In implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883, the German legislature has redesigned and expanded immigration options with an EU Blue Card:
- Lowered salary limits: The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card in regular and bottleneck occupations will be significantly lowered. In the future, a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual contribution assessment limit in pension insurance (in 2024: 41,041.80 euros) will apply for the bottleneck professions and those starting out, as well as 50% (in 2024: 45,300 euros) for all other professions.
- Expanded circle of people:
Career starters: The opportunity to receive an EU Blue Card is being opened up to a larger group of people. For example, foreign academics who have acquired a university degree within the last three years can receive an EU Blue Card if their job in Germany brings with them a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual pension insurance contribution assessment limit (in 2024: 41,041.80 euros). This applies to both bottleneck and regular jobs.
IT specialists: What is also new is that IT specialists will be able to receive an EU Blue Card in the future if they do not have a university degree but can demonstrate at least three years of comparable professional experience. In this case, the lower salary threshold applies to professions with shortages (45.3% of the annual contribution assessment limit; in 2024: 41,041.80 euros).
Expansion of the list of bottleneck occupations: The list of bottleneck occupations for the EU Blue Card is being significantly expanded. In addition to the current bottleneck professions (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, engineering and human medicine), skilled workers in the following professional groups will in future also be able to receive an EU Blue Card if the other requirements are met:
- Executives in production in the manufacturing of goods, mining and construction, and logistics
- Managers in the provision of information and communications technology services
- Managers in the provision of specialist services, such as childcare or healthcare
- Veterinarians
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Academic and comparable nursing and midwifery specialists
- Teaching and educational staff in school and extracurricular areas
