§18g AufenthG

Blaue Karte EU

EU Blue Card

Das Wichtigste für Arbeitgeber

Die Blaue Karte EU ist Deutschlands wichtigste Aufenthaltserlaubnis für hochqualifizierte Fachkräfte aus Drittstaaten. Sie bietet den schnellsten Weg zur Niederlassungserlaubnis und ist die arbeitgeberfreundlichste Visumskategorie.

Gehaltsgrenze (2026): €50,700 general / €45,934 shortage occupations (2026)

Übliche Dauer: 6-12 weeks from application to work start

Das Gesetz, vereinfacht

Die Blaue Karte EU ermöglicht Drittstaatsangehörigen mit einem anerkannten Hochschulabschluss und einem Arbeitsplatzangebot, das eine Mindestgehaltsgrenze erfüllt, für bis zu vier Jahre in Deutschland zu leben und zu arbeiten. Inhaber können bereits nach 21 Monaten (mit B1 Deutsch) oder 27 Monaten (mit A1 Deutsch) eine Niederlassungserlaubnis beantragen. Familienangehörige können ohne Nachweis deutscher Sprachkenntnisse nachziehen, und Ehepartner erhalten sofortige Arbeitserlaubnis. Seit Juni 2024 können IT-Fachkräfte mit mindestens drei Jahren Berufserfahrung auch ohne formalen Abschluss qualifizieren.

Ihre Pflichten als Arbeitgeber

1Provide an employment contract or binding job offer with a gross annual salary meeting the threshold (€50,700 general / €45,934 for shortage occupations in 2026)
2The position must require a university-level qualification (though the degree field no longer needs to match since 2024)
3Register the employee with social security before they start work
4Ensure the workplace complies with German labour law (working hours, vacation, health & safety)
5Report the employment to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit if requested

Prozessschritte — wer macht was

Degree recognition check

relokate

Verify the candidate's degree is recognised in Germany via anabin (for known universities) or apply for a ZAB statement of comparability (4-6 weeks). For IT professionals without a degree, document 3+ years of relevant experience.

Employment contract preparation

Arbeitgeber

Ensure the contract meets the salary threshold and the job description reflects the required qualification level. The contract must be signed before the visa application.

Visa application at German embassy

Kandidat

The candidate applies for a national visa (D-visa) at the German embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. Candidates from visa-free countries (§41 AufenthV) can enter Germany and apply directly at the Ausländerbehörde.

Entry and address registration

Kandidat

After arriving in Germany, register at the local Bürgeramt within 14 days (Anmeldung). This is required before the residence permit appointment.

Residence permit application

relokate

Apply for the EU Blue Card at the local Ausländerbehörde with all required documents. The Blue Card is issued for up to 4 years or the duration of the employment contract plus 3 months.

Social security registration

Arbeitgeber

ArbeitgeberKandidatBehörderelokate

Häufige Fehler

Salary below threshold: Even a few euros below the threshold will result in rejection — always verify against the current year's figures

Degree not recognised: An anabin H- rating means the degree is not recognised. Apply for ZAB assessment instead, but expect 4-6 weeks processing

Missing Vorabzustimmung: For some cases, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit must pre-approve the employment — your Ausländerbehörde will request this automatically, but it can add 2-3 weeks

Embassy appointment delays: In high-demand countries (India, Philippines), embassy appointments can be booked out 4-8 weeks in advance — plan early

Contract not signed before visa application: A Letter of Intent is not sufficient — the candidate needs a signed employment contract

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is the minimum salary for an EU Blue Card in 2026?

The general salary threshold for 2026 is €50,700 gross per year. For shortage occupations (IT, engineering, medicine, natural sciences), the reduced threshold is €45,934. These thresholds are adjusted annually based on the average gross annual salary.

Can an IT professional get a Blue Card without a university degree?

Yes. Since June 2024, IT professionals with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in the last 7 years can qualify for an EU Blue Card without a formal university degree, provided the salary threshold is met.

How long does it take to get permanent residence with a Blue Card?

Blue Card holders can apply for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 21 months with B1 German language skills, or after 27 months with A1 German. This is significantly faster than the standard 5-year path.

Does the job need to match the degree field?

No. Since the 2024 reform, there is no longer a requirement for the job to be related to the degree field for non-shortage occupations. For shortage occupations using the lower salary threshold, the job must still be in a related field.