EU Blue Card
🇩🇪 Germany visas · Work
What it is
Residence title for highly skilled workers from non-EU countries with a recognised university degree and a qualifying German job offer above defined salary thresholds.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Up to 4 years (duration of contract plus 3 months)
- Processing time
- Not specified on page
- Maximum validity
- 4 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (EU Blue Card residence permit)
- EUR 100
- Application fee (national (D) visa to enter)
- EUR 75
Key requirements
- German or comparable foreign academic qualification
- Specific job offer from a German employer (employment of at least 6 months)
- Gross annual salary at least EUR 50,700 (2026)
- Shortage occupations and recent graduates: at least EUR 45,934.20 (2026)
- Employment matched to qualification
Working on this visa
Full qualified employment appropriate to the qualification; from month 13 a job change needs no foreigners-authority permit (first 12 months notifiable).
Bringing family
Family can join, with immediate work rights.
After this visa
Settlement permit after 27 months (21 with B1 German), AufenthG §18c(2).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 27 July 2026.