Berlin, Germany - Germany has further opened its doors to skilled immigrants by significantly lowering the requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card under its newly implemented Tech Immigration Act. Starting in November 2023, the minimum annual salary threshold for obtaining the EU Blue Card has been reduced from €58,400 to €45,300 for most professions and even lower for those in shortage occupations.
Moreover, the language requirement for Blue Card holders has been eased, with applicants now needing only A1 level proficiency in German and 27 months of social security contributions to qualify for permanent residence, down from the previous 33 months with A1 or 21 months with B1. The Act also removes the restriction that the applicant's profession must match their academic background, allowing a wider range of individuals to immigrate to Germany.