Definition and meaning of the blue card
It is important to know what exactly a blue card is in order to understand what requirements you need to meet to be naturalized with a blue card. What are the benefits of such a Residence permit and what is it actually for?
What does the blue card mean?
The Blue Card, also known as the EU Blue Card, is laid down in Section 18b (2) of the Residence Act. The blue card simplifies and strengthens the permanent immigration of highly qualified academics from abroad to Germany. There are two different requirements that must be met for this Residence permit : a completed university degree, an employment contract or a job offer. In addition, a minimum salary threshold must be observed.
What sense does the blue card make?
The purpose of the blue card is to promote the influx of highly qualified academics from abroad. The immigration of these people is very important for the German economy and the German labor market. For a variety of reasons, many highly qualified workers have left the country in recent years.
The birth rate in Germany is low and many people who were born during the baby boom are retiring or have retired. This has led to a shortage of skilled workers in various professions. Germany is therefore benefiting from people who are aiming for their future in Germany with a blue card and are making an important contribution to Germany's economic performance. In this way, the shortage of skilled workers can be remedied.
What opportunities does the blue card offer?
With a blue card, foreigners have many opportunities in Germany. The labor market is open to you and the chance of finding a job is very high. The blue card is seen as proof of a highly qualified academic. Accordingly, the recognition of this right of residence is extremely high. This is also due to the fact that there are very strict rules for obtaining a blue card and the criteria are high.
Another option with a blue card is facilitated family reunification. It is generally easier for people with a blue card to bring their core family (wife, children, parents, siblings) to Germany than for people with other residence permits.
Naturalization with a blue card?
Necessities for the Naturalization with blue card
Various requirements must be met for Naturalization to work with a blue card. The conditions vary depending on the existing qualifications. Naturalization is possible after 8 years, 7 years, 6 years, but also after 3 years.
What do you need for Naturalization?
For a successful Naturalization with a blue card, you need exactly the same requirements as any other applicant at Naturalization . You can use § 10 StAG as a guide. You can also find all the important requirements for Naturalization in our detailed blog article.
First of all, it is important that you can prove that you can support yourself and your family in addition to the correct length of stay and language skills. The naturalization authorities will draw up a forecast for this. The higher your income, the more likely it is that you will meet this requirement.
Other requirements are the signed declaration of loyalty. The declaration of loyalty is a commitment to the German constitutional state and to the rules and obligations on which the German constitutional state is based. Another important point is proof of identity.
Currently, citizenship law still stipulates that you must renounce the citizenship of your home country in order for Naturalization to work in Germany. There are various exceptions under Section 12 StAG that make dual citizenship possible.
In May, the Federal Government agreed on the abolition of paragraph 4 of Section 10 StAG. It is crucial that this agreement is passed as a law by the Bundestag. This is planned for this year. If this happens, Germany will recognize dual citizenship and a simple proof of identity will suffice.
Language and integration
Section 10 StAG states as a prerequisite that the applicant for Naturalization must have sufficient German language skills. The minimum requirement in terms of language skills is a B1 certificate.
Anything above a B1 certificate (B2, C1, C2) is all the better. You are exempt from a B1 certificate if you have a German university degree, have completed German vocational training and have attended a German school for four years.
It is important for integration to pass a successful naturalization test. At least 17 out of 33 questions must be answered correctly. The naturalization test is proof of knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany.
Duration of stay with blue card
The important thing is how long you stay in Germany with a blue card and how long you stay in Germany with a legal Residence permit . A Tolerance permit does not count as legal Residence permit. In general, you must have been legally resident in Germany for at least 8 years.
The residence period of 8 years can only be shortened with exceptions. If you can present a completed naturalization test/integration test, then Naturalization is possible after just 7 years if all other requirements are met.
If you can provide proof of voluntary work or a B2 language certificate, then Naturalization is also possible after 6 years. Here too, of course, all other conditions must be met. You can obtain an Naturalization after 3 years if you have been married to a German citizen for at least 2 years and meet all other requirements.
Costs for the Naturalization
The costs for a Naturalization with a blue card are the same as for all other naturalizations. According to the federal government's website, you pay 255 euros per person for each Naturalization . If a minor child is naturalized with their parents, the Naturalization costs 51 euros for each child.
What papers do you need for Naturalization?
To apply for Naturalization with a blue card, you will need various papers, forms and documents. Only with a complete application do you have a chance of your application for Naturalization being approved.
Application form
The most important document for the application for Naturalization with a blue card is the application form. Each authority has its own document. This must be downloaded from the website of Foreigners' office . Alternatively, the Federal Office of Administration also offers application forms for download on its own website.
