The EU Blue Card and Brexit: German Lawyers

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 allows its holder to live and work in Germany for a period of four years. The EU Blue Card offers several advantages, including enabling its holders to gain accelerated access to permanent residency.

Before Brexit, UK citizens did not require residence permits to work in Germany; however, applying for them may now be daunting. Companies that typically hire employees from the UK may also need legal assistance overseeing the applications.

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, we are a full-service law firm specialising in business immigration. Our lawyers have a deep understanding of immigration matters and will provide clear guidance on all requirements.

EU Blue Card: The Benefits

The EU Blue Card permits its holder to work and reside in Germany for a period of four years. It has made living in Europe more straightforward. Additionally, it offers holders a clear pathway to permanent residency, as follows: after 27 months, applicants can apply for a permanent residence permit. The accelerated option of seeking permanent residency after 21 months should the holder demonstrate that they possess German skills of at least a B1 level. However, if your employment contract is for less than four years, your EU Blue Card will be limited to the duration of the employment relationship plus three months. For UK citizens seeking to work in Germany after Brexit, an EU Blue Card is one of the most attractive residence permits.

The other benefits of the EU Blue Card include the ability to facilitate family reunification. There are no German language requirements, and the possibility of seeking another job should complications arise with employment contracts during the holder’s time in Germany. Here are the benefits in more detail.

Family Reunification in Germany: EU Blue Card and Brexit

As an EU Blue Cardholder, you can live in Germany with your family. Family reunification under the EU Blue Card allows the holder to have family members, such as their spouse (or long-term partner), children, and other dependents (including step-children), live in Germany with them. This dependency must be proven in the case of children over the age of 21.

When considering bringing the family to Germany, the holder must demonstrate that they have the financial resources to support their family members and that the family members have the required health insurance and suitable accommodation. Family reunification in Germany after Brexit is a significant concern. Our article on “Family Reunification: Third-Country Nationals” explains the options available to UK citizens in the current situation.

No German Language Requirement to Apply for EU Blue Card

In contrast to other residence permits and visas, there is no German language requirement for the applicant. However, there is an incentive to learn German because EU Blue Card holders with a B1 standard of German can apply for permanent residency after 21 months, rather than the standard 27 months.

Equal Treatment under the Law

EU Blue Cardholders cannot be treated less than their German and EU counterparts. They should be treated the same, in accordance with their labour and employment law rights, salary conditions, social conditions, and children’s right to attend schools in Germany. When an EU Blue Cardholder suspects they are facing discrimination, they should contact a legal representative to analyse their case.

If you lose your job, the EU Blue Card also permits the cardholder an extra three months in Germany. The EU Blue Cardholder can use this time to secure another form of employment in Germany. However, it should be noted that the salary conditions are also in place for the new job. Those three months can also be used as extra time to organise moving back to the UK if preferred.

Applying for the EU Blue Card – The Requirements Post-Brexit

The EU Blue Card is legislated for in German law under Section 18b of the German Residence Act. Successfully applying for the EU Blue Card involves ensuring that your application fulfils all the requirements. Our lawyers assist clients from all over the world with their applications. These applications can be made in Germany or elsewhere, including the UK. However, to apply for the EU Blue Card, a solid job offer must be in place that meets the salary requirements.

Salary Requirements for the EU Blue Card in 2025

As of January 2025, the minimum amount a person can earn and still be eligible for an EU Blue Card is €50,700 (gross salary). However, the salary requirements for positions in work shortages are €45,934.20. In Germany, employment areas with work shortages refer to information and communications specialists, engineers, medical doctors, teachers, and mathematicians.

University Degree

When applying for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must hold a university degree from either a German or a foreign institution of higher education. The university degree must be comparable to one from a German university. Should you have questions about the recognition of university degrees, our legal team is happy to support you. Additionally, those interested in the EU Blue Card can use the following website to determine whether their university and degree are comparable to a German degree: https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html.

There are alternative options outside of the EU Blue Card for those seeking to work in Germany who do not hold a university degree, such as the provisions outlined in the Skilled Immigration Act 2020. This Act aims to attract employees with a vocational education background to live and work in Germany, particularly those in the Information and Communication Technology sector. It should be noted that, in most cases, for the Skilled Immigration Act, there is a requirement that the applicant has a B1 standard of German.

Employment Contract / Offer

An employment contract offer is a requirement when applying for the EU Blue Card. The residence permit can be applied for in Germany or the UK, but having a concrete job offer is necessary. If you wish to seek a suitable job in Germany for the EU Blue Card, the Job Seekers’ Visa option is available. This visa allows its holder to spend six months in Germany to seek suitable employment.

Representation in Immigration and Residence Law

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our lawyers are available to answer all questions related to German immigration law, as well as those concerning the EU Blue Card and Brexit. We have helped private clients worldwide in their applications for the EU Blue Card and other German residence permits. Additionally, our business immigration team advises and supports businesses concerning their options in Germany for hiring professionals from outside of the European Union.

Contact us today using the contact information provided below. Our team offers our assistance in English and German. We operate out of our offices in Cologne, Aachen, and Düsseldorf, and have conference rooms throughout Germany, including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Our team of lawyers is ready when you are ready for all legal questions concerning the EU Blue Card, Brexit, and other Brexit and German law-related matters.