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EU Blue Card

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

14-90 days

Application Fee

175 EUR

Stay Duration

4 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Germany

Cost of Living

Same as United States

Avg Salary€39,600

Quality of Life

196/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Highly skilled employment with a recognized degree and salary above the member state threshold. Portable across EU after 12 months.

The EU Blue Card is Germany's residence permit for highly skilled non-EU professionals with a recognized degree (or equivalent IT experience) and a gross annual salary of at least €50,700 (€45,934 for shortage occupations or recent graduates).

Issued for up to 4 years and renewable. PR access is accelerated — 27 months with basic German, or 21 months at B1 level. Spouses get unrestricted work rights. After 12 months portable across EU states. Entry visa €75; residence permit up to €100.

This visa is ideal for highly skilled non-EU professionals with a German job offer who want fast-track PR, EU mobility, and family work rights.

Fee Breakdown

Entry Visa fee	75 EUR
Residence Permit fee	100 EUR

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

4 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Germany

EU Long-Term Residence Permit

Validity5 years

Processing28-84 days

View Visa Details

Settlement Permit (Permanent Residency) / Niederlassungserlaubnis

Germany

Settlement Permit (Permanent Residency) / Niederlassungserlaubnis

ValidityIndefinite

Processing2-6 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Valid work contract or binding job offer from a German employer for at least 6 months

Academic degree (German or recognized foreign equivalent)

Minimum gross annual salary threshold (e.g., €50,700 for 2026, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations/young professionals)

Job must be commensurate with the applicant's qualifications

For regulated professions, proof of permission to practice in Germany

Valid health insurance coverage

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

50,700 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

Biometric passport-sized photos

Signed employment contract or job offer

Declaration of employment (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) signed by employer

Proof of academic qualifications (degree certificates, transcripts)

Proof of recognition of foreign degree (e.g., Anabin database printout or ZAB Statement of Comparability)

Proof of health insurance

Proof of accommodation (if applying in Germany)

Application Process

Secure job offer: Meeting minimum salary requirement of EUR 50,700

Prepare documents: University degree, job offer, passport

Apply for visa: At German consulate

Pay visa fee: EUR 75

Receive entry visa: Valid for 12 months

Register in Germany: Convert to EU Blue Card residence permit

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis	—
VIDEX National Visa Application Form	—

Verified Claims (23)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Secure job offer: Meeting minimum salary requirement of EUR 50,700; Prepare documents: University de…	make-it-in-germany.com
Dependent Visa	Family reunification rights	make-it-in-germany.com
Fee Breakdown	Entry Visa fee: 75 EUR; Residence Permit fee: 100 EUR	make-it-in-germany.com
Fees	EUR 100 (Residence Permit) / EUR 75 (Entry Visa)	make-it-in-germany.com
Forms	Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis (Declaration of Employment); VIDEX National Visa Application …	make-it-in-germany.com
Included Nationalities	—	make-it-in-germany.com
Job Offer Required	true	make-it-in-germany.com
Application Portal	https://digital.diplo.de/visa	digital.diplo.de

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Overview

Highly skilled employment with a recognized degree and salary above the member state threshold. Portable across EU after 12 months.

This visa is ideal for highly skilled non-EU professionals with a German job offer who want fast-track PR, EU mobility, and family work rights.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Valid work contract or binding job offer from a German employer for at least 6 months

Academic degree (German or recognized foreign equivalent)

Minimum gross annual salary threshold (e.g., €50,700 for 2026, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations/young professionals)

Job must be commensurate with the applicant's qualifications

For regulated professions, proof of permission to practice in Germany

Valid health insurance coverage

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

50,700 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

Biometric passport-sized photos

Signed employment contract or job offer

Declaration of employment (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) signed by employer

Proof of academic qualifications (degree certificates, transcripts)

Proof of recognition of foreign degree (e.g., Anabin database printout or ZAB Statement of Comparability)

Proof of health insurance

Proof of accommodation (if applying in Germany)