The EU Blue Card remains the primary residence route for qualified non-EU professionals seeking to work in Germany, and the salary thresholds for 2026 have been updated. These thresholds are recalculated each year based on Germany's general pension insurance contribution ceiling, so checking the current figures before applying is essential.

2026 salary thresholds

  • General threshold: €50,700 gross/year (approx. €4,225/month)
  • Reduced threshold for shortage occupations and recent graduates: €45,934.20 gross/year (approx. €3,827/month)

The reduced threshold applies to shortage occupations — including IT, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, medicine and pharmacy — as well as to applicants who completed their qualifying degree within the last three years. Experienced IT professionals without a formal degree may also qualify under Section 18g of the Residence Act, provided they can demonstrate equivalent theoretical knowledge and meet the reduced salary threshold.

Key requirements

  • A recognised degree from a German or foreign university (or the IT exception above)
  • A valid employment contract or binding job offer in Germany
  • Comparability of the foreign degree with a German qualification
  • A salary meeting the applicable threshold (regular, unconditional bonuses may count towards it)

Application steps

  • Confirm the job offer and salary meet the relevant threshold
  • Check degree recognition (initiate an Anerkennung procedure if needed)
  • Apply for a visa (at the relevant German consulate, if applying from abroad)
  • Collect the Blue Card from the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) after entry
  • Apply separately for family members, who benefit from simplified family reunion rules

Advantages

Blue Card holders can qualify for permanent residence faster than under standard permits (after 21 or 33 months, depending on German language level), family members benefit from facilitated reunion conditions, and mobility between employers and within the EU is comparatively flexible.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Thresholds change annually, so applications should be assessed against current figures.

Turkut Legal manages EU Blue Card applications from start to finish — from assessing whether a job offer meets the relevant threshold, to degree recognition, the visa process and family reunion. To assess which threshold and pathway applies to your situation, get in touch with us. Counsel available in Turkish, English and German.