Definition and meaning of the blue card
In order to understand what blue card requirements one must have in order to become a naturalized citizen, it is important to know what exactly a blue card is. What is the purpose of such a residence permit and what is it actually for?
What does the blue card mean?
The blue card, also called EU Blue Card, is in § 18b Abs.2 AufenthG fixed. 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 title: a completed university degree, an employment contract or a job commitment. In addition, one must observe a minimum salary limit.
What sense does the blue card make?
The purpose behind the blue card is to encourage the influx of highly qualified academics from abroad. The immigration of these people is very important for the German economy and for the German labor market. For a variety of reasons, many highly qualified workers have been lost in recent years.
The birth rate in Germany is low and many people who were born during high birth rates are retiring or have retired. This has led to a shortage of skilled workers in various professions. Germany therefore benefits from people who have a blue card and are aiming for their future in Germany, and who make an important contribution to Germany’s economic performance. This is the way to solve the shortage of skilled workers.
What opportunities does the blue card offer?
With a blue card, a immigrant has many opportunities in Germany. The labor market is available to one and the chance of employment is very high. The blue card is considered evidence of a highly qualified academic. Accordingly, the recognition of this right of residence is extremely high. The reason for this is also 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 nuclear family (wife, children, parents, siblings) to Germany than for people with other residence titles.
naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card?
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Necessities for naturalization (Einbürgerung) with blue card
In order for naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card to work, various requirements must be met. The conditions vary depending on the existing qualification. Thus, naturalizations are possible after 8 years, 7 years, 6 years, but also after 3 years.
What do you need for naturalization (Einbürgerung)?
For successful naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card, you need exactly the same requirements as any other applicant for naturalization (Einbürgerung). One can orientate oneself by § 10 StAG. Also in our detailed blog article are all the important requirements for naturalization (Einbürgerung).
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. For this purpose, a forecast is prepared by the naturalization authorities. The higher the income, the more likely you are to meet this requirement.
Other requirements are the signed statement of loyalty. With the declaration of loyalty, one commits oneself to the German constitutional state and to the rules and duties on which the German constitutional state is based. Another important point is the proof of identity.
Currently, the citizenship law still stipulates that you have to leave the citizenship of your home country in order for naturalization (Einbürgerung) in Germany to work. Under Section 12 of the StAG, there are several exceptions that make dual citizenship possible.
In May, the federal government agreed on the abolition of paragraph 4 of § 10 StAG. It is crucial that this agreement passes through the Bundestag as a law. This is planned for this year. If it comes to that, then Germany recognizes dual citizenship and a simple proof of identity is enough.
Language and integration
In § 10 StAG it is stated as a prerequisite that the applicant for naturalization (Einbürgerung) 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 four years of instruction at a German school.
It is important for integration to pass a successful naturalization test. 17 out of 33 questions must be answered at least correctly. The naturalization test is proof of knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany.
Length of stay with blue card
What is important is how long you stay in Germany with a blue card and how long you stay in Germany with a legal residence title. A tolerance permit (Duldung) is not considered a legal residence title. Generally speaking, you must have at least 8 years of legal residence in Germany.
The residence period of 8 years can be shortened only with exceptions. If one can show a completed naturalization test/integration test, then naturalization (Einbürgerung) is possible after only 7 years if all other requirements are met.
If one can prove voluntary work or a B2 language certificate, then naturalization (Einbürgerung) is also possible after 6 years. Here, too, all other conditions must be met, of course. naturalization (Einbürgerung) after 3 years is granted if you have been married to a German citizen for at least 2 years and meet all other requirements.
Costs for naturalization (Einbürgerung)
The costs for a naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card are the same as for all other naturalizations. Basically, according to the federal government’s website, you pay 255 euros per person for each naturalization (Einbürgerung). If a minor child is naturalized with the parents, then naturalization (Einbürgerung) costs 51 euros for each child.
What papers are needed for naturalization (Einbürgerung)?
To apply for naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card, you need different papers or forms and documents. Only with a complete application do you have a chance of your application for naturalization (Einbürgerung) ending positively.
