Route: skilled worker and EU Blue Card

Blue Card, skilled-worker permits, salary thresholds 2026 and the fast-track procedure – no quota.

This route needs a job offer from a German employer and a qualification Germany accepts. Unlike the Western Balkans rule it has no annual quota.

EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG)

• Regular threshold 2026: €50,700 gross a year.
• Lower threshold: €45,934.20 for shortage occupations (for example STEM, doctors, nurses, teachers) and for career starters. Here the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve.
• IT specialists without a degree but with at least 3 years of comparable experience within the last 7 years can also get a Blue Card at the lower threshold (BA newsletter 03/2026).
• Your degree must be German, recognised, or comparable: an anabin printout or a ZAB Statement of Comparability, see Recognition.
• Settlement permit (§ 18c (2)) after 27 months with German at A1, or 21 months with B1, plus pension contributions.

Other permits

• § 18a (vocational qualification) and § 18b (degree): recognition in Germany, a job offer and, as a rule, BA approval.
• Experience route (§ 19c (2) with § 6 BeschV) for non-regulated jobs: a state-recognised qualification from your country (at least 2 years of training, or a degree), at least 2 years of experience in the last 5 years, salary at least €45,630 (not needed with a collective agreement).
• Regulated professions (doctors, nurses, teachers) always need German recognition: see Recognition and Other routes.
• Age 45 or over for a first permit (not Blue Card): salary of at least €55,770 in 2026, or proof of adequate pension provision.

Steps

1. Check your degree in anabin; if needed, apply to the ZAB: Recognition.
2. Find a job through the official portals: the BA job board and Make it in Germany.
3. Apostille or legalisation and translations: Documents.
4. Visa at the German mission in your country: Visa application.
5. Residence permit at the immigration office of Berlin (Landesamt für Einwanderung, LEA): After arrival.

Fast-track procedure (§ 81a)

Only the employer can start it, at LEA Berlin (Business Immigration Service), with your power of attorney. Fee €411 plus the €75 visa fee. Target times in guidance are not deadlines set in the statute.