The EU Blue Card has become one of Germany’s most important residence titles for qualified professionals from outside the EU.
New federal government figures show just how widely it is now being used.
In 2025, Germany issued 54,951 EU Blue Cards under Section 18g of the Residence Act. During the same year, 35,260 residence permits were issued to skilled workers with vocational qualifications under Section 18a and 29,251 to academically qualified professionals under Section 18b. Another 13,606 EU Blue Cards were issued during the first four months of 2026 alone.
The Blue Card is therefore no longer a niche residence permit reserved for a small group of exceptionally highly paid professionals.
Written By:
Hanna Holmberg
Legal Expert
Expertly reviewed by:
Daniel Dirmeier
Attorney at Law / Lawyer
Why is the EU Blue Card so attractive?
The EU Blue Card combines access to the German labour market with a relatively clear long-term residence perspective.
Following the 2023 reform, eligibility was expanded considerably. Certain recent graduates can benefit from a lower salary threshold, while some experienced IT professionals can qualify even without a traditional university degree.
The advantages also continue after the card has been issued.
The EU Blue Card in numbers:
- 54,951 EU Blue Cards were issued in 2025
- Another 13,606 were issued between January and April 2026
- Around 164,000 employees from non-EU countries in social-security employment held an EU Blue Card by mid-2025
- This was an increase of 114 percent compared with 2020
- A settlement permit may be available after 27 months, or after only 21 months with sufficient German language skills
A faster route to permanent residence
EU Blue Card holders can generally qualify for a permanent settlement permit after 27 months of qualifying employment and pension contributions if the other requirements are fulfilled and they have basic German language skills.
With sufficient German, generally B1 level, this period is reduced to only 21 months.
For international professionals planning their future in Germany, this can make the EU Blue Card particularly attractive.
Greater flexibility when changing jobs
Changing employers has also become more flexible.
Blue Card holders generally no longer require prior permission from the immigration authority before changing jobs. During the first twelve months of employment, however, the authority must be informed and may verify that the new position still satisfies the Blue Card requirements.
Greater mobility across Europe
The reformed EU Blue Card also facilitates mobility within the European Union.
A person who has already held an EU Blue Card in another Member State for the required period can, under certain conditions, move to Germany without first completing the usual German visa procedure. Short-term business mobility is also possible under specific conditions.
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The EU Blue Card is not always the only option
A university graduate who does not meet the Blue Card salary threshold may still qualify for another German work residence permit.
Section 18b AufenthG, for example, allows qualified professionals with academic qualifications to obtain a residence permit for qualified employment without the general minimum salary threshold applicable to the Blue Card.
The right residence permit therefore depends on more than the applicant’s degree alone.
Conclusion
54,951 EU Blue Cards issued in one year underline how important the residence title has become to Germany’s skilled-migration system.
Its combination of broader eligibility, increased mobility and a particularly fast route to permanent residence makes it attractive to many international professionals.
Whether it is the best route in an individual case still depends on salary, qualification, profession, graduation date and current immigration status.
Daniel Dirmeier
Daniel Dirmeier, LL.M., founded VISALABS to make German residence law easier, faster and more transparent. Before that, he spent several years at international commercial law firms advising companies on the employment of international professionals.
He has since handled more than 1,000 procedures – from the EU Blue Card to naturalisation. As a certified specialist lawyer for employment law, he understands the needs of both employers and employees.
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