Glossary
EU Blue Card
Blaue Karte EU. The residence permit for non-EU professionals with a German job offer. 2026 salary thresholds: €50,700 (standard) or €45,934 (shortage occupations, recent graduates, experienced IT specialists).
For property buyers, the Blue Card matters through financing: holders with German employment are treated like residents by most banks — 80–90% LTV instead of the non-resident 50–60% — and it accelerates permanent residency (21–27 months with German language skills).
Shortage occupations include STEM, physicians, IT, nursing and teaching. Thresholds reset every January (they track the pension contribution ceiling), so re-verify before planning.