EU Blue Card

Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) (State Office for Immigration)

On this authority’s website, you can find all official and complete information on this topic.

You can submit the application online through the Service Portal. There, you can also find information about the requirements and costs.

Apply Now!

Your residence permit usually remains valid for another 6 months. If you have held the EU Blue Card for less than 2 years, your residence may end after just 3 months of unemployment. However, your residence does not end automatically — you will first receive a letter from the LEA.

These are the five things you must keep in mind if you lose your job:

1. Inform the LEA: You must inform the LEA no later than 2 weeks after losing your job. You do this via the contact form. If you do not inform the LEA in time, you may lose your EU Blue Card!
2. Start looking for a job quickly: At the moment, finding a job can take a long time, even if you have qualifications and work experience. Find more information about job searching and counseling here: Job Search
3. Pay attention to the legal consequences of unemployment: With an EU Blue Card, you may be allowed to start a new job in certain situations. Find more information about this in the next question. If you are unemployed repeatedly or for a longer period of time, you may lose your EU Blue Card.
4. Consider applying for unemployment benefits: You may also be entitled to unemployment benefits while you are without a job. Find out here whether you are entitled to unemployment benefits and how to apply: Arbeitslosengeld. Important: You must not receive benefits from the Jobcenter ! This also applies if the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency ) tells you to apply for benefits from the Jobcenter . If you are unsure which benefits you can apply for, go to a counseling center.
5. Submit an application to the LEA in good time: If your residence permit is expiring and you have not yet found a new job, a residence permit for job seeking may be an option. Find more information here: Chancenkarte | Serviceportal

Check your residence permit to see whether the additional conditions include any special rules about employment.

Usually, it says:
Beschäftigung und AG-Wechsel gemäß § 18g Abs. 1 S. 1 AufenthG erlaubt.
Nach 1-jähr. versicherungspfl. Beschäftig. ist Beschäftig. jeder Art erlaubt
(Employment and change of employer permitted in accordance with Section 18g (1) sentence 1 of the Residence Act.
After 1 year of employment subject to social insurance contributions, employment of any kind is permitted.)

This means: You may start a new job without permission . If you start a new job within the first 12 months, you must inform the LEA via the contact form. Normally, you do not need to wait for approval. You inform the LEA and can then start working right away. During your first year with an EU Blue Card, the LEA may object if they do not agree with the new job. If the job does not meet the requirements for an EU Blue Card, the LEA may revoke your EU Blue Card. After one year, you no longer need to inform the LEA.

Keep in mind that not every job is sufficient to keep or renew your EU Blue Card.

Not every job helps you keep or renew your EU Blue Card. The requirements for an EU Blue Card job are particularly strict. Normally, you must earn a good salary of at least €50,700 per year. In certain cases, €45,934.20 per year is sufficient (as of February 2026). Your job must also match your qualifications. This is important for renewing your EU Blue Card.

Tip: If you find a different job, you may still qualify for another residence permit for skilled workers. The important thing is that you have a qualified job.

There is a fast route to the Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence) for people with an EU Blue Card. One requirement, for example, is that you have worked in a job that qualifies for an EU Blue Card. You must also prove your German language skills. With German language level B1, you can switch to permanent residence after just 21 months. With language level A1, you can switch after 27 months. With the Quick Check, you can find out whether you meet the requirements for permanent residence. Learn more about this special permanent residence permit in the Service Portal. If you click on "Do It Online Now", you will be taken to the Quick Check and the online application :

Jetzt Niederlassungserlaubnis beantragen

Have you already been living in Germany for a longer time? After 5 years, you may already be able to apply for naturalization. Find out more about your options here:

Einbürgerung (Naturalization)

With an EU Blue Card, family reunification is easier than with other residence permits . Your family does not need a German language certificate , and you may even be able to bring your parents or parents-in-law to Berlin. However, you must meet certain requirements. For example, you normally need enough income and a home with enough space for you and your family.