Application form
The most important document for the application for naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card is the application form. Each authority has its own document. This must be downloaded from the website of the foreigner’s registration office (Ausländerbehörde). 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 make a statement that you are making a commitment to the German state. This document must be signed by you personally. Without your own signature on the declaration of loyalty, your blue card naturalization (Einbürgerung) application will not be successful.
Proof of livelihood
In order for it to be calculated whether you can support yourself and your family, you need proof. The three most recent pay stubs are important. There is no specific minimum requirement for income as proof. The naturalization authority has the task of making a forecast of your future livelihood.
It also does not matter whether you are still in the probationary period, are in a fixed-term employment relationship or are working for an unlimited period. The important criterion is the prognosis itself and it does not depend on your employment. We get people being told that you can’t apply for naturalization (Einbürgerung) without permanent employment. This is not legally correct!
Residential and rental documents
In order to make a prediction about your livelihood, the naturalization authorities require housing and rental documents. It is important to have a certificate of the rental property signed by the landlord. Here it must be evident how large your apartment is and what the cost of monthly rent.
Other documents
It is important that you have a document that proves your identity. If it is possible, your passport or ID card from your home country would be the best proof. If your home country does not renew passports or ID cards, then an alternative document such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate or driver’s license is possible. It is important that your date of birth, place of birth and nationality are clearly identifiable.
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 residing in Germany. This is a basic requirement for the successful completion of the blue card naturalization (Einbürgerung) application.
Additionally, it is important that you have written proof of participation and the results of your naturalization test. Here, it is crucial that you can successfully prove the test with at least 17 correct answers out of 33 questions. The naturalization test is valid when taken and does not need to be repeated after successfully passing.
Advantages of naturalization (Einbürgerung) with blue card
Blue card naturalization (Einbürgerung) offers very many positive aspects and is worthwhile. Different important advantages come together here, which in the end make it worthwhile to apply for naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card.
Travel options
With the German passport you have the possibility to travel visa-free to more than 190 countries worldwide. This makes the German passport one of the strongest 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 immigrant who applies for German citizenship with a blue card benefits from all the rights of a German citizen after a positive naturalization decision. Thus, with a German passport, the right to freedom of assembly and association applies. So you can participate in demonstrations and organize with others to rallies and demonstrations.
Freedom of association means that you can form your own party or organization. An important political right associated with German citizenship is the right to vote. You can therefore vote in all elections in Germany and have a say in political developments.
Easier credit application
With successful naturalization (Einbürgerung), it is even easier for you to obtain a loan to build a home 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 is that your naturalization (Einbürgerung) shows additional trust, transparency and integration and something like that is also rewarded by a credit institution.
Summary
As you can see, blue card naturalization (Einbürgerung) is very complex. Enclosed you will find the most important points again briefly and concisely for overview:
- 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 requirements apply to naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card as to all other applications for naturalization (Einbürgerung).
- It may be possible to be naturalized after only 7,6 or 3 years with a blue passport.
- With naturalization (Einbürgerung), applying for a loan is easier
- With the naturalization (Einbürgerung) with blue card it is possible to travel to over 190 countries visa-free
- With naturalization (Einbürgerung), you can vote in all elections in Germany and have all the rights that any other German citizen has.
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FAQ – The most important questions and answers about naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card
naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card is no different from the normal process of naturalization (Einbürgerung). Orientation is § 10 StAG. All requirements from this legal requirement must be submitted in addition to the application for naturalization (Einbürgerung).
The blue card is a residence permit to facilitate the naturalization (Einbürgerung) highly qualified academics. The aim is to integrate highly qualified academics from abroad into the German labor market and thus to remedy the shortage of skilled workers in various academic professions.
For naturalization (Einbürgerung) with a blue card, the same language requirements apply as for any other naturalization (Einbürgerung). Minimum requirement is a B1 certificate. You are only exempt from a B1 certificate if you can prove that you have completed school in Germany after grade 10. If you have completed a university degree in Germany, no B1 certificate is required. The same applies to the completion of vocational training.
naturalization (Einbürgerung) 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 that you fulfill all other requirements.
