EU Blue Card Germany: requirements and checklist

Who this guide is for

• Graduates from outside the EU who already have a job offer or signed contract in Germany.
• IT specialists without a formal degree who have several years of relevant professional experience.
• Recent graduates comparing the Blue Card with other work residence titles.
• People already in Germany on another title who want to switch to a Blue Card.

What you need

• A concrete, binding job offer or employment contract in Germany.
• A university degree that is recognised in Germany, or — for the IT route — documented professional experience.
• A gross annual salary that meets the threshold that applies to your case in the current year.
• A valid passport and, in most cases, an entry visa appointment at a German mission abroad.
• Proof of health insurance coverage from the start of your employment.

Step-by-step process

1. 01

   Check your qualification route

   There are two main doors. The standard route requires a German or recognised foreign higher education degree. The IT route under the skilled immigration rules allows specialists without a formal degree if they can document several years of relevant, comparable professional experience. Decide which door you are using before you collect documents, because the evidence differs.

2. 02

   Get your degree recognition checked

   A foreign degree must be comparable to a German one. The official database for this comparison is anabin, and the visa office may ask for a statement of comparability. Starting this early matters: recognition is the step most often underestimated, and it can take weeks. If your salary sits below the Blue Card threshold, compare it with the skilled-worker work visa.

3. 03

   Confirm the salary threshold for your case

   See the current salary threshold figures — the Blue Card has a general minimum gross salary and a reduced threshold for shortage occupations, for young professionals within three years of graduation, and for qualifying IT specialists. The figures are set annually, so always confirm the current number on the official source before you sign anything.

4. 04

   Apply for the entry visa

   Unless you may enter Germany without a visa for employment purposes, you apply at the German mission responsible for your place of residence. You submit your contract, qualification evidence, passport and the mission's forms. Processing times vary widely by location, so book the appointment as early as you can.

5. 05

   Enter Germany, register and take up work

   After arrival you register your address, complete health insurance and give your employer your tax ID. Registration is not optional paperwork here: the residence permit stage assumes it.

6. 06

   Convert the visa into the Blue Card residence permit

   Before your entry visa expires, you apply at the local foreigners' authority for the Blue Card itself. You will be asked for your registration confirmation, contract, insurance proof, biometric photo and the fee. The card is issued for the duration of your contract plus a buffer, within the legal maximum.

Documents checklist

• Valid passport with enough remaining validity
• Signed employment contract or a binding job offer stating salary and duties
• Degree certificate plus recognition or comparability evidence, or documented IT experience
• Completed visa application forms from the responsible German mission
• Biometric photos to the German specification
• Proof of health insurance from the first day of employment
• Registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung) for the residence permit stage
• Professional licence, where your profession is regulated

Common mistakes

• Assuming any degree qualifies without checking comparability in anabin.
• Using last year's salary threshold when negotiating the contract.
• Signing a contract whose gross salary sits just below the threshold that applies to your case.
• Treating the entry visa as the residence permit and missing the foreigners' authority appointment.
• Forgetting that regulated professions need a licence in addition to the degree.
• Leaving address registration until late and blocking the residence permit step.

What happens next

• Keep a copy of the visa decision, the contract and all recognition documents in one place.
• Register your address in the first weeks after arrival and wait for your tax ID letter.
• Attend the foreigners' authority appointment before your entry visa expires.
• Track the validity date of the Blue Card and set a reminder several months before it ends.
• If your family will follow, start the family reunification documents in parallel rather than afterwards.

How Burokrat helps

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum salary for an EU Blue Card in Germany?

As of 2026 the general minimum is €50,700 gross per year, and €45,934.20 gross per year applies to shortage occupations, young professionals within three years of graduation, and qualifying IT specialists. The figures change annually — confirm the current amount on the official Make it in Germany page.

Can I get a Blue Card without a university degree?

There is a route for IT specialists who can document several years of relevant professional experience instead of a formal degree. It has its own evidence requirements, so check the official source for your case.

How long is the EU Blue Card valid?

It is normally issued for the duration of your employment contract plus a short buffer, up to the legal maximum. A shorter contract means a shorter card and an earlier renewal.

Can my spouse work in Germany on a family reunification permit?

In the standard case a spouse who joins a Blue Card holder is allowed to work. The details depend on the residence title that is issued, so check the decision letter.

Do I apply for the Blue Card from abroad or in Germany?

Most people apply for an entry visa at the German mission abroad and then apply for the Blue Card itself at the local foreigners' authority after arriving and registering.

Does Burokrat decide whether I am eligible?

No. Burokrat organises the steps, documents and deadlines and cites official sources. Eligibility decisions are made by the German authorities, and a lawyer should review complex cases.

Official sources

• Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card (official portal)
• § 18g AufenthG — EU Blue Card

Related guides

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