Germany EU Blue Card Changes Explained
The German government has approved last week several changes to its immigration policies, in a bid to attract more foreign workers, AtoZSerwisPlus.de reports.
The changes include a new job-seeker residence permit with a validity of three years, and the removal of several bureaucratic procedures, including here creating new facilitations for obtaining an EU Blue Card in Germany.
Salary Threshold to Be Lowered
Amongst the main changes that the regulation on this document will go through is that the salary threshold will be lowered, so that more foreigners can come to Germany with the EU Blue Card, even in cases when they are offered a lower pay than the current threshold.
The minimal salary for a German Blue Card is €56,400 for now. At the same time, so far,those wishing to move to Germany under this legislation, who were offered a lower salary, had to ask for approval from the German Federal Employment Agency to be granted with the document.
“In occupations where jobs vacancies for e.g. doctors, engineers, natural scientists, mathematicians, and IT-specialists cannot be filled due to a shortage of qualified personnel applicants need a job offer providing gross annual earnings in the order of only €43.992,” the Federal Foreign Office explains.
To date, it hasn’t still been revealed how much the salary threshold will lower.
In other countries of the EU, the salary threshold is way lower than in Germany. For example, the monthly salary in Poland for holders of this card is €15,446, €16,700 in Hungary, €11,408 in the Czech Republic, and €13,776 in Latvia.
Countries with higher salary thresholds are Austria- €58,434, Belgium- €55,431, Finland- €56,774, France- €53,836.50, and Sweden – €50,550. The highest EU Blue Card salary threshold is required in Luxembourg, a minimal of €78,336 per year.
German Language Knowledge No Longer Mandatory
Applicants for a Blue Card will no longer be required to show proof that they have mastered the German language to a particular level.
Previously, those who could prove that they have a B1 level of German language knowledge, were able to obtain a settlement permit after only 21 months of residing and working in Germany. Those whose knowledge is under this level can obtain a Blue Card valid for their duration of work contract, and an additional three months beyond that.
Length of Professional Experience to Be Shortened
So far, those wishing to work in Germany with a Blue Card had to show proof that they had the necessary experience in the sector for which they were offered a job in Germany.
Now, having a degree in a particular sector will be enough to be able to apply for such a permit.
“In addition, a low minimum salary threshold for job starters with an academic degree will be created. This makes it easier for young professionals to start work,” the draft law on the changes, notes, which means that for this for this category of people, the minimum salary requirement will be even lower than for those who have experience.
Changing Employers & Bringing Family Over Made Easier
Another facilitation that will be created with the updated Blue Card, is making it possible for non-EU citizens working in Germany with such a card to change employers within Germany, but also for those who hold a Blue Card issued by another EU country.
“For holders of an EU Blue Card, changing employers will be simplified and regulations will be created for holders of an EU Blue Card issued by another member state of the EU for exercising short- and long-term intra-EU mobility in the Federal Republic of Germany,” the draft law reads.
At the same time, it will become easier to bring family members to Germany with an EU Blue Card, though more details in this regard remain to be revealed in the near future.
Blue Cards for IT Specialists Without Degrees & Persons Under International Protection
Two new categories will be able to benefit from the German Blue Card soon. According to the changes approved to the German immigration law, IT specialists will now be able to obtain a Blue Card even if they do not have a university degree, but who can demonstrate certain non-formal qualifications.
In addition, those living in Germany or another EU Member State under international protection will also become eligible to apply for a Blue Card to work in a highly skilled sector in need of workers in Germany.
Why Is Germany Updating Its Immigration Policy?
Like the rest of Europe, Germany has been badly hit by labour shortage, in particular post-pandemic. A recent labour market report by the German Ministry of Economy has revealed that 12 years from now, by 2035 Germany will be short some seven million skilled workers, if it does not undertake the necessary measures now.
In 2020, the country has recorded an annual average of 844,000 job vacancies, thus marking a record. In particular, the country is in need of workers in the pharmaceutical, engineering and IT sector.
Announcing the new changes to the immigration policy, the Federal Government has pointed out that there are around 240,000 more jobs that need to be filled in 2026 than there are workers available.
