a recognized university degree), but in principle to all well-qualified foreigners (e.g. IT specialists or foreigners with vocational training ).


Approximately 70% of foreign academics and 57% of skilled workers have an EU Blue Card. The Blue Card is the equivalent of the US “Green Card” and is based on a European Union directive (Directive 2009/50/EC). Although the EU Blue Card was created by the European Union and is based on European law , it does not allow work in the entire European Union, but only in the state in which it was issued. However, the Blue Card can be recognized in other European countries (so-called short-term and long-term mobility with the Blue Card).

Germany is the country that issues the most Blue Cards in the entire European Union. Most Blue Card holders live in Bavaria or Munich, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia (Frankfurt am Main). Berlin in particular has a particularly high number of Blue Card holders in relation to the proportion of city dwellers. The Berlin immigration authority (State Office for Immigration (LEA)) has therefore created a separate department for applying for residence permits ( Departments B1, B2, B3 ). Of the Blue Cards issued in Germany , most were issued to Indian nationals . In 2021, for example, 27.5% of Blue Cards were issued to Indians. Most Blue Card holders stay in Germany and do not emigrate. Almost 50% of Blue Card holders successfully apply for a settlement permit and can thus stay in Germany indefinitely (see unlimited stay with the Blue Card) .

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2. Blue Card Benefits

Compared to other residence permits, the Blue Card has numerous advantages , which is why it is very popular among foreigners. The main advantages of the EU Blue Card are the following:


  • Settlement permit/ permanent residence permit after just 21 months (with B1 language level) or after 27 months (with A1 language level),

  • naturalization is possible without applying for a settlement permit (if the required residence periods have been reached),

  • Even if you quit your job, the Blue Card will remain valid for an additional three months,

  • family reunification is possible without German language skills and the spouse is allowed to work without restrictions,

  • the foreigner can stay abroad for 12 months without the Blue Card expiring (normally 6 months),

  • Prioritized processing and preferential treatment in the administrative procedure (e.g. at the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)),

  • no application for a change of employer necessary (only a prohibition reservation in the first 12 months (reform of 18.11.2023)),

  • The EU Blue Card can also be recognized in other countries of the European Union .

There are many different small and only partially relevant advantages of the Blue Card, especially in other European countries. However, these advantages are usually very case-specific and are therefore not listed here. If in doubt, you can consult a lawyer specializing in immigration law.

Our cooperating independent lawyers for German visa law will be happy to assist you. Send us an e-mail, use the contact form or use our chat to book an initial consultation - our experts will respond immediately!

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3. Requirements Blue Card (2024)

Due to the many advantages and privileges of the Blue Card and its status as a "premium residence permit", the Blue Card also has the highest requirements when applying . Originally, the EU Blue Card could only be issued to academic professionals in Germany. However, since the reform of November 18, 2023, other groups of people (especially IT specialists) in Germany can also receive the EU Blue Card. The requirements for applying for the various versions of the EU Blue Card differ as follows:


  • Applying for the Blue Card with a recognized university degree (see 1.)

  • Applying for the Blue Card as an IT specialist (see 2.)

  • Applying for the Blue Card as a new professional (see 3.)


The most important requirements for applying for the EU Blue Card are presented below.

3.1 Blue Card with university degree

The most important requirements for issuing the EU Blue Card are an employment contract with a German company (local employment relationship) and a German or foreign recognized university degree.

Overall, the requirements are as follows (checklist of EU Blue Card requirements):

1. legal employment contract with a German company ,
2. in 2024 , a minimum salary of 45,300 euros (“big” Blue Card) or 41,041.80 euros (in shortage occupations ,
so-called “small” Blue Card),
3. German accredited or foreign university degree recognized as comparable in Germany
( Anabin recognition or certificate evaluation of the ZAB ),
4. Fulfillment of the general visa requirements (valid passport, no criminal record, in Germany
valid (travel) health insurance),
5. Permission to practice a profession if you practice a regulated profession (see PROFESSIONS ET )
(e.g. engineer, doctor, lawyer, etc.),
6. adequate retirement benefits if you are over 45 years old,
7. have never applied for humanitarian protection (e.g. asylum) in a Member State of the European Union,
8. the application must appear “plausible” overall.

