EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG)
For skilled workers with a recognised university degree and a concrete job offer above the salary threshold. The fastest route to a settlement permit.
Skilled immigration to Germany
We advise and represent employers, companies and international skilled workers on entry, employment and long-term residence in Germany.
For employers and skilled workers
We support EU Blue Card, skilled-worker visas, fast-track procedures, opportunity card, recognition of foreign qualifications and family reunification.
Residence permits for skilled workers at a glance
Since the 2023/2024 reform of the Skilled Immigration Act (FEG), international skilled workers have several routes to Germany. The right permit depends on qualification, professional experience and salary offer:
Opportunity Card (§ 20a AufenthG)
A points-based route for job-seeking in Germany — even without an existing job offer.
Skilled worker visa §§ 18a/18b AufenthG
For skilled workers with vocational training or a university degree and a concrete, qualification-matching job offer.
EU Blue Card: salary thresholds 2026
Minimum salaries for the EU Blue Card are tied to the annual social security contribution ceiling and are updated each year:
€50,700standard threshold gross/year (2026), all occupations
€45,934reduced threshold for shortage occupations & recent graduates
21 monthsto a settlement permit with B1 German
4 weekstarget processing time in the fast-track procedure
Shortage occupations with the reduced threshold include IT specialists, engineering, natural sciences, human medicine and certain management roles in production, logistics and healthcare. Since the reform, IT specialists can also obtain the EU Blue Card without a formal degree if they can show at least three years of relevant professional experience within the last seven years. As thresholds change annually, we check the currently applicable figures before every application.
Fast-track skilled worker procedure (§ 81a AufenthG) at the LEA Berlin
For employers in Berlin, the fast-track procedure runs through the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). The employer authorises the authority to communicate directly with the German mission abroad and, where relevant, the Federal Employment Agency — the skilled worker does not need to coordinate the intermediate steps personally. The aim is significantly shorter processing than the standard visa route. We support companies from granting the power of attorney through pre-checking qualifications to arranging the appointment at the German mission.
Recognition of foreign qualifications
Many residence titles require proof that a foreign qualification is equivalent to a German one. University degrees are pre-checked via the "anabin" database of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education, while regulated vocational qualifications are recognised via the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) or the relevant chamber. We assess early on whether formal recognition is required or whether an alternative route — for example for IT specialists with relevant experience — is available.
Family reunification for skilled workers
Holders of the EU Blue Card benefit from significant simplifications for family reunification: spouses can join without proof of German language skills and gain immediate, unrestricted access to the labour market upon issue of their residence permit — without a priority check by the Federal Employment Agency.
Frequently asked questions about skilled immigration
EU Blue Card or Opportunity Card — which fits me?
If you already have a concrete, sufficiently paid job offer, the EU Blue Card is generally the faster and more predictable route. If you want to explore the German job market on-site first, the points-based Opportunity Card is usually the better fit.
Do I need to pass a German test for the EU Blue Card?
No, German language skills are not mandatory for issuing the EU Blue Card itself. However, B1 skills shorten the waiting time for the later settlement permit.
Does the LEA Berlin also handle approval from the Federal Employment Agency?
For the EU Blue Card, separate approval from the Federal Employment Agency is usually not required. For the reduced salary threshold in shortage occupations, or for IT specialists without a formal degree, the Agency carries out a comparability check of working conditions.
What happens if the salary falls below the minimum threshold?
If the actual salary paid during employment falls below the relevant threshold, this can create immigration-law risks for both employee and employer. We recommend that companies review salary bands annually against the current thresholds.
Legal basis: §§ 18a, 18b, 18g, 20a, 81a Residence Act (AufenthG) in conjunction with the Employment Ordinance (BeschV). Salary thresholds as of 2026, updated annually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. All information is provided without guarantee and does not replace individual legal advice.
Coordination with authorities
We handle legal preparation and communication with immigration offices, recognition bodies, the Federal Employment Agency and German embassies.
✓ Representation throughout Germany
✓ German, English, Russian, Ukrainian and Arabic
✓ Clear fees before instruction
✓ Proceedings before authorities, embassies and courts