The German government has announced the minimum salary requirements that foreign professionals must meet to qualify for an EU Blue Card in 2026.
Applicants seeking employment in Germany’s shortage occupations will be subject to a lower salary threshold compared with those applying for jobs in other fields.
To qualify, applicants must have a German academic qualification or a recognised foreign degree and secure a job offer in Germany lasting for at least six months.
For 2026, Germany has set the minimum gross annual salary requirement at €50,700, equivalent to approximately ₦86.6 million, for foreign workers seeking an EU Blue Card.
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit designed for non-German academics and highly qualified professionals seeking skilled employment in Germany.
Who qualifies for the EU Blue Card?
Applicants must have a German academic qualification or a foreign degree recognised as equivalent.
Those without a formal university degree may also qualify if they have completed a tertiary-level qualification that required at least three years of study.
In Germany, such qualifications must meet at least Level 6 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011) or the European Qualifications Framework.
Applicants must also have a concrete employment offer from a German company. The position must correspond with their field of study, last for at least six months and meet the required salary threshold.
For regulated professions, applicants must have the necessary licence to practise or demonstrate that the licensing process is underway when applying for the visa.
Lower salary threshold for shortage occupations
Foreign workers seeking jobs in Germany’s shortage occupations may qualify for an EU Blue Card under a reduced annual salary threshold of €45,934.20, approximately ₦78.5 million, subject to approval by the Federal Employment Agency.
The lower threshold is intended to address Germany’s demand for skilled workers in areas experiencing labour shortages.
According to the government, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community reviews and publishes the applicable salary thresholds annually.