Welcome

EU Blue Card – Skilled workers holding a university degree

10.05.2024 - Article

General information

The issuance of an EU Blue Card is based on the requirements set out in Section 18g of the Residence Act. To apply for the EU Blue Card in Germany you need

- a German university degree, a recognized foreign university degree or a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree

- an employment relationship in Germany that matches your professional qualifications and

- a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 48,300 (2025). For bottleneck professions in accordance with Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 of the Residence Act (this includes in particular the areas of natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, human medicine and academic professions in information and communication technology) and new entrants to the labor market (holding a university degree not older than three years), a lower salary threshold of EUR 43,759.80 (2025) applies. In these cases, the consent of the Federal Employment Agency is required.

Online application and appointment booking via the consular services portal

You can apply for the visa for the EU Blue Card online via the Federal Foreign Office's consular services portal. After uploading the application and documents, your information and documents will be checked for completeness and any questions will be clarified with you directly via the consular services portal. Once all documents have been checked online, you will receive an invitation link to book an appointment via the consular services portal.

At the subsequent appointment at the external service provider TLScontact, your identity will be verified, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) recorded, the visa fee has to be paid and your original documents as requested via the consular services portal have to be presented.

Apply online now!

Basic information

For your application we require the following documents:

  • Passport and 1 copy of the data page. If you are a foreigner residing in Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan or the Seychelles, you have to show a valid residence permit for the country of residence.
  • 1 completed and duly signed application form including information provided to applicants pursuant to Section 54 of the Residence Act. A digital application form to be completed online can be found on https://videx-national.diplo.de
  • 2 current, identical biometric passport photos with a white background
  • Curriculum vitae in German or English, gapless
  • Completed form signed by your employer: “Declaration regarding a contract of employment”

    There is a minimum salary requirement for the EU Blue Card which is set once a year by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. In 2025, the minimum salary requirements are:

    • 43,759.80 EUR for bottleneck professions and new entrants
    • 48,300.00 EUR for all other occupations

  • Proof of qualification

    University degree (with supplementary sheet)

  • Proof of recognition of foreign qualification
    • -> Printouts from the anabin database on the qualification and on the institution

      or (if the qualification is not assessed as “entspricht” (comparable) or “gleichwertig” (equivalent) and/or the institution is not classified as “H+”)

      -> Statement of Comparability by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)

      or (in the case of regulated professions in which permission is required to exercise the profession, for example, doctors, engineers; complete list is available from the Federal Employment Agency or the European Commission)

      -> Permission to exercise a profession issued by the authority responsible for recognising qualifications or assurance of permission to exercise a profession (for example, for medical professions: decision of the licensing authority in the federal territory, i.e. assurance of permission to exercise a profession and/or issuing of medical licence)
    • More information on recognition: www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de
  • Proof of incoming health insurance coverage, valid for three months beginning with the date of entry to Germany
  • If applicable: preliminary approval to the visa according to Section 81a of the Residence Act (“Fast-track procedure for skilled workers”) issued by the Foreigners Authority
  • Visa fee in the amount 75 Euros, payable in Kenyan Shillings

This fact sheet reflects the legal situation at the time of drafting it. It is regularly updated but makes no claim to be complete. Authoritative version of the fact sheet is the German version.

Top of page