Legal employment contract Blue Card

The most important requirement for applying for the Blue Card is a legal employment contract (at least 6 months) with a German company. The employment contract must be legal, in particular it must not violate employee protection regulations or immigration laws (e.g. with regard to the amount of the salary (AufenthG), compliance with working hours (ArbZG) or granting of minimum vacation (BUrlG)).

Furthermore, the employment contract must be concluded with a German company. The company must therefore have its headquarters in Germany (so-called local employment relationship). Employment with a foreign company is not possible as long as this company does not have a branch in Germany. Whether the employer is German can be checked in the German commercial register .


Salary level Blue Card

Applying for the EU Blue Card still requires that the required minimum salary is reached. The minimum salary is based on the contribution assessment limit for pension insurance and is adjusted every year by the federal government. In 2024, the minimum salary for the EU Blue Card is 45,300 euros (standard issue) since the reform of November 18, 2023.

However, this salary limit only applies if there is no exceptional case . The most common exception when applying for a Blue Card is working in a shortage occupation (especially in STEM subjects). However, since the reform of the Blue Card on November 18, 2023, there are also these other exceptions:


  • IT specialists only need a salary of 41,041.80 euros

  • Shortage occupations only require a salary of 41,041.80 euros

  • Newcomers only need a salary of 41,041.80 euros

Recognized university degree

A prerequisite for the EU Blue Card is that the applicant has a recognized university degree . The easiest way to obtain recognition is if the degree was completed in Germany. In this case, no separate recognition is required. If the degree was completed abroad, the degree must be classified as comparable in the “ Anabin ” .

If the degree is not registered in Anabin, a so-called certificate evaluation must be submitted to the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) . The ZAB then checks the submitted documents to determine whether the foreign university degree meets the criteria for studying in Germany.

There must also be a so-called " qualification connection " between the course of study and the desired activity. The knowledge acquired during the course of study must therefore be used at least in part in the job. For example, a chemist is not allowed to work as a language teacher. However, this requirement is often handled comparatively generously; for example, the Higher Administrative Court of Saxony-Anhalt ruled that a dentist may work as an authorized signatory (Saxon Higher Administrative Court, judgment of February 11, 2021, 3 A 973/18).

Professional license and other requirements

In certain cases, a professional practice permit is required to apply for the EU Blue Card. This is required for so-called “regulated” professions (e.g. doctors, lawyers, engineers ). You can find out whether your activity is a regulated profession on the website of the Federal Employment Agency ( list of regulated professions at BERUFENET ). However, there is a special rule for engineers,
that the professional practice permit is not necessary for the activity itself, but only for the use of the professional title. The professional practice permit is therefore not necessary if, for example, you carry out engineering activities as a "project manager".

The work permit is checked and issued by the Federal Employment Agency using a declaration of employment relationship . As part of the check, not only is the employment contract checked, but the employer is also checked. For example, the Federal Employment Agency checks whether the employer has negative entries in the “Central Trade Register”. The Central Trade Register records, for example, whether the employer has been convicted in the past of violations of social security, tax or labor law. In these cases, the Federal Employment Agency can refuse approval. A visa will then not be issued.

Finally, in addition to the requirements outlined above, the general residency requirements must also be met. In particular, a valid passport must be presented and the application must appear “plausible” overall.

3.2 Blue Card for IT specialists

In contrast to other skilled workers, IT specialists do not generally need a university degree to apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany. IT specialists are therefore very highly privileged in Germany (even more so than other professional groups in shortage occupations). In this way, the federal government is trying to meet the demand for labor in the IT sector, which exists particularly in the big cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main). This is especially true for Berlin, which, with 71,000 skilled workers in the IT industry, is the largest IT location in Germany. Every year, an average of 700 new digital companies and 10,000 additional jobs in the IT sector are created in Berlin. This demand for labor cannot even begin to be met by the domestic labor market, which is why Berlin is heavily dependent on further immigration for further economic growth.

