Enter the gross annual salary from your contract and your profile. You see whether it meets the 2026 Blue Card threshold, how much is missing and what you take home.
The EU Blue Card is the main residence permit for qualified professionals from outside the EU. You need a recognised university degree (or, in IT, at least three years of relevant experience), a job offer that matches your qualification, a contract of at least six months and a salary above the threshold.
The standard threshold is €50,700 gross per year. A lower threshold of €45,934.20 applies to shortage occupations (for example engineers, scientists, doctors, nurses, teachers and IT professionals), to graduates whose degree is less than three years old and to IT specialists without a degree. Under the lower threshold the Federal Employment Agency has to approve the job.
Blue Card holders can get permanent residence after 27 months, or after 21 months with German at level B1. Family members may join without proving German skills, and spouses may work without restrictions.
The skilled worker permit for people with a recognised degree or vocational training has no general salary minimum, but applicants aged 45 or older need at least €55,770 per year or proof of adequate pension provision.
€50,700 gross per year in general and €45,934.20 for shortage occupations, recent graduates and IT specialists without a degree.
Yes. It is tied to the German pension contribution ceiling and usually rises each January. A Blue Card already issued is not affected.
Only fixed, contractually guaranteed payments count. Variable bonuses usually do not.