Germany Skilled Immigration Act & EU Blue Card: Key Changes in 2026
Germany has lowered thresholds and introduced new paths for skilled professionals. Learn about the new rules, lower salary thresholds, and faster processing.
Germany has updated its Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) to combat severe labor shortages. The updates lower the entry barriers for non-EU professionals, make the EU Blue Card more accessible, and simplify the recognition of foreign degrees.
1. Lower salary thresholds for the German EU Blue Card
In 2026, Germany has reduced the salary threshold for the Blue Card to attract younger academics and professionals in shortage fields (IT, engineering, medicine):
- Standard Professions: Around €45,300 gross/year.
- Shortage Occupations & New Graduates: Around €41,000 gross/year.
2. Key highlights of the update
- IT Specialists: Professionals with at least 3 years of work experience in IT can obtain an EU Blue Card without a university degree, provided their salary meets the threshold.
- Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Job seekers can enter Germany for up to 12 months using a points system.
- Family Reunification: Spouses of Blue Card holders no longer need to prove basic German language skills to relocate.
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