EU blue card
Skilled workers with a German, a recognised foreign degree or a degree that is comparable to a German degree can obtain an EU Blue Card. They also need to earn a minimum annual salary.
The EU Blue Card is a fixed-term residence permit that simplifies getting a job in Germany and is usually issued for four years first of all. If the employment is for less than four years, i.e. it is fixed-term, the Blue Card is issued for the length of the employment plus three months. The residence permit can then be extended.
The EU Blue Card may expire if the employment is terminated or is otherwise to come to an end. If this happens, contact the Aliens' Registration Authority immediately. The same also applies if you want to change jobs.
If you have been employed for 33 months and also currently hold an EU Blue Card, a permanent residence permit may be issued. If B1-level linguistic competence can be demonstrated, the permanent residence permit may be issued after 21 months. Additionally, contributions to pension insurance must be made for the above periods and the further conditions pursuant to section 9, paragraph 2, page 1, number 2 and 4 to 9 of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) satisfied.
After 28 months holders of an EU Blue Card are entitled to move to another EU country, with the exception of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark. This is possible in almost all EU countries without having to apply for a visa. Further, the holder of the EU Blue Card may reside outside the EU for up to twelve months without losing the right of residence in Germany and the EU.
Further information on the EU Blue Card and the current minimum salaries can be found here.
