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EU Blue Card 2027: What Will the New Salary Thresholds Be?
Germany resets the Blue Card salary threshold every year. The 2027 figures have not been announced yet, but the formula behind them is known. In this article I cover the 2026 thresholds, the figures we expect for 2027 and what to watch for if you are about to sign a contract.
Hamza Çakın · IR - Law / Consultant
The EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) is one of the strongest residence permits graduates can use to work in Germany. Every year the same question comes up: “What is the salary threshold this year?” Heading into 2027 it matters even more, because many applicants sign in 2026 and start work in 2027.
Where does the threshold come from?
The Blue Card is governed by section 18g of the Residence Act. The threshold is not a fixed number; it is tied to the annual contribution ceiling of the statutory pension insurance (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze). The general threshold is 50 percent of that ceiling, and the lower threshold for shortage occupations (Engpassberufe) and recent graduates is 45.3 percent. Since the ceiling is updated every year, so are the Blue Card thresholds.
Thresholds in 2026
| Group | Minimum gross annual salary (2026) | Additional requirement |
|---|---|---|
| General threshold | €50,700 | None |
| Shortage occupations | €45,934.20 | Federal Employment Agency (BA) approval |
| Recent graduates (degree less than 3 years old) | €45,934.20 | Federal Employment Agency (BA) approval |
Source: Make it in Germany, Blue Card page (2026 values). The figures match the 2026 contribution ceiling exactly: €8,450 a month, or €101,400 a year. Half of that is €50,700, and 45.3 percent is €45,934.20.
Our forecast for 2027
On 7 October 2026 the federal cabinet set the 2027 contribution ceiling at €8,850 a month. According to a Deutsche Rentenversicherung statement of 9 October 2026, the regulation still needs approval from the Bundesrat. €8,850 a month is €106,200 a year. Applying the same formula gives:
These figures are our calculation, not an official announcement. The official thresholds are published towards the end of the year and apply from 1 January. If the Bundesrat changes the contribution ceiling, the thresholds change too. We will update this article once the final figures are out.
Who is affected?
- Salaries between €48,000 and €53,100: If your profession is not on the shortage list, an offer that comfortably clears the 2026 threshold may fall short in 2027.
- Applications decided around the turn of the year: Check now whether the contract salary also meets the 2027 forecast. If it does not, the easiest time to talk to the employer is before you sign.
- Blue Card renewals: The requirements are checked again at renewal. Make sure your salary stays above the current threshold.
- Employers: Companies hiring in 2027 should budget against the new threshold.
Requirements beyond salary
- A German university degree or a comparable foreign degree. Without a degree, at least three years of tertiary education at ISCED 2011 level 6.
- A concrete job offer for at least six months.
- A job that matches your qualification.
- For regulated professions (such as medicine), a licence to practise or a commitment that it will be granted.
The real advantage: a fast track to permanent residence
Blue Card holders can get permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 27 months of work and contributions with basic German (A1), or after 21 months with B1 (section 18c(2) of the Residence Act). Your spouse also does not need to prove German before arriving. See our articles on permanent residence and family reunification for details.
Our assessment
An increase of around 4.7 percent does not put the Blue Card out of reach, but it is a real risk for applicants who agree a salary just above the threshold. We recommend setting salaries for contracts starting in 2027 at least a few hundred euros above the forecast threshold. If your profession is on the shortage list or you graduated within the last three years, the lower threshold remains a viable route.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2027 Blue Card threshold final?
No. On the publication date (10 October 2026) the official 2027 threshold had not been announced. €53,100 and €48,108.60 are our calculation based on the contribution ceiling approved by the cabinet.
Is the threshold gross or net?
Gross annual salary, as stated in the employment contract.
How do I know if my profession is a shortage occupation?
The list follows ISCO-08 occupational groups, including engineering, IT, medicine and nursing. You can check your profession on Make it in Germany’s Blue Card page.
You can check whether your offer qualifies on our skilled workers and Blue Card page, or review it with us in a free consultation.
Last updated: October 2026 · Sources: Make it in Germany · Aufenthaltsgesetz § 18g · Deutsche Rentenversicherung
This article is for general information and is not legal advice; the 2027 figures are not an official announcement but our calculation based on data at the date of publication.