EU Blue Card
Definition
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified workers from outside the EU, issued by each participating EU country under common EU rules, for a job that meets a national minimum salary. In Germany doctors, dentists, pharmacists and academically trained nurses can use a lower salary threshold, but a licence to practise is also required.
Also called: Blue Card, Blaue Karte EU, European Blue Card, EU Blue Card Germany, Europese blauwe kaart
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What is the EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for people with a university degree, or in some countries equivalent qualifications, who have a qualified job offer in an EU member state that applies the scheme. Each country issues its own Blue Card and sets its own salary threshold each year.
For health professionals, the Blue Card is a residence title, not a permission to practise. In Germany, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs explains that if a licence to practise is required, as it is for doctors, it must be presented or have been promised when the Blue Card application is made. That means Approbation or a Berufserlaubnis for doctors.
The Blue Card in Germany
Make it in Germany sets out these requirements for 2026:
- a German degree, or a foreign degree that is equivalent or comparable
- a job offer or contract of at least 6 months in a job matching that qualification
- a gross salary of at least €50,700 a year, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and for graduates within 3 years of graduating
The Federal Employment Agency lists medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists and academic and equivalent nursing and midwifery professionals among the shortage occupations. At the lower threshold, the Agency must approve the job; at the standard threshold, it does not. The card is normally issued for up to 4 years, or for the contract length plus 3 months if shorter, and can be extended. Holders can get a settlement permit after 27 months with German at level A1, or after 21 months with level B1.
BAMF says spouses of Blue Card holders receive a residence title without having to show German language skills and may work without restriction. It also says citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK and the USA can enter Germany without a visa and apply for the Blue Card within 3 months of arrival; most other nationals need a visa first.
The Blue Card in the Netherlands
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) sets the 2026 gross monthly salary, excluding holiday allowance, at €5,942, or a reduced €4,754 where the lower criterion applies. Many Dutch employers instead use the highly skilled migrant permit. Health professionals in protected professions must also hold BIG registration to practise.
How to get it in Germany
- Get your degree recognised or confirmed as comparable, and for doctors start the Approbation process.
- Sign a qualifying contract.
- Apply for a national visa at the German mission. Make it in Germany states a visa fee of €75.
- After arrival, register your address and apply to the local foreigners authority for the Blue Card before your entry visa expires.
Common problems
- No licence to practise. A Blue Card cannot replace Approbation for doctors.
- Nursing degrees. The lower threshold refers to academic and equivalent nursing professionals; many nurses instead use other skilled worker permits or the recognition partnership.
- Outdated thresholds. Salary figures change every calendar year.
See our Germany page and the Kenntnisprüfung guide for the recognition side.
Questions
Yes. Doctors are on the list of shortage occupations that can use the lower salary threshold of €45,934.20 in 2026. They also need Approbation or a temporary permit to practise, which must be presented or promised when they apply.
The German shortage list includes academic and equivalent nursing and midwifery professionals. Nurses whose training is not at degree level usually use other residence permits for skilled workers.
Make it in Germany sets €50,700 a year as the standard threshold and €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and recent graduates. The figures are updated each calendar year.
In Germany it is normally issued for up to 4 years, or for the length of the contract plus 3 months if shorter, and can be extended while the conditions are met.
The Federal Employment Agency says holders can get a settlement permit after 27 months with German at level A1, or after 21 months with level B1.
No. The scheme follows common EU rules, but each country sets its own salary thresholds and procedures. In the Netherlands, for example, the IND publishes a monthly salary requirement.