In order to meet this demand, the German government has once again significantly simplified immigration options for IT specialists at the end of 2023. As of November 18, 2023, the Blue Card can also be applied for without a recognized university degree, which was previously a prerequisite for all variants of the EU Blue Card.

To apply for the Blue Card for IT specialists without a university degree, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Salary of at least EUR 41,041.80 (45.3% of the annual contribution assessment limit; in 2024),

  • have worked in the IT sector at a professional level for at least 3 years in the last 7 years,

  • Job in Germany is at skilled level,

  • no reasons for rejection.


The IT specialist must provide evidence of the above requirements when applying for a visa or residence permit. This applies in particular to three years of professional experience within the last seven years. Ideally, references from your last employer are available. If no detailed references are available (as is often the case in the USA and India, for example), you can also provide evidence of professional experience through your CV and your own job descriptions. Both can then be presented as proof of experience at the embassy appointment.


3.3 Blue Card for young professionals

Since November 18, 2023, it has been possible to apply for an EU Blue Card as a newcomer to the job. Previously, newcomers to the job and trainees were often unable to apply for a Blue Card because in some professional groups it was unrealistic to achieve a corresponding salary in the first year of work. Since the reform, however, it is sufficient for newcomers to the job if they meet the salary threshold for shortage occupations (EUR 41,041.80 gross per year in 2024) . The prerequisite for this, however, is that the university degree was obtained no more than three years before applying for the Blue Card (Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 No. 2 of the Residence Act).

4. Blue Card Visa

4.1 Which embassy is responsible for my application?

If the requirements for issuing the EU Blue Card are met, the visa can be applied for at the relevant German embassy abroad. Which embassy is responsible for your application depends on your place of residence . Many embassies provide infographics on their website which can be used to determine which embassy is responsible if there are several German embassies in a country (see e.g. Overview of embassies responsible in India (Consulate Finder) , List of embassies responsible in the USA , and Responsibility in Great Britain (Discrict Map) ). Once the responsible embassy has been determined, you should go to the website of the respective embassy to find out about the specific application process , as the specific requirements vary depending on the embassy. A list of all German embassies in the world is published on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. For example, the following information websites are available for applying for a visa from the most common countries of entry:


When using the websites, you should simply ensure that you select the correct visa type and that the responsibility of the respective embassy (or its service provider such as VFS Global ) is correctly determined. In principle, the embassy closest to the applicant's place of residence is always responsible (see, for example , the district division in the United Kingdom (UK) ). There are a few exceptions to this rule, particularly in countries where an application is currently not possible for political reasons. If in doubt, you can consult a lawyer specializing in immigration law.

4.2 Required documents Blue Card Visa

The following documents are usually required to apply for the EU Blue Card:

  • VIDEX application form including corresponding declaration according to § 54 AufenthG,

  • valid passport,

  • Copy of the passport data page,

  • Passport photos,

  • Employment contract and job description,

  • completed and signed declaration of employment relationship,

  • Certificates of university degrees,

  • Anabin extracts or certificate evaluation from the ZAB to prove recognition,

  • other educational certificates (e.g. language courses or further training),

  • Proof of (travel) health insurance,

  • CV,

  • Proof of retirement benefits (if older than 45 years),

  • Permission to practice a profession (if a regulated profession (e.g. engineer) is practiced).

4.3 Processing time Blue Card Visa (2024)

If all the necessary documents are available, an appointment at the embassy can be booked via the RK visa. The availability of appointments varies greatly depending on the country in which the visa is applied for. It is now also possible to apply for the EU Blue Card online . However, this currently only applies to a few countries.


As soon as the appointment has taken place, the embassy will process the visa application. If a Blue Card has been applied for for a profession in which there is a shortage of skilled workers, the embassy will involve the Federal Employment Agency (declaration of employment relationship). The length of the processing time basically depends on how busy the respective embassy is. In African and Asian countries in particular, extremely long processing times can be expected. However, the processing times can be significantly reduced if prior approval from the Federal Employment Agency and, if necessary, the certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education are already presented. It is also generally advisable to submit the documents in the correct order and well sorted . Since applications for the EU Blue Card are generally given priority, a processing time of less than two months can generally be expected (if all required documents are presented in the correct form).


