Key takeaway: The Federal Foreign Office table lists €50,700 (standard) and €45,934.20 (lower threshold) for the 2026 EU Blue Card. This page also covers the IT route in § 18g(2), how the German missions in India take applications and which degree documents they list, and settlement after 21 to 27 months.

2026 salary thresholds

The Federal Foreign Office table for 2026 (page dated 9 January 2026) lists a minimum gross salary of €50,700 a year for the standard EU Blue Card (§ 18g(1) sentence 1 AufenthG) and €45,934.20 for the lower threshold (§ 18g(1) sentence 2 and (2)). The statute sets these as 50% and 45.3% of the pension contribution ceiling, and the Ministry of the Interior announces the minimum salaries for each calendar year in the Bundesanzeiger, so check the figure for the year you apply. The German missions in India list the same two figures from 1 January 2026. The job offer must cover at least six months (§ 18g(3)).

Auswärtiges Amt (German Foreign Office), embassy Belgrade: Mindestgehalt (in Euro) - Arbeitsmigration 2026 Gesetze im Internet: § 18g AufenthG (Blaue Karte EU) German Missions in India (Federal Foreign Office): Holders of academic degrees (Blue Card EU checklist)

Who can use the lower threshold

Under § 18g(1) sentence 2, the lower threshold applies if the job is in one of the ISCO-08 occupation groups 132, 133, 134, 21, 221, 222, 225, 226, 23 or 25, or if the degree was obtained no more than three years before applying. In both cases the Blue Card is issued with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. The mission's checklist for India says a pre-approval letter from the agency is not needed above €50,700 and is optional otherwise, and that it can shorten processing. Check which occupation group your job falls into.

Gesetze im Internet: § 18g AufenthG (Blaue Karte EU) German Missions in India (Federal Foreign Office): Holders of academic degrees (Blue Card EU checklist)

IT specialists without a university degree

A person who does not meet § 18g(1) can get a Blue Card under § 18g(2) for a job in ISCO-08 group 133 (information and communications technology services managers) or group 25 (information and communications technology professionals). The Federal Employment Agency must approve. The gross salary must be at least 45.3% of the pension contribution ceiling, which the Foreign Office table lists as €45,934.20 for 2026. The applicant needs skills that rest on at least three years of professional experience in such a job, acquired in the last seven years, at a level comparable to a university degree and needed for the job. The offer must cover at least six months. Gather evidence of dates and duties for those years and ask the mission what it accepts.

Gesetze im Internet: § 18g AufenthG (Blaue Karte EU) International Labour Organization: ISCO-08, International Standard Classification of Occupations, Volume I (structure) Auswärtiges Amt (German Foreign Office), embassy Belgrade: Mindestgehalt (in Euro) - Arbeitsmigration 2026

Applying from India

The German missions in India say a national visa is the entry visa for a long-term stay of more than 90 days, that you do not need an agent, and that forms and information are free. Where an application type is available online, the mission says it is obligatory to apply through the Consular Service Portal. In the portal you choose your country of residence, not your citizenship, and then the German mission responsible for your state or district in India. If you choose a mission that is not responsible for where you live, your application will not be processed. The portal lists three Blue Card sub-types: with a university degree, with a tertiary education qualification, and for IT specialist. The mission page gives the visa fee as INR 8300 (EUR 75) for adults, paid in rupees at the exchange rate on the day of the appointment. It is a processing fee that is not refunded if the visa is refused or withdrawn, and the external service provider charges an additional service fee.

German Missions in India (Federal Foreign Office): National Visa

Degree documents the missions in India list

The mission's checklist for degree holders asks, among other items, for your highest university degree. For a degree from an Indian university it asks for confirmation from the university that you studied on-site or in regular mode, not by distance learning. The checklist lists other documents for degrees completed by distance learning. It asks that the degree is rated “entspricht” or “gleichwertig” in the anabin database and that the university has the rating “H+”, or “H+/-” with your degree programme listed in the comments. If the degree cannot be found or does not meet the criteria, it asks for a Statement of Comparability from the ZAB. It also lists the employer's declaration on the contract of employment, which replaces the work contract, and a certificate of compulsory health insurance from the German employer. A professional practice licence is needed for certain regulated professions. The mission states that submitting the documents does not mean a visa is granted.

German Missions in India (Federal Foreign Office): Holders of academic degrees (Blue Card EU checklist)

Settlement after a Blue Card

Under § 18c(2) AufenthG a Blue Card holder is to receive a settlement permit after at least 27 months of employment under § 18g, with pension contributions for that period, the further conditions of § 9(2) and simple German, which the Act defines as level A1 (§ 2(9)). The 27 months shorten to 21 months with sufficient German, which the Act defines as level B1 (§ 2(11)). These are conditions to meet and apply for, not automatic permanent residence.

Gesetze im Internet: § 18c AufenthG (Niederlassungserlaubnis für Fachkräfte) Gesetze im Internet: § 2 AufenthG (Begriffsbestimmungen), language-level definitions

Questions before acting

Can an IT applicant qualify without a degree?

§ 18g(2) has a specific route for jobs in ISCO-08 group 133 or 25: at least three years of professional experience in the last seven years at a level comparable to a degree, a salary of at least 45.3% of the contribution ceiling, and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.

Do applicants from India face different salary thresholds?

The German missions in India list the same two 2026 thresholds as the Foreign Office table: €50,700 and €45,934.20.

Where do I apply from India?

At the German mission responsible for your state or district, through the Consular Service Portal where the application type is available. Choose your country of residence, not your citizenship.

Is settlement automatic?

No. § 18c(2) sets conditions: 27 months of employment under § 18g with pension contributions, other requirements and simple German (A1), or 21 months with sufficient German (B1).

Corrections in this revision

The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:

  • Statements without direct official support: removed, or replaced with the official rule. Removed figures are not repeated on this page.

Review scope: legal and financial statements in this revised article. Recheck on a provider, professional, immigration or tax-rule change; reuse of dated figures requires a new check.

See recorded sources

These primary references have the jurisdiction, product and scope stated above. A source link is not proof of personalised eligibility.

Compare Germany vs Canada vs UK for your career

Explore recorded pathways and source links. This questionnaire does not determine eligibility or recommend a destination.

Get your free results

You might also find useful

India vs Germany: Salary & Cost of Living→ Canada Express Entry from India 2026→ Germany Country Guide→ India Emigration Guide→

Visa and WTE updates by email.

No fixed schedule is promised. Unsubscribe at any time.

About the author

António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.

How we verify our data · Editorial standards · About whereTOemigrate