Job Spectra
Germany EU Blue Card for Indians: qualification and salary rules (§18g)
Under §18g of the German Residence Act you need a university-level qualification (at least three years of tertiary study) and a job paying at least 50% of the annual pension contribution assessment ceiling. A lower threshold of 45.3% applies, with Federal Employment Agency consent, to certain shortage occupations and to graduates within three years of their degree.
What do you need for a Germany EU Blue Card?
Under §18g of the German Residence Act you need a university-level qualification (at least three years of tertiary study) and a job paying at least 50% of the annual pension contribution assessment ceiling. A lower threshold of 45.3% applies, with Federal Employment Agency consent, to certain shortage occupations and to graduates within three years of their degree.
The rules in §18g
The ceiling is an amount in euros that the government updates every year. Check the current figure and the resulting salary on the official Make it in Germany site before you apply.
| Requirement | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Qualification | A skilled worker with an academic qualification: tertiary education equivalent to a university degree requiring at least three years, at ISCED 2011 level 6 or EQF level 6. |
| Salary: regular rule | At least 50% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) of the general pension insurance, without labour agency approval. |
| Salary: lower threshold | At least 45.3% of that ceiling, with labour agency consent, for two groups: specified shortage occupations (ISCO-08 groups 132, 133, 134, 21, 221, 222, 225, 226, 23 and 25) and graduates who earned their degree within three years before applying. |
| Employment duration | A job lasting at least six months. |
| Changing jobs | You can change jobs without permission after the first 12 months. |
How it fits with the other German routes
The Blue Card needs a job offer first. If you do not have one yet and hold a recognised foreign qualification, the Opportunity Card lets you search in Germany. The comparison of §20 and §20a explains how the permits differ.
Before you accept a German job offer
- Get the offer and contract in writing, with the salary stated per year.
- Check that your degree is recognised, using the official recognition information.
- Do not pay anyone for a Blue Card or promise of one. The employer offers the job; the immigration authorities decide.
- If an Indian agency is involved in recruiting you, check that it is registered.
Official sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Information only, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer for the EU Blue Card?
Yes. The Blue Card is tied to employment, and §18g requires a job of at least six months that meets the salary threshold.
What is the Blue Card salary threshold?
At least 50% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling of the general pension insurance, or 45.3% for specified shortage occupations and recent graduates with Federal Employment Agency consent.
Can I change employer on a Blue Card?
After the first 12 months you can change jobs without permission, under §18g.
Is the salary threshold a fixed euro amount?
No. It is a percentage of the pension contribution assessment ceiling, which changes every year, so check the current euro figure on the official site.