The Blue Card is a residence permit that allows citizens of developing countries to work in EU member countries and is intended for high-income individuals from non-EU countries.
Am I eligible to apply for a Blue Card?
If the following conditions are met citizens of non-EU member countries can apply for a Blue Card:
Graduated from a German university or from a recognized or comparable foreign university.
Annual income (before tax) in Germany of at least 56.400 € or 4.700 € per month (2022).
Good To Know:
For in-demand jobs such as scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors, and IT professionals the annual income (before tax) must be only at least 43.992 € per year or 3.666 € per month (2022).
What are some of the advantages of a Blue Card?
Dependents (family members) are eligible for immigration to Germany
No German language proficiency requirement
Fast approval - about three months
No immigration supervision
4-year residence permit (after first application)
Shorter period to permanent residence in Germany (between 21 - 33 months)
8 years until naturalization (application allowed after 7 years and 10 months)
German passport (2nd in worldwide ranking) after naturalization with visa-free access to 190 countries worldwide (2022)
What are the benefits of living & working in Germany?
Enjoy the legal benefits and rights directly (excluding the right to vote, the right to be elected, and the right to serve in the military).
Benefit from statutory health, nursing, pension, unemployment, and accident insurance.
Free childcare & education (Kindergarten to University).
What else do I need to know?
The Blue Card has a validity of a maximum of 4 years. Given a labor relationship of fewer than 4 years, the applicant's blue card will be given a time matching the specifications in the labor contract plus a validity period of 3 months.
When do I get the right to apply for a long-term residence permit?
Holders of an EU Blue Card can apply for long-term residence after a minimum of 33 months. People with a certified language level of B1 or higher can apply for a long-term residence after only 21 months.
Will I lose my Blue Card status if I live outside the EU for a long time?
Holders of the Blue Card can stay outside the EU for a maximum of 12 months, during which time they will not lose their right to reside in Germany and Europe. After that, the stay can only be extended by individual application and proof of necessity.
Does the time spent in EU countries outside of Germany count towards the time in the German residence program?
If a foreigner with a Blue Card is already residing in another EU country, this also counts for the time specified in the German long-term residence permit.
Can family members of blue card holders work without restrictions in Germany?
Family members of Blue Card holders can work without restrictions in Germany without waiting time.
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