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Blue Card
The creation of the so-called Blue CardEU in 2012 was intended to facilitate access to the EU labour market for highly qualified foreigners. Since then, foreigners who have a university degree and are working in Germany can obtain a residence title in a comparatively uncomplicated manner. In addition, the Blue Card also offers some advantages for a longer-term stay. In the following, you will find an overview of how to apply for a Blue Card, what you need it for and what long-term prospects exist with one.
The most important facts in a nutshell:
- The Blue Card simplifies access to the European labour market for foreign academics.
- To obtain the Blue Card, you must be able to prove that you have a university degree and a job in Germany.
- The Blue Card is accompanied by further benefits such as simplified family reunification or the receipt of a settlement permit.
What is the Blue Card?
The Blue Card is a temporary residence permit that makes it easier for academics to immigrate to Europe. This is intended to strengthen the EU as a business location. A major advantage of the Blue Card is that it makes it easier to obtain a (permanent) settlement permit later on. Foreigners who are citizens of an EU member state, on the other hand, do not need a Blue Card.
What requirements do I have to fulfil for a Blue Card?
(1) University degree
First of all, you must have a university degree that you either obtained in Germany, that is recognised as a foreign university degree in Germany or that is comparable to a German university degree. You can find out how your university degree is assessed on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education
There you will find a database with assessments of many international higher education degrees.
(2) Employment opportunity
Furthermore, you must prove that you will pursue employment in Germany. This employment must be appropriate to the qualifications acquired through your university degree. In practice, some difficulties can arise here, because often the job requirements are very differentiated and deviate from the knowledge acquired through your studies.
In the event of such problems, it is worthwhile to seek advice from an expert lawyer in advance in order to be able to justify at the time of application that the employment also corresponds to the skills acquired through the studies.
(3) Minimum salary
You must have a certain minimum salary in Germany.
For the year 2022, the amount for this is a gross salary of € 56,400.00 per year (2/3 of the contribution assessment ceiling in the statutory pension insurance).
As a rule, you can provide proof of the minimum salary by submitting your job offer. Please note, however, that the calculation can be difficult in borderline cases:
For example, capital-forming benefits are not taken into account in the minimum salary. However, exceptions apply to certain - particularly urgently needed - occupational groups ("shortage occupations"): For these occupational groups, the gross annual salary in 2022 only has to be € 43,992.00 (52 % of the contribution assessment ceiling in the statutory pension insurance). These professions include, for example, IT specialists, doctors and engineers.
(4) Exceptions
Certain persons are excluded from being issued a Blue Card. These include asylum seekers, persons with refugee status and tolerated persons.
How long is my Blue Card valid?
The period of validity of your Blue Card is indicated on the card. The Blue Card can be issued for up to four years. If you only have a fixed-term employment contract, the Blue Card will only be issued to you for the duration of the employment plus three additional months as a transitional period.
After your Blue Card expires, you can apply for another Blue Card. In many cases, however, it is advisable to apply for a (permanent) settlement permit after the Blue Card expires.
What documents do I need to apply for a Blue Card?
In order to apply for a Blue Card, you will need, in addition to your identity documents, proof that you meet the above-mentioned requirements.
As a rule, your application must include the following documents:
- Copy of passport
- (Biometric) passport photo
- Certificate of your university degree (with certified translation, if necessary)
- Employment contract or letter of intent (must in particular contain information on the type, duration and salary of the job)
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form
- Proof of health insurance
When and where do I apply for the Blue Card?
You must apply for the Blue Card at the competent foreigners authority within one month of your entry. Your entry, on the other hand, is based on the general criteria.
If you come from a foreign country requiring a visa, you will first need a visa to enter the country, which you must first apply for at a German mission abroad.
The granting of the Blue Card is a binding decision:
If the requirements for issuance are met, there is a legal entitlement to receive the Blue Card. It is often worthwhile to consult an expert lawyer when applying for a Blue Card. He or she can help you to submit the application in such a way that the authorities will easily grant your application. However, you should contact a lawyer at the latest when the Blue Card is refused.
What are the advantages of the Blue Card?
In addition to the comparatively uncomplicated acquisition of a residence title, the Blue Card also offers other long-term advantages: for example, it is easier for the holder of a Blue Card to subsequently obtain a settlement permit or to bring family members to Germany.
Settlement permit following the Blue Card
The settlement permit is valid for an unlimited period of time and territory. It allows you to take up both self-employed and employed activities. A prerequisite for being granted a settlement permit following the Blue Card is that you have been employed for 33 months and have paid pension insurance contributions. In addition, you must provide proof of your German language skills. If you have a good knowledge of German (B1 level), the time is even reduced to 21 months.
Family reunification with Blue Card
There are also some advantages with regard to family reunification: For example, spouses of Blue Card holders do not have to prove German language skills. Children of Blue Card holders can also receive a residence permit. Family members of Blue Card holders have the right to pursue gainful employment.
Short & sweet
The EU Blue Card ("Blue Card") makes it easier for foreign academics to obtain a residence title in Germany. For this, in addition to a university degree, you must also prove that you have a job offer with a certain annual salary in Germany. The Blue Card is issued for a period of up to four years. On the one hand, it is easier for Blue Card holders to obtain a (permanent) settlement permit afterwards and to bring their family members to Germany.