How does EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) work in Germany, and who qualifies?

The EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU, §18g Residence Act) is for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a recognised or comparable university degree and a concrete employment contract for qualified work. You need a gross salary at or above the annual Blue Card threshold, with a lower threshold applying to shortage occupations and recent graduates. IT specialists may qualify via professional experience rather than a formal degree. You will also need a valid travel document and health insurance.

The Blue Card's biggest advantage is its accelerated route to permanent residence: you can apply for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after as little as 21 months with B1 German, or 27 months with basic German — well ahead of the standard five-year route. The first residence permit issued in Germany costs EUR 100, with a EUR 75 national D visa.

If your degree is recognised and your salary meets the threshold, the Blue Card is usually the most attractive skilled route. Salary thresholds are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure on make-it-in-germany.com before applying, and ACME can help you check whether your role and salary qualify.