Maßgeblich ist die deutsche Fassung. (The German version is authoritative.)
German residence permits for work
Blue Card, Opportunity Card and other routes compared
German residence law offers several routes to work in Germany, depending on your qualification, your nationality and whether you have a job offer. This overview explains the main routes and names their legal basis. In German, a residence permit is called Aufenthaltstitel.
In short: With a job offer and a university degree, the EU Blue Card is often an option (2026: at least 50,700 euros gross a year, 45,934.20 euros for shortage occupations). Without a job offer, the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) allows entry to look for work if qualification, language, points and funds fit. Six Western Balkan states have their own regulation.
The main routes at a glance
| Route | Legal basis | For whom? | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) | § 18g AufenthG | University graduates with a specific job offer | Minimum salary 2026: 50,700 euros gross a year; 45,934.20 euros for shortage occupations and for career starters up to three years after graduation. The thresholds are linked to the contribution assessment ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) and are announced anew every year. A recognised or comparable university degree is required. |
| Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | §§ 20a, 20b AufenthG | Job search without a specific job offer | Residence permit for looking for employment, issued since 1 June 2024. It requires either skilled worker status or enough points under the annex to the AufenthG together with German A1 or English B2, and in both cases secured means of subsistence. The stay is initially limited to a maximum of one year; work of up to 20 hours a week on average is allowed alongside the search. |
| Skilled worker with vocational training | § 18a AufenthG | Recognised vocational training plus a specific job offer | For skilled workers whose vocational training is recognised in Germany or equivalent, for example in nursing, skilled trades or IT, and who have a qualified job in prospect. |
| Skilled worker with academic training | § 18b AufenthG | University degree plus job offer, without the Blue Card salary threshold | Alternative to the EU Blue Card for university graduates with a recognised or comparable degree if the Blue Card salary threshold is not reached but a qualified job offer exists. |
| Residence for recognition | § 16d AufenthG | Entry to complete an ongoing recognition procedure | For people who want to come to Germany to complete measures for the recognition (Anerkennung) of their qualification. More in the recognition guide. |
| Residence for vocational training | § 16a AufenthG | Starting in-company vocational training (Ausbildung) in Germany | For vocational training in Germany. The authority checks requirements such as a training contract, language skills and secured means of subsistence case by case. |
| Western Balkans Regulation (Westbalkanregelung) | § 26 (2) BeschV | Nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia | Employment in Germany with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, which is granted after a priority check (Vorrangprüfung). Approvals are capped at 50,000 per calendar year. You apply at a German mission abroad in one of the six countries. A recognised qualification is not required. |
| Family reunification (Familiennachzug) | §§ 29 to 32 AufenthG | Spouses and minor children of people with a residence permit | Allows family members to join a person who lives in Germany. Secured means of subsistence and sufficient living space are usually required, and for spouses mostly basic German skills as well. The rules depend on the residence permit. |
This list shows the main routes but is not exhaustive. Other cases such as studying (§ 16b AufenthG) or humanitarian permits are only partly covered by the residence permit checker. If in doubt, ask the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde). AufenthG is the German Residence Act, BeschV the Employment Ordinance.
EU Blue Card and Opportunity Card compared
| Aspect | EU Blue Card | Opportunity Card |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer | You already have a specific job offer | No job offer needed; you enter to look for work |
| Qualification | Recognised or comparable university degree | Also possible with a vocational qualification without a university degree |
| Limitation | Salary must reach the minimum threshold | Initially limited to a maximum of one year |
Tools and related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the EU Blue Card and the Opportunity Card?
The EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG) requires a specific job offer, a recognised or comparable university degree and a minimum salary (2026: 50,700 euros gross a year, 45,934.20 euros for shortage occupations and career starters). The Opportunity Card (§ 20a AufenthG) is for people without a job offer who enter Germany to look for employment. It is initially limited to a maximum of one year.
What are the requirements for the Opportunity Card?
Under § 20a AufenthG you must either count as a skilled worker or reach enough points under the annex to the Act (§ 20b AufenthG). Under the points system you also need German at level A1 or English at level B2. In both cases your means of subsistence must be secured. The law sets out in detail which foreign vocational qualifications or university degrees are sufficient.
What is the Western Balkans Regulation?
The Western Balkans Regulation (Westbalkanregelung, § 26 (2) BeschV) applies to nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Employment is possible with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, which is capped at 50,000 per calendar year. A recognised qualification is not required.
Which residence permit do I need to work in Germany?
That depends on your qualification, your nationality and whether you have a job offer. The NextBeruf residence permit checker shows a possible route in 4 steps, with notes on the competent authority. It does not replace information from the foreigners authority or the German mission abroad.
Find a route based on your details
The NextBeruf residence permit checker asks about your country of origin, qualification and intended activity in 4 steps and shows you a matching route based on your details, with requirements, the competent authority and official sources.
Sources
- § 18g AufenthG, EU Blue Card (in German)
- § 20a AufenthG, Opportunity Card (in German)
- § 20b AufenthG, points for the Opportunity Card (in German)
- § 26 BeschV, employment for nationals of the Western Balkan states (in German)
- BAMF, Federal Office for Migration and Refugees: entry and residence
- Make it in Germany, the German government's portal for skilled workers
- § 60a AufenthG, tolerated stay and employment ban (in German)
- External information: NETZWERK Unternehmen integrieren Flüchtlinge (DIHK Service GmbH), safe countries of origin, transitional rule and employment bans (in German, as of 3 August 2026)
Binding information is provided by the competent authorities. Free advice on recognition (Anerkennung) is offered by, among others, the IQ Network (IQ Netzwerk).
Keep reading
More guides on related topics.
This information is general guidance, not legal advice. Salary thresholds, requirements and quotas can change. Check current values with the competent authority; binding information is provided by the foreigners authority and the competent German mission abroad. Note for people with a Duldung: since 29 July 2026 the employment ban (Section 60a (6) sentence 1 no. 3 AufenthG) also covers nationals of Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Colombia, Morocco, Tunisia and Türkiye, with exceptions under the transitional rule. Whether it applies to you is decided by the immigration office or a migration counselling service.
Last reviewed: October 2026