Germany EU Blue Card income requirement 2026: how much you need (calculator)
Minimum for the main applicant (standard threshold): €50,700 a year (€4,225 a month)
Official source: Bekanntmachung zu § 18g des Aufenthaltsgesetzes über die Mindestgehälter für die Blaue Karte EU vom 2. Dezember 2025 (BAnz AT 18.12.2025 B3) (Federal Ministry of the Interior, Bundesanzeiger) · checked on 10 October 2026
Germany's EU Blue Card for university graduates (and some IT specialists) with a qualified job offer. Official name: Blaue Karte EU.
How the amount is calculated
Rule: 50% of the annual contribution ceiling of the statutory pension insurance = €50,700 gross a year in 2026.
Income that counts: Gross annual salary in the job offer (fully variable bonuses do not count).
Calculator
Not immigration or legal advice. These are the minimum amounts written in the official rules on the date we checked them. Requirements change, and consulates and immigration offices can ask for more or assess your documents differently: always check the official page or ask the consulate before you apply.
All categories
| Category | A month | A year | A year in USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard threshold | €4,225 | €50,700 | USD 56,642.04 |
| Reduced threshold: shortage occupations, graduates of the last 3 years, IT specialists | €3,827.85 | €45,934.20 | USD 51,317.69 |
Rules: Standard threshold: 50% of the annual contribution ceiling of the statutory pension insurance = €50,700 gross a year in 2026. Reduced threshold: shortage occupations, graduates of the last 3 years, IT specialists: 45.3% of the annual contribution ceiling = €45,934.20 gross a year in 2026 (shortage occupations, people who graduated less than 3 years ago, and IT specialists under § 18g(2) of the Residence Act).
Family members
Family members: The Blue Card threshold is a salary for the job holder: it does not increase with family members.
Calculated from the rule above · official source checked on 10 October 2026
In your currency
| Currency | Main applicant, a month | A year |
|---|---|---|
| EUR Euro | €4,225 | €50,700 |
| USD US dollar | USD 4,720.17 | USD 56,642.04 |
| GBP Pound sterling | £3,522.81 | £42,273.66 |
| CAD Canadian dollar | CAD 6,593.54 | CAD 79,122.42 |
| AUD Australian dollar | AUD 6,719.44 | AUD 80,633.28 |
| NZD New Zealand dollar | NZD 8,375.22 | NZD 100,502.61 |
| INR Indian rupee | INR 448,204.90 | INR 5,378,458.80 |
| PHP Philippine peso | PHP 300,579.18 | PHP 3,606,950.10 |
| ZAR South African rand | ZAR 78,777.24 | ZAR 945,326.85 |
| BRL Brazilian real | BRL 25,642.37 | BRL 307,708.44 |
| MXN Mexican peso | MXN 89,247.63 | MXN 1,070,971.59 |
| TRY Turkish lira | TRY 235,761.34 | TRY 2,829,136.05 |
| CNY Chinese yuan | CNY 31,402.74 | CNY 376,832.82 |
| SGD Singapore dollar | SGD 6,034.15 | SGD 72,409.74 |
| JPY Japanese yen | JPY 742,248 | JPY 8,906,976 |
Converted with the European Central Bank reference rates of 30 October 2026 (updated automatically every working day). Indicative only: consulates may use another rate or ask for the amount in euros.
Good to know
- With the reduced threshold the Federal Employment Agency must usually approve the job.
- Monthly figures are the annual amount divided by 12.
Official sources
- Bekanntmachung zu § 18g des Aufenthaltsgesetzes über die Mindestgehälter für die Blaue Karte EU vom 2. Dezember 2025 (BAnz AT 18.12.2025 B3) – Federal Ministry of the Interior, Bundesanzeiger, official gazette PDF, checked on 10 October 2026
What it says: Minimum gross salary 2026: €50,700 a year (§ 18g(1) sentence 1); €45,934.20 a year (§ 18g(1) sentence 2 and § 18g(2)). - Blaue Karte EU – Erteilung (Service Berlin) – State of Berlin, immigration office, authority page, checked on 10 October 2026
What it says: 2026: €4,225 gross a month (€50,700 a year); shortage occupations €3,827.85 a month (€45,934.20 a year).
Spotted a change in the official amount? Tell us.
Compare: other work permit / eu blue cards
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