If you’re thinking about moving to Germany and you’re from a non-EU (European Union) country, then you might want to consider applying for an EU Blue Card. This card allows qualified workers with university degrees. or equal professional experience for IT roles, who have a concrete work offer in Germany to live in the country without a specific sponsored work visa.
So, let’s dive in and find out more about the EU Blue Card for Germany.
What is an EU Blue Card?
First things first, what actually is an EU Blue Card? Well, it’s a card that allows non-EU nationals to work and live in EU countries, provided that they’ve completed a university or tertiary education degree or have equivalent IT professional experience, and have a job offer in their target country.
This job offer needs to meet specific requirements when it comes to wage and the contract type to be eligible. However, the EU Blue Card is a great way to live and work in an EU member state without necessarily having to secure a sponsored work visa.
Who is Eligible for an EU Blue Card?
The eligibility criteria for an EU Blue Card in Germany are pretty simple.
You need to have:
- Completed a university degree or a professional qualification that is comparable to at least level 6 of the International Standard Classification of Education or level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework.
- Have a job offer in Germany that is longer than six months, in your degree field, and earns at least €45,300 gross annual salary.
- Or secured a position in a “bottleneck” profession with a gross annual salary of €41,041.80. This includes IT professionals who must have worked in the field for three of the last seven years at a university level.
What are the bottleneck professions in Germany?
The bottleneck professions are jobs that typically need a lot of training or are in high demand in Germany. This combination often forms a bottleneck in the job market, meaning that the German government is willing to lower the minimum gross annual salary requirement from €45,300 to €41,041.80.
Bottleneck professions are updated by the Federal Employment Agency (BA) regularly, so check your eligibility on their website. However, at the moment, the following roles and industries are considered to be bottleneck positions:
- Manufacturing managers
- Mining managers
- Construction managers
- Distribution managers
- Information and communications technology service managers
- Professional services managers, such as childcare services, health services, and education managers
- Academic STEM professionals
- Academic professionals in architecture, spatial planning, and transport planning
- Medical doctors
- Veterinarians
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Academic and comparable nursing and midwifery professionals
- School and out-of-school teachers and educators
How Can I Apply for an EU Blue Card?
To apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany, you need to complete the VIDEX online application form and print off an additional hard copy. You’ll also need to book an appointment at your local German embassy or visa application center.
At your appointment, you’ll bring all your documentation with you for verification. Once approved, you’ll be granted a short-term entry visa into Germany.
So, when you arrive, you need to go to your local Residents’ Registration Office to register your new address and then go to the Foreigners’ Authority for your electronic resident’s permit. Here you can get the application forms for the EU Blue Card.
You need to register your address and get your permit within two weeks of arriving in Germany. While it might seem like you’re applying for two visas (and you sort of are), the job-seeking process may be easier than going for a sponsored work visa.
What Documents Do I Need for an EU Blue Card?
Many of the documents that you need for your EU Blue Card are the same as those you’ll need for the initial entry visa application process.
- Your valid passport.
- A biometric passport photo taken within the last six months.
- EU Blue Card application form. This is also called the “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels” (application for a residence permit).
- Declaration on the Employment Relationship, completed by your employer
- Your original employment contract or job offer.
- Proof of German residency, which can be
- Your Certificate of Registration, or
- Your lease and a written confirmation from your landlord.
- Your original University or college diploma.
- Proof of health insurance, private or statutory.
Can I Work While I’m Waiting for My EU Blue Card to Come Through?
No, you cannot work legally in Germany until your EU Blue Card has been approved. You need to factor this timeline into your contract start date with your new company. This process can take between 5-6 weeks from when you submit your application locally in Germany, so it’s not a short timeline.
By this time, you’ll have already had to get your entry visa approved (unless you’re from a select few countries listed below), arrived in Germany, registered your address, and got your resident’s permit.
Can I Change Jobs with an EU Blue Card?
Yes, you can change jobs with an EU Blue Card. Unlike with a sponsored visa, you don’t need to inform the German government unless you’re switching jobs within the first year of holding the card.
If this is the case, you need to contact your local Foreigners’ Authority to check if you still meet all the eligibility criteria for having an EU Blue Card in Germany. Most of the time, this is completely fine if you’re swapping into the same kind of role for over €45,300 in a similar company.
Of course, if you’re changing into a completely different role that isn’t really relevant to your university degree, this may get flagged, and you’ll be invited to apply for a different kind of German work visa instead.
How Long Does an EU Blue Card Last?
The length of your EU Blue Card depends on your work position and contract. Your EU Blue Card lasts for the length of your employment contract plus an additional three months, so you can find another valid and eligible position. This runs for a maximum of four years from when you first receive your card.
However, when you’ve been in Germany for 33 months (just shy of the three-year mark), you can apply for a settlement permit, as long as you can demonstrate that you have at least an A1 level of German language skills.
If you have a B1 level or higher, you can apply for a settlement permit after just 21 months. So, it’s well worth getting that German language practice in and taking official language certificate tests when you can. This way, you won’t have to keep reapplying for visas in order to work in Germany.
How Much is an EU Blue Card?
There is a range of fees for an EU Blue Card depending on the length of your employment contract and who you’re traveling with.
- Up to one year: €110
- More than one year: €110
- Renewal for up to 3 months: €65
- Renewal for over 3 months: €80
- Replacement Card: €60
It’s really important to remember that this does not include the price and costs associated with applying for your initial entry visa. These tend to be €75 when you apply in the first place, and there may be costs for copies of your documents, official translations, and more.
When your EU Blue Card is about to expire, you need to pay to renew it while you find a new job that meets the eligibility criteria outlined above. This might also be the case if your existing contract gets extended or you become a permanent member of staff.
How long does it take to receive an EU Blue Card?
It does take quite a while to receive your EU Blue Card. From when you apply in Germany, it can take between five and six weeks for you to receive your card. While this might not sound like a long time, this doesn’t take into account the lengthy process to get to this point.
Applying for your initial D-Visa to enter Germany with the intention to work, registering your address, and gaining your resident’s permit all take time. It can be months before you even start applying for your EU Blue Card.
Keep in mind that to start this process, you need a concrete job offer. However, you can’t start that job until you’ve received your EU Blue Card. It’s not unlikely to say that you won’t start work for at least three months. You need to be upfront with your new employer about this lead time. It’s okay if it’s a graduate scheme or program, as these are often awarded with months’ notice, but with regular jobs, having a three or four-month notice period can be a bit intense for some businesses.
Do I need a German Visa to apply for an EU Blue Card?
You do not need a German visa to apply for an EU Blue Card if you’re a national of the following countries:
- USA,
- Canada,
- Japan,
- Australia,
- Israel,
- South Korea,
- New Zealand.