- Expected from 1 January 2027: €53,100 standard, €48,108.60 for shortage jobs and recent graduates.
- The figures follow the draft pension contribution ceiling of €106,200 published in September 2026.
- The official numbers are usually announced in December.
- Germany's minimum wage also rises to €14.60 an hour on 1 January 2027.
The salary you need for an EU Blue Card in Germany changes every year. For 2027, the expected numbers are already clear.
The numbers
| 2026 (official) | 2027 (expected) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard threshold | €50,700 | €53,100 |
| Shortage jobs, recent graduates, IT specialists without degree | €45,934.20 | €48,108.60 |
The thresholds are fixed percentages of the pension contribution ceiling. The Federal Ministry of Labour published a draft regulation on 21 September 2026 setting that ceiling at €106,200, which gives the figures above (SE Legal). The 2026 figures are confirmed on Make it in Germany.
When it becomes official
The cabinet and the Bundesrat usually approve the regulation in autumn, and the official thresholds are normally announced in December. Changes at this stage are unusual, but I will update this page when the final numbers are out.
What it means for you
- If your contract starts in 2027, your salary must meet the 2027 threshold, not the 2026 one.
- If an offer is close to the limit, raise it early with the employer. A small change in the offer can decide the permit.
- If you change jobs within the first 12 months of your Blue Card, the new job is checked against the rules in force at that time (Make it in Germany).
Also on 1 January 2027: minimum wage
Germany's statutory minimum wage rises from €13.90 to €14.60 an hour on 1 January 2027 (Lohnsteuer kompakt). This matters for students and Opportunity Card holders working part-time.
Read the full EU Blue Card guide for 2026/27.
Sources
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.