Signed declaration of loyalty
With the declaration of loyalty, you declare that you are committed to the German state. This document must be signed by you in person. Without your own signature on the declaration of loyalty, your application for Naturalization with a blue card will not be successful.
Proof of livelihood
In order to calculate whether you can support yourself and your family, you will need proof. The three most recent payslips are important. There is no specific minimum requirement for proof of income. The naturalization authority has the task of making a forecast of your future livelihood.
It is also not important whether you are still in your probationary period, are in a fixed-term employment relationship or are working for an indefinite period. The important criterion is the prognosis itself and this is not dependent on your employment relationship. We are told that people are told that they cannot apply for Naturalization without a permanent employment contract. This is not legally correct!
Residential and rental documents
The naturalization authorities require residential and rental documents so that they can make a forecast of your livelihood. It is important to have a certificate of rental property signed by the landlord. This must show the size of your apartment and the amount of the monthly rent.
Further documents
It is important that you have a document that proves your identity. If possible, a passport or identity card from your home country would be the best proof. If your home country does not renew passports or identity cards, then an alternative document such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate or driving license is possible. It is important that your date of birth, place of birth and nationality are clearly recognizable.
An additional important document is proof of your length of stay in Germany. It is important that the authorities can see exactly how long you have been legally resident in Germany. This is a basic requirement for the successful processing of the application for Naturalization with a blue card.
It is also important that you can provide written proof of participation and the result of your naturalization test. The decisive factor here is that you can successfully complete the test with at least 17 correct answers out of 33 questions. The naturalization test is valid once it has been completed and does not have to be repeated once it has been successfully passed.
Advantages of Naturalization with blue card
Naturalization with a blue card offers many positive aspects and is worthwhile. Various important advantages come together here that ultimately make it worthwhile to apply for Naturalization with a blue card.
Travel options
With the German passport, you can travel visa-free to over 190 countries worldwide. This makes the German passport one of the most powerful passports in the world, along with the Japanese and South Korean passports. Over the years, the power of the German passport has continued to grow and will continue to do so. This exclusivity of being able to visit so many countries as a German without having to apply for a visa is something very special and unique.
Essential basic rights as a German
Like every person who has been naturalized, a foreigner who applies for German citizenship with a blue card also benefits from all the rights of a German citizen after receiving a positive naturalization decision. For example, the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of association applies with a German passport. This means that you can take part in demonstrations and organize rallies and demonstrations with others.
Freedom of association means that you can set up your own party or organization. An important political right with German citizenship is the right to vote. This means that you can vote in all elections in Germany and have a say in political developments.
Easier loan application
The successful Naturalization makes it even easier for you to obtain a loan to build a house or start a business.
The probability that a credit institution will grant you a loan as a German citizen with existing financial conditions is much higher with a German passport than without German citizenship. The reason for this is that your Naturalization shows additional trust, transparency and integration and this is also rewarded by a credit institution.
Summary
As you can see, the Naturalization with blue card is very complex. Below you will find a brief overview of the most important points:
- The blue card is intended for the immigration of highly qualified academics
- Important proof is generally a university degree, an employment contract and a minimum salary threshold.
- The same conditions apply to Naturalization with a blue card as for all other applications to Naturalization.
- It may be possible to be naturalized after only 7, 6 or 3 years with a blue passport.
- Applying for a loan is easier with Naturalization
- With the Naturalization blue card, it is possible to travel visa-free to over 190 countries
- With Naturalization you can vote in all elections in Germany and have all the rights that every other German citizen has.
Do you still have questions about Naturalization with a blue card?
FAQ - The most important questions and answers about Naturalization with blue card
Naturalization with a blue card is no different from the normal procedure at Naturalization. The orientation is § 10 StAG. All requirements of this legal provision must be submitted in addition to the application for Naturalization .
The blue card is a Residence permit to facilitate the Naturalization of highly qualified academics. The aim is to integrate highly qualified academics from abroad into the German labor market and thus remedy the shortage of skilled workers in various academic professions
The same language requirements apply for Naturalization with a blue card as for any other Naturalization . The minimum requirement is a B1 certificate. You are only exempt from a B1 certificate if you can provide proof of a school-leaving certificate after grade 10 in Germany. If you have completed a university degree in Germany, a B1 certificate is also not required. The same applies if you have completed vocational training.
A Naturalization after 3, 6 or 7 years is easily possible with a blue card. The decisive factor is that you meet the exemption requirements for the respective reductions in the length of stay and fulfill all other requirements.
