Updated:

25.09.2026

Guide: Blue Card for Germany 🇩🇪

Main requirements

  • Term of receipt: 1-2 months
  • Requirements: €3,775+ per month
  • Work: employer or payroll company  in Germany
  • Contract: long-term, at least for 1 year or indefinite
  • Education: higher education diploma or confirmed work experience

Blue Card is a visa in Germany for highly skilled professionals in any field. The key requirement for this visa is having a valid job contract with a German employer or payroll company. The minimum salary is €45,300 per year or €3,775 per month. For IT specialists it is enough to obtain a residence permit with either a university degree diploma or a CV demonstrating 3 years of work experience. And any recognized higher education degree in Germany for specialists from other fields. The Blue Card application process in Germany is usually swift, with the German consulate processing time for blue card just a couple of weeks.

🤑 You must have a long-term (at least 1 year or indefinite) contract with a company inside of Germany. It could be a German legal entity or payroll-company incorporated in Germany, so it is possible to obtain a Blue Card even if you have an employer in another country, with the exception of Russia and Belarus.

The Blue Card is issued for the duration of the employment contract. If the contract is indefinite, it is immediately granted for 4 years. After residing in Germany for 21 months and achieving a B1 level proficiency in the German language, you can apply for blue card Germany permanent residency, and in some cases, even terminate your employment contract. With basic knowledge of the German language, this period is extended to 27 months.

👪 You can relocate and legalize your whole family at once without the need for subsequent reunification procedures. Unlike some other visas, the consulate does not require a language certificate at the A1 level from your partner.
Main requirements for blue card EU Germany
  • It is mandatory to have an employer in Germany throughout the entire duration of the Blue Card (although after 21-28 months, when you obtain permanent residency, you can opt out of it). This can be a real employer who pays you a salary, or it can be a payroll company in Germany between your foreign employer and yourself (e.g., Deel). Fake contracts are strictly prohibited and may be checked by immigration authorities.
  • The minimum salary requirement for blue card in Germany is €45,300 per year or €3,775 per month. For in-demand professions, the threshold is reduced to €41,042 gross per year. This income allows you to obtain visas for the entire family.
  • If you have an IT profession, you can apply even without a higher education degree. Instead, simply provide your CV and prove three years of work experience in the field.
  • For non-IT specialists it needs to have any recognized higher education degree in Germany.
💡 Confirmation of higher education diploma or work experience, employment contract or Job offer, CV, entry medical insurance are necessary.

What does a typical process look like:

1

Preparation of Documents

Employment Contract or Job Offer, confirmation of higher education diploma, confirmation of work experience, CV, health insurance

2

Visa application

Submit your application to the consulate or VFS.

3

ABH Application

Upon arrival in Germany, apply at the ABH. Simply arrive on the designated date (usually ∼3 month after arrival) and provide the documents.

4

Wait for your Residence Card

On average, getting your residence card may take up to 6 months in some cases and lands

Step-by-step guide

Check-list for Blue Card Germany application in your country consulate or visa center

  • Make an appointment
  • International passport
  • Higher education diploma
  • Confirmation of work experience
  • Employment contract or Job offer
  • CV
  • Health insurance
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