On 27 June 2024, the Act to Modernise Nationality Law entered into force. Foreigners who are working in Germany and are well-integrated can now gain German citizenship after five years of legal residence in Germany instead of eight, as before
With the new law, existing mechanisms for skilled workers with a university degree, such as the EU Blue Card, continue and were in some cases extended. In addition, the new opportunity card (Chancenkarte) enables third-country nationals to seek employment.
The new law has several parts. The provisions were phased in since November 2023. Here is an overview of the amendments:
The new EU Blue Card since November 2023
In implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883, the German legislator has restructured and widened the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card:
- Lower salary thresholds: The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card in regular and shortage occupations was significantly lowered. A minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2025: €43,759.80) now applies to shortage occupations and new entrants to the labour market; for all other occupations, the figure is 50% (in 2025: €48.300).
- Wider group of people:
New entrants to the labour market: The possibility of obtaining an EU Blue Card was opened to a wider group of people. For example, foreign people who have graduated from university within the last three years can obtain an EU Blue Card if their job in Germany earns them a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2025: €43.759,80). This applies to both regular and shortage occupations.
IT specialists: Another change is that IT specialists now are able to obtain an EU Blue Card if they do not have a university degree but can prove that they have at least three years of comparable professional experience. In this case, the lower salary threshold for shortage occupations applies (45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling; in 2025: €43,759.80).Orignal SOurce