Berlin, 1 January 2026 — Germany.
From 01/01/2026, Germany applies new minimum salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card: 50.700 € in total annual income for standard occupations, and 45.934,20 €/year for shortage occupations as well as recent graduates. The thresholds are adjusted according to the 2026 pension contribution assessment ceiling.
Detailed 2026 salary threshold figures
- Standard occupations: minimum 50.700 €/year (gross).
- Shortage occupations (Mangelberufe) and recent graduates: minimum 45.934,20 €/year (gross). Shortage occupations include information technology, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, medicine and pharmacy, and several other technical fields; those who graduated within the past three years also qualify for this lower threshold.
IT professionals may not need a university degree
Germany’s labor migration law allows IT professionals with sufficient professional experience to be granted an EU Blue Card without a mandatory university degree, provided they meet the salary threshold and experience requirements. This is a notable opening for skilled Vietnamese IT professionals who do not hold a formal bachelor’s degree.
What this means for Vietnamese workers
The EU Blue Card is one of the clearest pathways to skilled settlement in Germany: after a period of employment and reaching a certain level of German proficiency, Blue Card holders can apply for permanent residence. With the lower salary threshold for shortage occupations, Vietnamese candidates in IT, engineering and healthcare have an easier chance of meeting the threshold — a point worth considering when choosing a field and negotiating an employment contract.
References
- EY — New salary thresholds for EU Blue Card (effective 1 January 2026)
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit; German immigration law firms — 2026 Blue Card salary thresholds
This article is compiled from government sources and reputable immigration advisory firms. Regulations, thresholds and dates may change; you should check official sources or contact M2W for advice tailored to your specific case.
