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EU Blue Card
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EU Blue Card: Legal certainty for qualified professionals
Would you like to work as a highly qualified professional in Germany – or are you a company within the EU planning to employ qualified workers from third countries?
The EU Blue Card is a proven way to gain qualified access to the German labor market. It is particularly sought after in sectors with a shortage of skilled workers, such as medicine, engineering, and IT.
Section 18b of the Residence Act serves as the legal basis. In practice, however, complex legal questions often arise when applying for a residence permit – for example, regarding the recognition of qualifications or the official requirements for the employment relationship.
Attorney Abschira Kontny supports you with her extensive experience in immigration law. Whether you are applying for a residence permit yourself or want to create legally sound solutions for your future employees, Ms. Kontny will guide you through the entire process – from the application to communication with the authorities.
This allows you to concentrate on what matters most – your professional future in Germany.
Benefits for skilled workers
- Facilitated family reunification – Spouses and children receive faster access to residence permits
- Accelerated settlement permit & naturalization – Shorter deadlines for obtaining a permanent residence permit and acquiring German citizenship.
- Fast recognition of qualifications – Simplified procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications.
- Security and mobility – Blue Card holders benefit from a secure residence status and increased mobility within the EU.
- Attractive career opportunities – Access to highly qualified jobs with better salary and development prospects.
Benefits for companies
- Accelerated skilled worker procedure – Faster recruitment and hiring of international talent through simplified regulatory processes.
- Highly qualified workers – Companies gain access to a global pool of excellently trained specialists.
- Elimination of the priority check – Employers do not have to prove that no suitable applicants from Germany or the EU are available.
- Lower salary thresholds – Reducing the minimum wage makes it easier for SMEs in particular to employ foreign skilled workers.
- Long-term employee retention – Attractive prospects for skilled workers to stay increase the chances of long-term employment and reduce fluctuation.
What are the requirements and how do I apply?
The “classic” way
You have a university degree that either originates from a German university or is recognized as equivalent in Germany. The recognition of foreign degrees can be checked in the Anabin database. If not, an individual certificate evaluation is available, although this involves additional costs. For certain professions—such as human medicine—you also need a special professional practice permit.
Special features due to the German shortage of skilled workers
There is a special regulation for specialists in information and communication technology (IT): In these professions, no university degree is required.
Instead, you must submit evidence that you have at least three years of professional experience in the IT field within the last seven years. Examples of such evidence could include confirmations from your previous employers.
Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain the EU Blue Card if you have completed a tertiary education program equivalent to a university degree. But what exactly does this mean? A tertiary education program is further education after school that is comparable to a university degree. These include, for example, technical colleges or vocational training programs, which usually last three years.
This must last at least three years, and the competent German authorities must confirm the equivalence.
The further requirements
Furthermore, the application for the EU Blue Card must be accompanied by a specific job offer or a signed employment contract. The planned employment in Germany must be for at least six months, and the employer must have a permanent establishment in Germany. Furthermore, your salary must meet a certain minimum threshold.
The minimum salary limit for 2025 is:
Shortage occupations
– 43,759.80 euros per year (3,646.64 euros gross per month) for occupations on the list of shortage occupations.
– 43,759.80 euros per year (3,646.64 euros gross per month) for occupations on the list of shortage occupations.
Shortage occupations are certain professions for which there are too few workers in Germany: natural scientists, mathematicians, architects, spatial planners, urban planners and traffic planners, designers, engineers and engineering scientists, medical doctors (except dentists), academic specialists in information and communication technology.
Other professions
– 48,300 euros per year (4,025.00 euros gross per month) for all other professions.
– 48,300 euros per year (4,025.00 euros gross per month) for all other professions.
Performance bonuses and other fully variable special payments are not taken into account.
In addition to these professional requirements, you must have adequate health insurance in Germany. Private or statutory health insurance is mandatory; foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient.
Legal advice can provide concrete support
The immigration process is complex – behind every application are personal stories, hopes and challenges.
As a lawyer, I support both sides: employees seeking new opportunities and employers seeking to attract international specialists. My goal is to clearly explain the background of the requirements and provide the crucial transfer service: What does this mean for you in concrete terms? What steps are necessary to obtain the EU Blue Card?
With my experience, I ensure that complex regulations become clear courses of action.
What are the benefits of a Blue Card for Germany
The EU Blue Card is a key residence permit under labor migration law that facilitates access to the German labor market for highly qualified professionals from third countries. It serves as a strategic tool for the targeted recruitment of international talent and strengthens Germany's competitiveness as an attractive business location.
We'll support you throughout the entire EU Blue Card application process—from the initial review of your documents to the successful issuance of the Blue Card. Our goal is to provide you with a seamless and stress-free experience.
Arrange a free preliminary consultation now and find out more.
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