EU Blue Card Germany

EU Blue Card Application

Find out how to apply for an EU Blue Card Germany.

As an industrial nation that also happens to be one of the biggest exporters of goods and services worldwide, Germany is in constant need of highly qualified university graduates and trained professionals.

The EU Blue Card allows citizens from outside the European Union to live and work in the EU for 4 years or for the duration of a German employment contract concluded between the applicant and a German employer.

This makes it possible for you to hire foreign highly qualified specialists from all over the world to work for your company.

Our experienced immigration lawyers will be happy to assist you in checking that the prerequisites are met and oversee your candidates‘ applications for an EU Blue Card through the whole application process.

Our Services in regard to the EU Blue Card

  • Guidance through the Application Process

  • Extending a Blue Card

Advantages of the EU Blue Card

The Blue Card offers several advantages compared to regular residence permits. For example, that it is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit after a stay of 33 months. If the cardholder can demonstrate a B1 level of German, it is even possible to apply after just 21 months.

Holders of a German Blue Card will be granted the Blue Card of another EU member state more easily, after a considerably simplified process.

Additionally, family members, spouses and children of Blue Card holders are entitled to a residence permit under relaxed requirements, including an unrestricted working permit.

EU Blue Card Application Requirements

The application usually takes place at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany after your future employees have entered the country on a German Employment Visa of three months. Such a Visa is not required however by citizens from USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Israel, South Korea, and New Zealand.

19a Aufenthaltsgesetz (German Residence Act) specifies the requirements that must be met to obtain a Blue Card. The Blue Card is granted for the purpose of pursuing an occupation that requires highly qualified skills.

Applicants shall provide the following documents:

  • A degree from a German university or a degree that has been recognized as equivalent to such
  • A valid employment contract or a reliable job offer for a highly skilled job
  • Evidence for an annual gross income of at least € 58,400.00 (state: 2023). However, an exception will be made for occupational fields where there is a shortage of skilled labour. Applicants of the following occupations will have to provide evidence of an annual gross income of € 45,552.00 (state: 2023). This applies to Natural scientists, Mathematicians, Engineers, Medical Doctors and trained professionals in information technologies and communication technologies. Additionally, the approval of the German Federal Labour Office is required in these cases.

If a certain permission to practise is required in order to work in a certain occupational field (such as medicine and engineering), this permission will have to be acquired as well.

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, the general visa requirements will have to be met

  • Proof that the applicant’s means of subsistence are covered
  • Possession of a valid passport or substitute passport
  • Proof of identity
  • Absence of reason for deportation
  • Entry into the German state territory took place under a valid entry Visa

Our Services regarding EU Blue Card Applications

Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte (attorneys at law) offer competent support and legal advice during the whole application and issuing process of the EU Blue Card. We will take care of the extensive administrative procedures involved in order to make sure the application process goes as smoothly as possible and there are no delays. On request our services include, among other things, the following:

  • leading you through the application process to make sure that all necessary forms and documents are submitted on time and in the required format
  • accompanying you and the applicant and be present during appointments with the immigration authorities in charge
  • supporting your employees family members, spouses and children in obtaining a residence permit
  • leading them through the process of extending their Blue Card or while applying for the Blue Card of another EU-member-state.
  • assisting in applying for a settlement permit and lead you and them through the whole process from this application to the issue of the permit.

Cost of our services

The cost of our assistance depends on the services requested. On your request, we will make a non-binding, customized offer for the specific EU Blue Card services demanded.

Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte (attorneys at law) consists of a team of experienced lawyers who specialise in immigration law, labour law and contract law. We will assist you throughout the whole application and acquisition process for your EU Blue Card in order to help your employees to settle down in Germany. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Contact us now

„Business Immigration Germany – by Schlun & Elseven“ is a website for all matters of Business Immigration from all over the world to Germany by the renowned German Law firm Schlun & Elseven. Due to our extensive experience in German residence and work permits, family reunification and various immigration cases, we can offer full-service legal advice and comprehensive support you can trust. 

Don’t hesitate to use our contact form. Our lawyers are happy to help you figure out the best way to approach your business immigration process now.

Locations & Office Times

Mo – Fr: 09:00 – 19:00
24h Contact: 0221 93295960
Email: info@se-legal.de
Appointments made by telephone only.

Business Immigration Germany
Düsseldorf

Düsseldorfer Str. 70
40545 Düsseldorf
Tel: +49 211 171 8280
Fax: 0221 932959669

Business Immigration Germany
Cologne

Kyffhäuserstr. 45
50674 Cologne
Tel: +49 221 93295960
Fax: 0221 932959669

Business Immigration Germany
Aachen

Von-Coels-Str. 214
52080 Aachen
Tel: +49 241 4757140
Fax: 0241 47571469

Locations & Office Times

Mo – Fr: 09:00 – 19:00

24h Contact: 0221 93295960

Conference Rooms

Berlin 10785, Potsdamer Platz 10

Hamburg 20354, Neuer Wall 63

München 80339, Theresienhöhe 28

Frankfurt 60314, Hanauer Landstrasse 291 B