Germany Raises Salary Requirements for EU Blue Card in 2025: New Rules and Their Impact

Starting January 1, 2025, Germany introduced higher minimum salary requirements for foreign nationals applying for the EU Blue Card. While this measure aims to attract highly skilled professionals, it also creates additional barriers for potential applicants.

According to the German Federal Government, foreign workers with a job offer in Germany must now meet the following annual gross income thresholds:

€48,300 for most professions (a 6.6% increase from 2024, when the minimum salary was €45,300).
€43,759.80 for specialists in shortage occupations, such as IT, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), construction, education, and others. This threshold has also increased from €41,041.80 in 2024.
The only exception applies to young professionals, for whom the minimum salary requirement remains unchanged at €41,041.80.

The EU Blue Card program is designed to attract highly skilled workers from outside the European Union. It offers numerous benefits, including:
- The ability to change employers without lengthy bureaucratic procedures.
- Simplified family reunification.
- The right to work in other EU member states for short periods without additional work permits.
- The prospect of long-term residency in the EU.

To qualify for an EU Blue Card, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Hold a higher education degree or equivalent qualification.
- Have a job offer in the EU that meets the minimum salary thresholds.
- Work in a field approved by the Federal Employment Agency if the occupation is considered a shortage profession.

In 2023, Germany issued 69,353 EU Blue Cards, making it the leading country in the EU for such permits. This highlights Germany's role as a key destination for highly skilled workers, particularly in fields like IT and engineering.

Advantages:
- Increased salaries for highly skilled professionals.
- Attraction of more qualified talent.
- Strengthening Germany’s position as an innovative hub and global employer.

Risks:
- Higher barriers for skilled professionals from developing countries with lower salary levels.
- Potential decline in interest in the EU Blue Card program from less affluent specialists who could otherwise contribute significantly to the economy.
- Increased competition among EU countries for global talent.

The increase in salary requirements for the EU Blue Card in 2025 underscores Germany's ambition to attract top-tier professionals under competitive conditions. However, this step also raises barriers for many potential migrants, particularly those from countries with lower income levels.

Germany must carefully balance its strict requirements with flexibility and accessibility to maintain the program's appeal. Failing to do so could lead to a loss of interest from global talent and heightened competition with other EU countries offering more accessible conditions. The success of the new policy will depend on Germany's ability to adapt and ensure the program remains attractive to skilled professionals worldwide.