Germany has been updating the EU Blue Card rules for foreign skilled workers holding university degrees to come and work in the country. The EU Blue Card is a special residence permit for skilled workers from outside the EU who want to do jobs in an EU country. To get this card, applicants must have a university degree and a job contract from a German employer that meets a minimum salary requirement.

The salary required for an EU Blue Card has been lowered. In 2025, workers in shortage occupations and new graduates need a minimum salary of €43,759.80 per year (45.3% of the annual pension insurance assessment ceiling). For all other jobs, the minimum salary is €48,300 (50% of the ceiling).

Most foreign workers can now apply for an EU Blue Card. For example, university graduates from the past three years can get the card if their salary meets the lower threshold of €43,759.80. This applies to both regular and shortage occupations.

IT specialists without a university degree can now qualify for an EU Blue Card if they have at least three years of relevant work experience. In this case, they must earn at least €43,759.80 per year, the same threshold as shortage occupations.

The list of shortage occupations has been expanded. In addition to existing fields like mathematics, IT, science, engineering, and medicine, other jobs now eligible for an EU Blue Card include manufacturing, construction, IT service management, child care, health services, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, midwifery, and teaching.

EU Blue Card holders from other EU countries can now stay in Germany for up to 90 days for work-related activities without needing a visa or a work permit. Those who have held an EU Blue Card in another EU country for at least 12 months can move to Germany without a visa but must apply for a German EU Blue Card upon arrival.

Workers in qualification programs can now work up to 20 hours per week, instead of the previous limit of 10 hours. This makes it easier for them to find employment while completing their training.

Skilled workers and those with specialized practical experience can now work in Germany without having their qualifications formally recognized. They must have at least two years of work experience and a job offer with an annual salary of at least €43,470 in 2025.

IT specialists now need only two years of work experience to qualify for jobs in Germany. They do not need a formal qualification and must earn at least €43,470 per year.

Foreigners with less than three years of nursing training can now work in the healthcare sector. German nursing and care assistants can also apply for a 12-month job-seeker visa, which can be extended by six months if they can support themselves financially.

Residence Permits for Skilled Workers

There are also changes to residence permits for skilled workers with vocational or academic qualifications. Now, if applicants meet all requirements, they are entitled to receive a residence permit. Additionally, they are no longer limited to jobs strictly related to their qualification.

The residence permit for completing qualification programs has been extended from 18 months to 24 months, with a possible extension of 12 more months, allowing a maximum stay of three years. These programs help foreign workers gain full recognition for their qualifications through further training.

Foreign skilled workers with a residence permit under specific sections of Germany’s immigration law can now apply for permanent residence (settlement permit) after three years instead of four. EU Blue Card holders can get a settlement permit after 27 months, or after 21 months if they have at least B1-level German language skills.

Those who completed university or vocational training in Germany can still apply for a settlement permit after two years of working in a qualified job.