German Residence Permit vs. Blue Card

For those looking to relocate to Germany to work for an extended period of time, the Residence Permit and the EU Blue Card are the most common “visas”. But what’s the difference between these two types of residence permits? Britt, our Jetztpat who’s held both types of permits, helps break it down.

If you’re looking for general information about the types of German visas, check out our Guide to German visas.

The Residence Permit is the most commonly obtained visa by expats who wish to live and work in Germany. It is also referred to as the German Employment Visa, the German Work Visa, the Skilled Labor Visa, or the Aufenthaltserlaubnis. If you want to work in Germany but do not meet the requirements for the Blue Card, you may still be eligible to apply for a residence permit for work purposes.

First, let's take a look at the Blue Card requirements:

Blue Card Requirements

This visa is designed for highly skilled professionals with an academic education. To be eligible, you need:

1. A job offer from a company in Germany.

2. A German degree or a foreign degree that is equivalent to a German university diploma. You can check the equivalence of your degree in the Anabin database. IT-related professions do not require a university degree, but you must have three years of work experience.

3. The annual gross salary must be at least €43,800 for regular professions. For recent university graduates (within 3 years) or shortage occupations, the minimum salary must be at least €39,682 (starting from November 2023). Shortage occupations include fields like mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, and human medicine. You can find the full list in German here.

4. For regulated professions (e.g., health professions, practicing teachers, lawyers), a professional practice permit may be required.

If you do not meet the requirements for the Blue Card, you may still be eligible to apply for a residence permit.

Residence Permit Requirements

This visa is suitable for skilled professionals with either an academic or non-academic education. To be eligible, you need:

1. A job offer from an employer in Germany, and your qualifications must match the job profile.

2. Qualifications that are recognized in Germany or equivalent to those from a German higher education institution.

   • For academic professions, check if your degree is listed in the Anabin database and follow the provided guide.

   • For non-academic professions, if you completed an apprenticeship, you might need to request an individual statement of comparability, which you can apply for here.

   • For regulated professions, a professional practice permit may be required. You can apply for it here.

3. If you are over 45 years old and coming to Germany for employment, your gross annual salary must be at least €48,180, or you must provide proof of adequate old-age pension provisions.

Differences Between German Residence Permit and German Blue Card

The Blue Card offers several advantages and is the preferred visa type. Some benefits of the Blue Card include:

• Visa Validity: A Blue Card is typically valid for 4 years, while a residence permit is typically valid for 2 years.

• Freedom of Job Choice: After holding a Blue Card for two years, you may work in any profession you like.

• Application Speed: Applying for a Blue Card is faster as the employment agency's consent is not required.

• EU Mobility: Blue Card holders from other EU countries can come to Germany for a maximum stay of 90 days and engage in business activities related to their employment without needing a visa or work permit. If they wish to stay longer, they need to apply for a German blue card.

• EU Family Mobility: Family reunification for EU Blue Card holders whose family lived in another EU country can relocate to Germany and apply for residence directly within Germany. Certain requirements for living space and securing a living are also waived.

Family Reunification

Regardless of whether you are eligible for a Blue Card or a residence permit, your spouse and children can apply for a family reunion visa to join you in Germany. However, if you qualify for a residence permit only, a German language certificate of A1 is usually required. In some cases, an integration course may be requested for the non-working spouse after their arrival in Germany. Rarely, a language certificate may be requested for the working spouse if they are eligible for a Blue Card after relocating to Germany.

Applying for the Wrong Visa Type

The application process for a Blue Card or residence permit involves two steps. First, you need to apply for a specific type of work visa at your nearest German embassy. It's crucial to select the correct visa category, such as "Blue Card/Highly Skilled" or "Skilled Worker Visa."

After coming to Germany you need to transfer your German work visa into a residence permit or blue card. To do so, you must make an appointment at the local foreigners’ hall and bring your documents. If you mistakenly apply for the wrong visa, there should be no problem because German governmental officials have to review your individual situation and hand out the best possible type of work permit.

Choosing the right type of visa is indeed difficult. You can navigate through the types of work visa here or contact us today!

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Britt is a co-founder of Jetztpat and comes from Fargo, North Dakota, USA, the epicenter of “Midwestern Nice” and home to one of the largest populations of German (and Norwegian) heritage in the United States. After falling in love with travel through her work, she decided to make Germany home in 2015, first settling in Hamburg. Today, Britt lives in Munich with her German husband and German-Romanian dog and enjoys bopping around Europe every chance she gets.