The EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act, AufenthG) is one of the most attractive residence permits for highly qualified professionals from outside the EU. It makes it easier for your family to join you and offers a faster route to permanent residence.

Current annual salary thresholds

The minimum salaries are adjusted every year and are linked to the contribution ceiling for statutory pension insurance. In regular occupations you need a gross annual salary of at least 50% of that ceiling, which in 2026 is €50,700. For shortage occupations (for example IT, engineering, medicine and teaching) and for graduates who obtained their degree within the last three years, a reduced threshold of 45.3% applies, which in 2026 is €45,934.20 gross per year. Check the current figure on official websites before signing a contract.

Degree and recognition

You need a recognised or comparable university degree. In the anabin database, the university should have “H+” status and the degree should be classed as comparable. If this is not the case, apply for a statement of comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

Simplified rules for family members

The spouse of a Blue Card holder can obtain a residence permit without first proving knowledge of German: an A1 certificate is not required. This residence permit allows them to take up any employment or self-employment.

When you can apply for permanent residence

With a Blue Card you can apply for a permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 27 months of employment with pension insurance contributions if you have basic German (A1). With proven B1 level, the period is reduced to 21 months.

What to check

  • Check that the gross salary in your contract meets the current threshold for your occupation.
  • Print the anabin entries for your university's status and your degree.
  • Ask your employer for the completed “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis” form.
  • Prepare proof of health insurance for the period of entry.

Example situation

A software engineer with a gross annual salary of €52,000 receives a Blue Card for the length of his employment contract plus three months. His wife applies for a family reunification visa without an A1 certificate and can work after arriving.

Next step

The Blue Card is one of the fastest routes to permanent residence; check the recognition of your degree before accepting a job offer.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.