GERMANY - Blue Card Salary Minimums Increased from Jan. 1

Jan. 25, 2013 - Effective Jan. 1, 2013, Germany has raised the annual salary minimum necessary to qualify for a Blue Card. First-year Blue Card holders must now earn at least a salary of €46,400, a slight increase from the previous minimum of €44,800. For shortage occupations, the minimum salary has been increased from €34,944 to €36,192. Occupations on the shortage list include scientists, skilled information technology workers, doctors and engineers.

To apply for the German Blue Card program, a foreign national must have a work contract meeting the above salary requirements and possess a university degree from a German or accredited foreign institution.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Germany. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@balglobal.com.