EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)

The EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) is a residence permit for highly qualified non-EU citizens who want to work in Germany. It offers significant advantages over a regular work visa.

Requirements:

• A recognized university degree
• A job offer or employment contract in Germany
• A minimum gross salary of €45,300/year (or €41,041.80 for shortage occupations like IT, engineering, and medicine)

Key benefits:

• Fast-track permanent residency: 21 months with B1 German, or 27 months with A1 German
• Spouse gets immediate, unrestricted work authorization
• After 12 months, you can change jobs freely (just notify the Ausländerbehörde)
• Portable across EU member states after 18 months