In certain cases, the processing time can be accelerated by using the accelerated skilled worker procedure. If the embassy continues to process the application slowly despite appropriate measures, it can help to appoint a lawyer specializing in immigration law to enforce the application. Lawyers can therefore put pressure on the embassies and thus increase the processing speed.


Once the visa for the Blue Card has been issued, you can enter Germany. It is a good idea to check the passport number on the visa, as embassies often have problems issuing visas. This can have serious consequences when entering the country.

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5. Apply for a Blue Card residence permit

5.1 Convert Blue Card visa into residence permit

After entering Germany, the visa for the Blue Card must be converted into a residence permit at the responsible immigration authority. The same applies to the extension of the Blue Card. The requirements for a residence permit are basically the same as when applying for a visa, although with a few special features. The easiest way to find out which immigration authority is responsible for your particular immigration authority is to use the so-called “ authority finder ” of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). In some cases there are also authority finders within the individual cities. In Hamburg, for example, each district has its own immigration authority, which makes the application process even more complicated (see the authority finder for the city of Hamburg here ). In Hamburg, it is therefore comparatively difficult to determine who is responsible. However, it must be said to the city’s credit that there is also an authority with overall responsibility for skilled workers, the Hamburg Welcome Center .


5.2 Apply for a Blue Card online
 The residence permit for the EU Blue Card can be applied for in any way imaginable (e.g. in writing by post, by email, orally on site or online using the contact form). The immigration authorities in the major cities (in particular Berlin (State Office for Immigration (LEA)), Munich (Munich District Administration Department (KVR)) and Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt am Main Immigration Office)) have almost without exception developed online portals through which applications can be submitted.


The online portals of the largest immigration authorities can be found here:



 The use of the contact forms is relatively self-explanatory. Only the responsibilities of the
different departments can cause difficulties. In the contact form of the
The responsibilities of the State Office for Immigration in Berlin (LEA) are as follows:

  • Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin B1, B2, B3: Blue Card and family members + students

  • Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin B4: Visa approvals for Berlin

  • Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin B6: Business Immigration Service (BIS)

  • Department of State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E2: USA, Canada , South America, etc.

  • Department of State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E3: Australia, India, Israel, etc.

  • Department of State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E4: China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, Vietnam, etc.

  • Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E5: Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia)

  • Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin E6: European citizens (freedom of movement), Great Britain , Switzerland

  • Department of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) Berlin S5: Turkey and Ukraine

The complete organizational chart of the State Office for Immigration is available for public inspection . The organizational chart also contains all other areas of responsibility of the LEA (asylum/subsidiary protection, toleration, passport matters, repatriation, internal services/personnel/finances, court proceedings).

When using the contact form of the Berlin Immigration Office (State Office for Immigration), you should also note that in addition to the general contact form, there is also a special contact form for applying for a Blue Card (see Berlin Immigration Office (LEA) contact form for applying for the EU Blue Card ). If you want to use the general contact form (e.g. to submit documents later), please make sure that you select the correct department (for holders of an EU Blue Card, these are departments B1/B2/B3) and the correct service (e.g. EU Blue Card or family reunification for the holder of a Blue Card). Some departments of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) and the Munich District Administration Department (KVR) even offer an emergency appointment or urgent appointment via the contact form.

When using the online forms, it is also a good idea to download and save the summary of the form or the email confirmation after submitting it. These confirmations serve as proof that the documents were actually submitted in cases where the time of submitting the documents or the application is important. This is particularly relevant if, for example, the immigration authorities have set a deadline for submitting documents or if a fictitious certificate is being applied for.

The online portals usually also provide the documents required for the Blue Card. The list of documents for the EU Blue Card from the largest immigration authorities can be found here:


Until 2023, it was still possible to communicate with the authorities by email, but the public email addresses of the Berlin State Office for Immigration, the Munich District Administration Department and the Frankfurt am Main Immigration Office have since been switched off. Only lawyers still have the option of contacting these immigration authorities via the electronic justice system (special electronic lawyer mailbox (beA)).

