- country
- Germany
- eligibility
- Skilled workers with a recognised university degree and a concrete qualified job offer. IT specialists without a degree can qualify with at least three years of comparable professional experience gained within the last seven years. Salary thresholds (2026): standard EUR 50,700 gross/year; reduced threshold EUR 45,934.20 for shortage occupations (incl. IT/ICT, engineering, natural sciences), recent graduates and qualifying IT specialists. Permanent residence possible after 27 months (A1 German) or 21 months (B1 German).
- processing notes
- Shortage-occupation/IT threshold is set at 45.3% of the annual social-security ceiling; standard threshold at 50%. No quota identified.