Germany May Introduce Income Requirements for Migrants to Obtain Residence Permits

The Christian Social Union (CSU) manifesto proposes introducing income requirements for residence permit applicants in Germany. This policy could be enacted if the CSU wins the upcoming elections scheduled for late February, I am Expat reports. Similar income thresholds already apply to Blue Card holders, permanent residence applicants, and those seeking German citizenship.

Representatives of the CSU’s Bavarian branch believe that foreigners seeking residence permits in Germany should not rely on social benefits but should be financially self-sufficient. The leaked manifesto outlines additional measures to curb illegal immigration, including empowering border officials to deny entry to migrants attempting to enter Germany from a third "safe" country without proper documentation or justification.

The CSU aims to leverage Germany's right to return asylum seekers to safe countries and impose an effective ban on entry for illegal migrants. The document states that anyone arriving from an EU member state or another safe third country is considered to be “no longer at risk.” The party also plans to grant police and border authorities the right to access mobile devices of all individuals entering Germany illegally.

These measures would affect both newcomers and those already legally residing in Germany. The CDU/CSU government may also revoke recently arrived Ukrainian refugees' eligibility for unemployment benefits (Bürgergeld). Furthermore, the party intends to draft a “roadmap” for repatriating Syrian citizens to their home country after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Family reunification programs for Syrian nationals would be suspended, and individuals with criminal records would face deportation.

The Christian Democrats and Christian Socialists also advocate for repealing the dual citizenship law, limiting it to EU citizens or granting exceptions in rare cases, AUSnews notes. If the law is fully repealed, the naturalization period would revert from five years to the previous eight years. The CDU/CSU alliance leads in polls with 31% of votes, making them strong contenders to form Germany’s next coalition government.

As of January 1, 2025, Germany has increased salary requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card by 6.6% compared to 2024. The minimum annual salary now stands at €48,300 for most professions, up from €45,300. For specialists in high-demand sectors such as IT, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), construction, and education, the threshold has risen from €41,042 to €43,760. However, salary requirements for young professionals remain unchanged at €41,041.80.

The German Blue Card is available to foreign nationals with a university degree or equivalent qualification. Applicants must have a job offer in the EU meeting the minimum salary requirements and work in an industry approved by the Federal Employment Agency for high-demand professions.

Additionally, Germany recently launched a consular services portal to simplify the national visa application process. The system covers 167 visa offices and German embassies worldwide, allowing applicants to submit their forms electronically and potentially reducing wait times.

In 2025, visa applicants can choose between online submission through the portal or an in-person visit to a German consulate. In both cases, applicants must visit a consulate after their initial application is approved to confirm their identity and provide biometric data.

Germany, along with other EU countries, is expected to implement the Entry/Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals in 2025. However, this rollout has faced multiple delays. Initially scheduled for November 2024, the start date was postponed as several EU nations stated they were not ready to integrate with the system.

Experts predict that Germany’s political shifts will result in stricter immigration laws. Many recent liberalizations may be reversed as part of this trend, which is gaining traction not only in Germany but across the EU and other nations. For example, the United States has already implemented new measures to restrict foreign entry under Donald Trump’s administration.

Germany’s evolving policies reflect broader global trends, focusing on more stringent controls and reduced benefits for migrants and asylum seekers.