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The EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) is Germany's residence title (§ 18g AufenthG) for university-educated skilled workers with a qualifying job offer. It carries a faster path to permanent residence and easier family reunification than a standard work visa.
Who this applies to
- Applies to: non-EU professionals with a recognised degree and a German job offer.
- Also relevant if: you're a recent graduate, work in a shortage occupation, or are an experienced IT professional (see below).
- No job offer yet? The Opportunity Card lets you come and search first.
Requirements
- A recognised university degree (or comparable qualification). Recognition can be checked in the official anabin database, and employers often help.
- A binding job offer or contract in Germany.
- A salary at or above the Blue Card threshold — with a lower figure for shortage occupations and recent graduates.
Step-by-step
1. Degree recognition
The qualification must be recognised or comparable to a German degree.
2. The salary threshold
Thresholds are set yearly; the current-year figure and the shortage-occupation list determine what applies to a given role.
3. Apply
Where an entry visa is required first, it is applied for at the German mission in the country of residence, then converted to the Blue Card after arrival. Some nationalities can enter visa-free and apply at the local immigration office after their Anmeldung.
What happens next differs for every relocation.
Whether the Blue Card is your best route, the exact requirements you must meet, and your next steps depend on your qualification, role, salary, nationality, city, and family. A guide can describe the general rules; software can work out which of them apply to you, in what order, and what to prepare first — and keep pace as the annual thresholds change.
Timeline
Entry visa (if required)
Varies by consulateApplied for before travel.Register + apply after arrival
Week 1 onwardAfter your Anmeldung.Blue Card issued
WeeksDepends on a complete file and appointment availability.
Required documents
What to prepare
- Valid passport
- Recognised degree certificate (with translation / assessment if required)
- Signed employment contract stating your salary
- Proof of health insurance
- Biometric passport photos
What people often miss
- Not every degree qualifies; it must be recognised or comparable to a German one.
- An incomplete file is the most common cause of delay.
- Shortage occupations carry a lower salary threshold, which is easily overlooked where a role qualifies for it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EU Blue Card the same as the Blaue Karte?
Can I get an EU Blue Card in any German city, like Cologne?
How is the Blue Card different from a normal work visa?
Does German help?
Can my family join me?
This is general information about German rules and procedures, not legal or immigration advice. For your own situation, speak to an immigration lawyer or your local Ausländerbehörde.
Related guides
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) in Germany
What the Opportunity Card is, who it's for, and how this points-based route lets skilled people come to Germany to look for work without a job offer first.
Residence Permits in Germany: How to Apply
The difference between an entry visa and a residence permit, what the immigration office expects, how appointments work, and how to keep your stay legal while you wait.
Health Insurance in Germany: Public vs. Private
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Understand how public (GKV) and private (PKV) cover differ, who can choose which, and how to get insured as a newcomer.
Anmeldung in Germany: How to Register Your Address
What the Anmeldung is, why it unlocks your tax ID, bank account, and residence permit, the documents you need, and how to book the appointment.
Moving to Germany: The Complete Checklist
A clear checklist for moving to Germany — the typical order of address registration, health insurance, banking, tax ID, and your residence permit, and why the sequence matters.
Can I Get a German Tax ID Without Anmeldung?
Usually no — the German tax ID (Steuer-ID) is issued automatically after you register your address (Anmeldung). Here's the exception and the process in the meantime.
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