5.3 Required documents Blue Card EU residence permit

To apply for the Blue Card at the responsible immigration authority, at least the following documents are usually required:


  • Application for the EU Blue Card

  • Valid passport

  • Employment contract

  • Statement on employment relationship

  • Professional license (if required)

  • University certificate

  • Anabin extract or certificate evaluation

  • previous residence permit (visa)

  • Registration confirmation

  • Rental agreement

  • Proof of monthly rental costs

  • Health insurance certificate

  • current biometric photo


Once the required documents have been submitted (in full), the immigration office will make an appointment to issue the residence permit. The residence permit will be issued after the appointment.

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Our cooperating independent lawyers for German visa law will be happy to assist you. Send us an e-mail, use the contact form or use our chat to book an initial consultation - our experts will respond immediately!

6. FAQ (Blue Card EU Germany)

What activities am I allowed to carry out with the Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is generally linked to an employer. Your Blue Card lists the employer and the position you are permitted to work in. If this is not the case, you will find the relevant permission in the “supplementary sheet”.


Can I be self-employed or a freelancer with the Blue Card?

No, the EU Blue Card is intended for dependent employment (i.e. an employment relationship). If you want to set up a business, you generally have to apply for a residence permit for self-employment. In some federal states, however, a freelance permit is also issued with the Blue Card. This is the case if your Blue Card contains the additional provision “Gainful employment permitted”.


How long can I stay abroad with a Blue Card?

In principle, residence permits expire after an absence of six months. The Blue Card has the special feature that an absence of 12 months is possible. However, there are some exceptions to this. If in doubt, you must consult your immigration authority or a specialist lawyer for migration law.


Can I apply for family reunification with the Blue Card?

Yes, the EU Blue Card allows family reunification. There is even the privilege that the family members do not have to provide proof of German language skills. In the case of the Blue Card, it is also possible for parents to join the family.


Can I travel to other EU countries with my Blue Card?

The Schengen Convention allows mobility throughout Europe for up to 90 days. However, this does not usually apply if you want to work in the country in question.


How long is the Blue Card valid for?

The Blue Card is generally issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months. However, the maximum duration is four years.


When can I apply for a settlement permit with the Blue Card?

With the Blue Card, you can apply for a settlement permit after 21 months (B1 language skills) or after 27 months (A1 language skills).


Can I apply for naturalization with the Blue Card?

Yes, if you achieve the required residence periods, you can apply for naturalization with the EU Blue Card without first obtaining a settlement permit.


Is my Blue Card from another country also valid in Germany?

No, the Blue Card is generally only valid in the country in which it was issued. However, it is possible to enter Germany with the Blue Card and have the EU Blue Card recognized here.


Can I live and work in Germany with a Blue Card from another EU country (short-term and long-term mobility with a Blue Card)?

Yes and no. Unfortunately, Europe-wide mobility with the Blue Card is not as easy as the name “EU” Blue Card suggests. Generally speaking, if you want to move to Germany for a longer period of time, you must apply for a “new” German Blue Card (or another residence permit) in order to be allowed to work in Germany. However, there are a few simplifications in the administrative procedure when applying. For example, holders of a Blue Card from another EU country (who have already held this Blue Card for at least 12 months) do not have to apply for a new visa to enter Germany. In addition, under certain circumstances, no new recognition of the qualification (ZAB/Anabin) is necessary. This usually speeds up the application process a little.


As a Ukrainian citizen, can I apply for a Blue Card even though I have temporary protection status (TPS)?

In principle, it is not possible to apply for a Blue Card with humanitarian protection in accordance with Section 24 AufenthG (see Section 19f (2) AufenthG). This also applies to Ukrainians. However, the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the immigration authorities quickly recognized that this exclusion from the Blue Card is not appropriate in the case of the war in Ukraine. The State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin therefore still issues the EU Blue Card to Ukrainians if Ukrainian applicants in return waive their right to apply in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act. The State Office for Immigration provides a separate form for this purpose. However, this only applies in Berlin and cannot necessarily be transferred to other immigration authorities in Germany.

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