In Germany, the EU Blue Card is the central residence permit for highly qualified specialists with a university degree. It can only be applied for in person at your local immigration authority. Spouses of EU Blue Card holders are also entitled to a residence permit.

You can obtain an EU Blue Card if you have completed a degree programme. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognised or comparable to a German university degree. You can already recognise or establish comparability before you enter Germany. 

In addition, you must submit an employment contract or a binding job offer with a certain minimum salary. The minimum salary is set annually and amounts to EUR 55,200 in 2020. For so-called shortage occupations, in particular:

• natural scientists,
• Mathematicians,
• Engineers,
• Human physicians as well as human physicians as well as
• IT Professionals

a lower income limit applies. This amounts to EUR 43,056 in 2020. In these cases, the Federal Employment Agency checks whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees.

The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence permit. It is granted for a period of four years in the case of permanent employment relationships. If the duration of your employment relationship is less than four years, the EU Blue Card will be issued for the duration of your employment contract plus three months. In the first two years, you need the written permission of the Foreigners' Registration Office to change jobs.

As an EU Blue Card holder, you can obtain a settlement permit if you:

• have been employed for at least 33 months,
• have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or to another pension scheme with comparable benefits for that period,
• your stay does not endanger or adversely affect the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany,
• have a basic knowledge of German languages and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system,
• be allowed to pursue an economic activity and have all the necessary permits,
• be able to secure the life support for yourself and your family from your income without using public benefits, and
• have enough large living space for yourself and your family.

If you have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1), you can obtain the settlement permit after just 21 months. 

Exception: As a national of an EU country, you have access to the labour market due to your right to freedom of movement. You can pursue a self-employed activity or employment in Germany within the framework of the right of establishment or the free movement of workers. This also applies to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.