Question 1

EU Blue Card: Minimum Salary in 2026 — What Is the Salary Threshold?

Accepted Answer

The general salary threshold for 2026 is 50,700 euros gross per year, or 4,225 euros per month. This corresponds to 50 percent of the contribution assessment ceiling for the general pension insurance system, which is 101,400 euros. For occupations facing labor shortages and for entry-level workers, a lower threshold of 45,934.20 euros annually—approximately 3,827.85 euros monthly—applies, though this requires approval from the Federal Employment Agency. The legal basis is Section 18g(1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG). Both amounts are adjusted annually.

Question 2

EU Blue Card: What is it—and how does it differ from the Blue Card?

Accepted Answer

This is a residence permit for the purpose of employment under Section 18g of the Residence Act (AufenthG) for third-country nationals with a university degree, based on Directive (EU) 2021/1883. “Blue Card,” “EU Blue Card,” and “Blaue Karte EU” all refer to the same permit; there is no legal distinction between them. The requirements are a recognized degree, an employment contract for at least six months, and a salary above the statutory threshold.

Question 3

Does my bonus count toward the minimum salary requirement for the EU Blue Card?

Accepted Answer

Variable compensation components are generally not included in the calculation of salary. Bonus payments, commissions, stock options, and non-cash benefits are not taken into account; the threshold must be met based on the fixed gross annual salary. Whether contractually agreed-upon payments, such as a guaranteed 13th month’s salary, should be treated differently depends on the terms of the contract and would need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Question 4

Can I get the EU Blue Card without a college degree?

Accepted Answer

In the IT sector, yes. Section 18g(2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) permits this if the applicant has at least three years of comparable professional experience at the academic level, acquired within the last seven years, in occupational groups ISCO 133 or 25. The reduced salary threshold of 45,934.20 euros applies, and the Federal Employment Agency must approve the application. Outside of these occupational groups, a college degree remains a requirement.

Question 5

EU Blue Card: How long is it valid—and how can you renew it?

Accepted Answer

The card is issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months, up to a maximum of four years. Renewal is granted upon application if the eligibility requirements continue to be met; the salary limit for the year of renewal is decisive, not that of the initial application. The application should be submitted eight to ten weeks before the card expires. If it is submitted on time, the authorities will issue a provisional certificate pursuant to Section 81 of the Residence Act (AufenthG).

Question 6

EU Blue Card: How long does it take to process an application in Munich?

Accepted Answer

The state capital of Munich states that processing the EU Blue Card can take up to seven months; the Immigration and Naturalization Service Office at Ruppertstraße 19 is responsible for this. The visa process abroad typically takes three to four weeks after the application is submitted. The expedited procedure for skilled workers under Section 81a of the Residence Act is significantly faster, with a processing time of two months from the date all required documents are submitted.

Question 7

EU Blue Card: What is the total cost of the application?

Accepted Answer

The national visa costs 75 euros; the initial issuance of a residence permit in Munich costs 100 euros, and a renewal costs 93 euros. In addition, there may be a fee of 208 euros for a certificate evaluation by the ZAB, as well as 411 euros for the expedited skilled worker procedure, which is typically covered by the employer. Compared to other EU countries, Germany falls in the bottom third in terms of fees; Malta charges 600 euros. Translations, certifications, and attorney’s fees are not included.

Question 8

EU Blue Card: Changing Employers — Can I Change Employers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with one restriction during the first year. During the first twelve months, the change must be reported to the Foreigners’ Registration Office; the office may suspend the process for up to 30 days and then either approve or reject it. After twelve months, no further approval is required. However, the requirements must still be met: The new contract must meet the salary threshold, and the position must correspond to the applicant’s level of qualification.

Question 9

EU Blue Card: What happens if I lose my job while holding a Blue Card?

Accepted Answer

The permit is tied to the employment for which it was issued; if that employment ends, the basis for the permit is affected—but it does not automatically expire. Speed is crucial: Those who notify the immigration authorities early on and provide proof of new employment that meets the eligibility requirements generally have significantly more options than those who wait for the permit to expire. How long the window of opportunity is in each individual case would have to be assessed based on the specific circumstances.

Question 10

EU Blue Card: Settlement Permit and Permanent Residence — When Is This Possible?

Accepted Answer

According to Section 18c(2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG), after 21 months of employment with corresponding pension contributions if German language proficiency is at Level B1, and after 27 months if German language proficiency is at Level A1. Under the general provision of Section 9 of the Residence Act, five years would be required. The proof of language proficiency is thus equivalent to six months of residence. The qualification itself does not lead to naturalization, but it shortens the path to naturalization by enabling the early acquisition of a settlement permit.

Question 11

EU Blue Card: Family Reunification — Does my spouse need to provide proof of language proficiency, and is he allowed to work?

Accepted Answer

No and yes. The A1 language proficiency requirement is waived under Section 30(1), sentence 3, no. 5 of the Residence Act (AufenthG); the housing requirement is waived under Section 29(5) of the Residence Act; and Section 27(5) of the Residence Act grants the joining spouse unrestricted access to the labor market from the outset. These three exemptions also apply to holders of the ICT Card and the Mobile ICT Card and are often the decisive advantage for dual-income households.

Question 12

EU Blue Card or Opportunity Card—what's the difference?

Accepted Answer

The Opportunity Card under Section 20a of the Residence Act is a points-based permit for job seekers: it allows for a stay of up to one year, part-time work of 20 hours per week, and a trial work period of up to two weeks. It does not require an employment contract. Conversely, the EU Blue Card requires a specific employment contract that meets the threshold requirements, but in return offers a much stronger legal status. In practice, the Opportunity Card often serves as a preliminary step.

Question 13

Can I move to another EU country with the EU Blue Card?

Accepted Answer

In the short term, yes: up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a German residence permit, provided the activity is directly related to the employment contract on which the card is based (Section 18h of the Residence Act). For a permanent move, Section 18i of the Residence Act (AufenthG) requires twelve months of lawful residence in the first Member State; for subsequent mobility, six months are required; the decision period is 30 days, and employment may begin after 30 days.

Question 14

EU Blue Card: Does This Status Lead to a German Passport?

Accepted Answer

Not directly. The title itself does not lead to naturalization, but it does shorten the path to it: The settlement permit, which can be obtained after 21 or 27 months, leads to permanent residency sooner, which can serve as the basis for a naturalization process. The requirements for naturalization—length of residence, language proficiency, means of support, and commitment to the free democratic basic order—are governed solely by the Nationality Act and must be assessed separately.

Question 15

EU Blue Card: My application was denied or is not being processed—what can I do?

Accepted Answer

The deadline for filing a lawsuit against a denial decision is generally one month from the date of notification (Section 74 VwGO); the Munich Administrative Court has jurisdiction over cases involving Munich. If no decision is reached for months, an action for failure to act under Section 75 VwGO is generally admissible no earlier than three months after the application was filed. Which course of action is most effective depends on the grounds for the denial and the facts of the case—both should be reviewed before the deadline expires.

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Protected: Applying for an EU Blue Card: 15 Things You Should Know Beforehand

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