EU Blue Card Germany 2025: salary thresholds, requirements, and steps
I advise companies and skilled professionals on German immigration and employment law. Below I explain the EU Blue Card in plain language. No jargon. Only what you need to act with confidence.
Why this matters in 2025
The rules are clear but exact. If you get them right at the start, your onboarding is smooth and fast. If you miss a detail, your case stalls. This guide shows the key thresholds for 2025, what to prepare, and how to avoid common delays.
2025 salary thresholds (at a glance)
- Standard threshold: €48,300 gross per year.
- Lower threshold: €43,759.80 gross per year for:
- Shortage occupations (as defined by the authorities).
- New entrants (your last degree was awarded ≤ 3 years ago).
- IT specialists without a degree if you can prove ≥ 3 years of comparable professional experience.
Eligibility basics (keep it simple)
- Job offer / contract: highly qualified employment that matches your qualification, for at least 6 months.
- Qualification: recognised university degree (anabin/ZAB). For IT specialists, proven experience (≥ 3 years) may replace a degree.
- Regulated professions: add the professional licence or preliminary admission (e.g., in healthcare).
- Health insurance: proof of cover (statutory or private). If you arrive before statutory cover starts, carry travel or private cover for the gap.
My step-by-step plan (what I tell clients)
- Role and salary. Check the correct 2025 threshold for your case. Make sure the job title and tasks fit your qualification.
- Recognition. Print the anabin result or obtain a ZAB Statement. For regulated professions, secure the licence steps early.
- BA approval (if lower threshold). Prepare for the authority’s review together with HR.
- Apply for the visa/residence. Use the Blue Card checklist at the competent mission (or the local authority if you are eligible to apply inside Germany).
- Collect the card. It is issued for your contract term plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 4 years. Extensions are possible.
Quick self-check (copy this)
- I meet the correct salary threshold (standard or lower).
- My contract length is at least 6 months.
- My role clearly matches my degree or proven IT experience.
- My documents are ready: contract, recognition (anabin/ZAB), licence if required, health insurance.
- HR understands when BA approval is needed.
Common pitfalls that cause delays
- Title–degree mismatch: the job title and description do not reflect the candidate’s qualification.
- Using the lower threshold without BA coordination: the file lacks the BA approval when required.
- Recognition gaps: no anabin printout or no ZAB statement when the database entry is unclear.
- Insurance gap: arriving before statutory cover starts and not carrying interim cover.
- Wrong assumptions on job changes: switching employer in the first 12 months without notifying the foreigners authority.
Validity, settlement and family
How long the Blue Card lasts
Up to 4 years. If your contract is shorter, the card is issued for the contract duration plus 3 months. You can extend it if conditions remain fulfilled.
Permanent residence (settlement permit)
You can obtain a settlement permit after 27 months if you have German at A1, or after 21 months with B1, provided the other conditions are met (employment, pension contributions, etc.).
Family members
Spouses and minor children can usually join you. For spouses of Blue Card holders, no proof of German language is required at entry. Learning German still helps with daily life and integration.
Changing employer (read this carefully)
- Within the first 12 months: you must notify the local foreigners authority about the new job so they can check the conditions.
- After 12 months: you may change employer without notifying the authority, provided you continue to meet Blue Card conditions.
Tip for HR: align the offer (title, tasks, salary) with the candidate’s qualification to avoid extra rounds.
FAQs
Do recent graduates qualify for the lower salary?
Yes, if your last degree is ≤ 3 years old. The lower threshold applies and BA approval is usually part of the process.
Can I qualify in IT without a university degree?
Yes, if you can prove at least 3 years of comparable professional experience and meet the lower salary threshold.
What is the minimum contract length?
Six months. Shorter offers do not qualify.
How long is the card valid?
Up to four years, or your contract term plus three months if your contract is shorter.
When can I apply for a settlement permit?
After 27 months with A1 German, or after 21 months with B1, assuming other legal criteria are met.
Do my family need German at entry?
For spouses of Blue Card holders, no language proof is required at entry. It is still sensible to learn German early.
Can I change employer freely?
Notify the authority if you change within the first 12 months. After that period, you can change without notification.
Related legal work
I advise at the intersection of migration and employment law, including contract drafting (probation, non-compete, remote work) and HR timelines. This joined-up approach keeps immigration, onboarding and compliance aligned from day one.
Schedule a personal consultation. I will check your eligibility, review your documents, and coordinate the next steps so you can start work on time.
Further reading (official sources)
- Make it in Germany – EU Blue Card
- EU Immigration Portal – EU Blue Card Germany
- BAMF – EU Blue Card (validity and contract length)
- Family reunification – spouses of skilled workers
- Changing employer – first 12 months rule
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not replace individual legal advice.