One of the most popular and in-demand residencies in Germany is the German EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte in German) for work, issued to non-EU nationals who have a university education and will work in skilled positions in Germany. One of the main criteria to be eligible for a Blue Card is that the applicant’s salary must be higher than the national average.
Who is eligible for an EU Blue Card for Germany?
There are a few important criteria you need to meet to apply for the German Blue Card.
- Relevant Academic and Professional Qualifications
You must have a higher education degree – it can either be from a German university or a university that is recognised by, and in, Germany. There are professions which are more closely regulated, like health, law, teaching and engineering, making it mandatory to be regulated.
- A Job Based On Your Qualifications
Having a job isn’t enough for a Blue Card; the role you’ll be taking on must be based on your academic qualifications. You must have a concrete job offer from a German employer; self-employment is not an option for a German Blue Card.
To apply, you need to submit a legal work contract, stating the position and salary you’re being offered.
- Rule of thumb: Your Salary Needs to be at least 1.5 times the national average
The salary you will receive must be at least one-and-a-half times the national salary average in Germany. As it stands, in 2022, you must be earning a minimum gross salary (before tax) of €56.400 – down from €56.800 in 2021.
There is an exception to this rule. There are certain specialised fields where Germany has a shortage of skilled labourers – Science, Medicine, Engineering, IT, to name a few. In this case, you might receive a Blue Card if your salary is at least €44.304 per year. To get an EU Blue Card with a lower salary, you need approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
Blue card benefits
Blue Card has a lot of benefits for expats working and living in Germany. Some of them are:
- German language is not required
- Opportunity to relocate the whole family
- Ability to quickly obtain a permanent residence permit (after 33 or 21 months with the right prerequisites)
How to get the German EU Blue Card?
You can only obtain an EU Blue card from the Foreigner’s Office in Germany. Once you have a confirmed job offer, you have to approach the GErman embassy in your country to obtain an entry visa. You can only get your Blue Card once you’re in the country. To ensure that your process goes smoothly, and for us to facilitate your application, reach out to us jaberi@jaberilawyers.com
