The EU Blue Card makes it easier for qualified skilled workers from non-EU countries to work in Germany. Besides qualifications, the decisive factor is a salary threshold that is set for each calendar year. This guide shows which thresholds apply in 2026, how to check your offer and which other points matter in the procedure.
Short answer: For 2026, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior notice of 2 December 2025, published in the Federal Gazette on 18 December 2025, the general salary threshold is 50,700 euros gross per year. The reduced threshold is 45,934.20 euros gross per year. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- The general salary threshold for the EU Blue Card is 50,700 euros gross per year for 2026.
- A reduced threshold of 45,934.20 euros gross per year applies in the cases set out in the law.
- The thresholds refer to the gross annual salary in your employment contract, not your net pay.
- The reduced threshold covers certain occupational groups and graduates whose degree is no more than three years old.
- A separate notice applies for 2027, so wait for it before relying on any figure.
How high is the salary threshold for 2026?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior notice sets two amounts for 2026. Both refer to gross annual salary and apply to the calendar year 2026. The overview summarises them.
| Threshold | Amount per year (gross) | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| General | 50,700 euros | Section 18g (1) sentence 1 AufenthG |
| Reduced | 45,934.20 euros | Section 18g (1) sentence 2 and (2) AufenthG, as stated in the notice |
The law ties the general threshold to half of the annual contribution assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance scheme. The reduced threshold corresponds to roughly 45.3 percent of that ceiling. Take the amounts from the official notice rather than from third-party calculators.
Who falls under the reduced threshold?
Under section 18g AufenthG, the reduced threshold applies to skilled workers with an academic training who work in certain occupational groups, or whose university degree was obtained no more than three years before the application. In these cases the Federal Employment Agency must also consent. The exact occupational groups are listed in the law and should be checked in each case.
For people starting their careers, the three-year rule matters a great deal. If your degree lies further back, you do not automatically fall under the reduced threshold and must reach the general amount.
Worked example: which threshold fits your offer?
The calculation is simple as long as you use the gross annual salary from the contract. The following assumptions show the logic.
Assumption 1: Your offer is 52,000 euros gross per year. That is above the general threshold of 50,700 euros and meets it. Assumption 2: Your offer is 48,000 euros gross per year. That is below the general threshold but above the reduced amount of 45,934.20 euros. The reduced threshold helps only if the legal conditions are met.
A net calculation does not replace this check. For income tax and social security contributions, use the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance (bmf-steuerrechner.de), because the threshold is based on the gross figure.
Which requirements apply besides the salary?
The salary threshold is one criterion among several. The competent authority checks other points that the law regulates, for example qualifications and the employment contract. Which documents are needed depends on the individual case and your country of origin, so the competent German mission abroad or the local immigration office is decisive.
- A valid employment contract or binding job offer stating the gross annual salary
- Proof of your professional or academic qualification
- An overview of the documents the competent authority requires
- Clarification of whether the consent of the Federal Employment Agency is needed in your case
Does the threshold also apply in 2027?
The salary threshold is announced anew each year. The amounts for 2026 apply to that calendar year, and a separate notice governs 2027. The amount for 2027 is only fixed once the Federal Ministry of the Interior publishes its notice. Whether an amendment to the law affects how the threshold is calculated is set out in the current wording of section 18g AufenthG.
Until the notice for 2027 is published, do not use a figure for the coming year that does not come from an official source.
How should you approach the application?
The procedure varies with your country of origin and starting point, and different offices are involved. The following steps give you a structure to agree with the competent authority.
- Check whether your gross annual salary reaches the relevant threshold, and record the amount in the contract.
- Clarify whether the reduced threshold applies by checking your occupational group and the date of your degree.
- Gather documents on qualifications and the employment contract, and have them translated where needed.
- Coordinate the application with the competent German mission abroad or the immigration office.
Because the threshold is tied to the contract, the figure you rely on should be the one written there. Ask the employer to confirm the gross annual amount in writing, and make sure bonuses and other variable parts are described clearly, since they can make the offer harder to assess. The same care applies to start dates and the duration of the contract.
Frequently asked questions
Is 50,700 euros the net or gross salary?
It is a gross amount per year. The threshold refers to the gross annual salary in the employment contract. Your net income depends on tax class, social security contributions and deductions.
Which threshold applies if I have only just finished my degree?
The reduced threshold can apply if your university degree was obtained no more than three years before the application and the other conditions are met. The competent authority checks whether this fits your documents.
Can I start on a lower salary and increase it later?
The competent authority decides which salary counts in the procedure, based on the contract you submit. A later increase does not replace that check. Coordinate with the authority if your salary changes while the procedure is running.
Where can I find more on starting a career?
The guide on applying for your first job (in German) shows the timeline from advert to contract. That helps you place the salary check before you sign.
What to do now
- Compare your gross annual offer with the general and reduced amounts for 2026.
- Check your occupational group and the date of your degree before you rely on the reduced amount.
- Collect your documents and have them translated where required.
- Confirm the process with the competent German mission or immigration office.
Related guides
- Applying for your first job: timeline from advert to contract (in German)
- Pay transparency: when you can request a comparison salary (in German)
- Accepting a job offer: time to decide and checking the contract (in German)
- Health insurance when starting work (in German)
- Termination agreement: blocking period and severance (in German)
Sources: Notice of the Federal Ministry of the Interior on section 18g AufenthG, Federal Gazette AT 18.12.2025 B3 (notice of 2 December 2025, in German); Section 18g AufenthG, EU Blue Card (lxgesetze.de, consolidated text without guarantee, in German); Section 18g AufenthG, official version on gesetze-im-internet.de (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
