Germany’s EU Blue Card has a minimum salary requirement, but the applicable threshold depends on the type of job and the applicant’s situation. Some occupations qualify for a reduced threshold, and recent graduates can also benefit from lower salary requirements in certain cases.
This article explains the 2026 Blue Card salary thresholds, who can use the lower threshold and how the salary test works in practice. It also covers common questions about bonuses, part-time contracts, job changes and whether a position has to match the applicant’s qualification.