In 2026, the minimum gross annual salary for an EU Blue Card in Germany is €50,700. A reduced threshold of €45,934.20 applies to shortage occupations, recent graduates, and IT specialists without a degree. Both figures took effect on January 1, 2026, and apply to every Blue Card decision this year, including renewals. The thresholds rise [...]
For holders of a German residence permit who attempt to return to Germany after a lengthy stay abroad, an unpleasant surprise may await: re-entry may be refused. The reason? In many cases, the residence permit has simply lapsed — automatically, and without the holder ever realizing it. The legal basis for this is Section [...]
You have built a life in another EU country — you hold a valid residence permit, you know the system, and Germany feels like a natural next step. Then you discover that your permit counts for nothing the moment you cross the border. This is one of the most common and costly misconceptions in [...]
With the changed understanding of gender, the principle of descent on which German citizenship law is based is also subject to change. The amendment to the German Nationality Act (StAG), which came into force on 20 August 2021, introduced a ten-year right of declaration – for all persons who were denied German citizenship by [...]
§ 116 (2) German Constitution provides for former German nationals who were deprived of their citizenship for political, racial or religious reasons between 30 January 1933 and 8 May 1945, as well as for their descendants, to be entitled to re-naturalisation (so-called "Wiedergutmachungseinbürgerung"). Other types of naturalisation sometimes require a certain knowledge of German [...]
The EU Blue Card has made it more straightforward than ever for professionals outside the European Union to work in Germany and other EU member states. The applicant must reach a certain gross income threshold to benefit from the EU Blue Card in Germany. However, this means that, as a residence permit, it is strongly [...]
With the United Kingdom having left the European Union ("Brexit"), UK citizens no longer benefit from Freedom of Movement within the European Union. This change took effect at the start of 2021. UK citizens planning to live and work in Germany now require a residence permit. One option is the EU Blue Card, which [...]
Understanding the expiration of a German visa and residence permit is crucial for anyone whose residence in Germany is based on their visa or residence permit. Although managing permit timelines might seem secondary amidst the excitement of settling into a new country, it is essential to grasp the implications of an expired permit. Leaving Germany [...]
Some European countries made it possible for those who invest in real estate in their countries to gain residency or citizenship under so-called "Golden Visas". Countries that had such "Golden Visa" schemes included Malta, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus, but what about Germany in 2024? Can investing in real estate in Germany bring about citizenship [...]
Should a person commit an action that ends up on their criminal record, it can follow them for a long time. Such an action can seriously impact what they can and cannot do. Travelling to another country, never mind moving to one, can be significantly affected by having a criminal record. In this article, [...]