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Residence permit application for EU Blue Card after your arrival in Germany

Jana Koehler

Our complete guide through the different steps you need to follow to apply for your electronic residence permit (eAT) and get your EU Blue Card after entering Germany.

In this guide we’ll explain

  • how you can apply for your EU Blue Card residence permit

  • which documents you need for your application

  • how to book an appointment for your residence permit application

  • what waiting periods to expect after submitting your residence permit application

In case you are not applying for an EU Blue Card but for another residence title to take up employment, for example IT specialist or qualified employment in Germany, you can still follow the steps in this guide.

If you have entered Germany with a work visa, then you can already start working in your new job before getting your residence permit. Just keep in mind that the visa is usually only valid for 90 days and that you need to convert it into a residence permit during this period.

In case you are located outside Germany and need a visa to enter Germany, then start with our guide to apply for the EU Blue Card visa.

Step 1: Find out if you are eligible for an EU Blue Card

Read up on the EU Blue Card requirements and other residence titles for employment or run our quick check to make sure you meet the requirements for EU Blue Card applicants.

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Step 2: Find an accommodation

Are you still staying in an AirBnB, with friends or in a hotel right now? Then this is the first important step towards getting your EU Blue Card: You need a place to stay where you can also formally register your residence and receive mail. This is a mandatory step before you can open a bank account, apply for a tax number and your residence permit.

If you are moving to Germany from abroad, we usually recommend booking a furnished apartment for the first 2 to 4 months of your stay in Germany. This way you can find out in which part of town you would like to live before you decide on a long-term apartment. There have also been an increasing number of scams on apartment platforms recently. You can protect yourself from something like this if you already know your way around locally instead of renting from a distance.

Before booking a furnished apartment or short term stay, do ask the landlord if they can provide issue you a so-called "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" - a confirmation by your landlord. You will need this document to register in Germany (“Anmeldung”). In addition, make sure that you can receive letters at this address as you will receive some important documents by mail once you have completed your city registration.

You can book fully furnished apartments and rooms on these platforms:

For more info, take a look at this article with a full list of housing platforms in Germany.

Step 3: Do your city registration (“Anmeldung”)

Once you have found accommodation, you can do your formal city registration (“Anmeldung”). For this, you need an appointment at your local citizens' office and a confirmation from your landlord (“Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung”). Here is a full guide on how to register in Germany, including links to the local citizens’ office and what documents you need to bring.

If you are moving with your family, remember that each family member needs to register. You can make an appointment for all of you together, but you will usually need to fill out a separate registration form for each person.

Once you have made your registration you will receive a certificate of registration (“Meldebescheinigung”). This document is very important because you will need it for the following steps.

In big cities like Berlin, it is often difficult to get an appointment at the Bürgeramt. In this case, instead of the city registration, some authorities also accept a rental contract and the confirmation of the landlord as proof of your main residence. In addition, make sure that you can receive letters at this address as you will receive some important documents by mail once you have completed your city registration. In any case, do make sure that you can receive letters at this address as you will be receiving some important documents by post later on.

🕒 No processing time. The registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) will be issued to you directly at your registration appointment.

Step 4: Sign-up for health insurance

If you entered Germany with a visa, you have most likely already enrolled for health insurance. In this case, inform your health insurance provider about your local address after you have registered.

If you entered Germany without a visa, this is an important requirement before applying for your EU Blue Card residence permit. As a resident of Germany, a valid health insurance is mandatory and you need to provide proof of health insurance when you apply for your EU Blue Card residence permit, so your next steps is to sign up with a health insurance provider. Before registering, make sure you know the ins and outs of health insurance in Germany. There are two types of health insurance schemes: Public and private health insurance. Learn more about the topic here.

Do you want to enroll for German health insurance? Our partner Feather Insurances allows you to get a price estimate for different German Health Insurance providers and to enroll with a provider of your choice to get your proof of health insurance:

  • Sign up for public health insurance: Excellent coverage which includes cover care for pre-existing conditions and dependent family members. For salaried employees (from anywhere) or self-employed people (from other EU countries).

  • Sign up for private health insurance: Excellent coverage for salaried employees (earning over 69.300 € annual gross salary). This type of policy is often much less expensive than public health insurance and includes better access to cutting-edge procedures and specialist doctors.

    🕒 Health insurance confirmation: Usually provided immediately after registration or within 1-3 days.

Step 5: Prepare documents for your residence permit application

You will need a number of documents for your EU Blue Card application. As a first step, go on the website of your local foreigners authority and carefully go through the instructions and list of documents provided on their website. You can use this navigator to find out which foreigners authority is responsible in the city you live in.

If you already applied for a visa before moving to Germany, you will find that many of the documents required for your EU Blue Card application are the same documents that were required when you applied for your entry visa to Germany.

Here is a list of documents you will definitely need:

  • Valid passport

  • Valid visa and proof of entry date to Germany (for example entry stamps in your passport)

  • Biometric photos (3,5 x 4,5 cm with light background)

  • Completed and signed application form for issuance of a residence permit

  • University degree certificates or in case of IT specialists proof of minimum three years of work experience within the last seven years

  • For academic degrees obtained outside Germany: Anabin excerpts or Statement of Comparability proving that your academic degree is recognized in Germany

  • If you are working in a regulated profession (e.g. doctors, teachers): professional practice permit

  • City registration certificate (“Meldebescheinigung”) (see step 3)

  • Proof of health insurance (see step 4)

  • In some cases: Proof of income (payslips of the last 3 months)

Documents you need to request from your employer: 

Step 6: Schedule your appointment at the local foreigners authority (“Ausländerbehörde”)

To apply for your EU Blue Card residence permit, you need to book an appointment at your local foreigners authority (“Ausländerbehörde”). Every administrative district and city in Germany has its own foreigners authority. They go by different names and the application process also differs. Which foreigners authority is responsible for you depends on where you are registered, meaning where you did your city registration (“Anmeldung”).

Here are some examples:

  • Berlin - Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA): Make sure to have scanned copies of all required documents ready and submit your EU Blue Card application online and wait for feedback. In case your current residence title expires soon and you have not heard back from them, you can contact the responsible department via email. Read more about this here (for English language, scroll to the end of the page).

  • Frankfurt - Ordnungsamt - Ausländerangelegenheiten: Make sure to have scanned copies of all required documents ready and submit your EU Blue Card application online and wait for feedback.

  • Munich - Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR): You first have to complete an online application and submit your documents. After approval, you will then receive an appointment. This link takes you directly to the online portal.

  • Hamburg - Hamburg Welcome Center or your local district office (“Bezirksamt”): You can submit your documents online to the Welcome Center and you will receive an appointment when your documents have been checked.

🕒 Waiting times for residence permit appointments:

  • Berlin: 4 - 6 weeks

  • Munich: 2 - 3 months

  • Hamburg: 2 - 4 months

Need help with your residence permit? Take a look at our relocation services.

Step 7: Go for your residence permit appointment

At your appointment, you will be met by an employee of the foreigners office who will check your documents. Usually this takes no more than 15 minutes and you will be asked to take a seat in the waiting room while your application is being processed. Unfortunately, some of the employees on site only speak German and no English. Don't let this put you off and always try to remain friendly. If you do not speak German at all, you can take a translator or a relocation consultant with you.

If a document is missing or questions arise, you will usually get a new appointment in a few days to collect the documents and submit a new application. In this case, try to clarify exactly what document is needed to avoid misunderstandings.

If your application for the EU Blue Card is approved, you will have to pay an administrative fee, usually 100 € for the first issuance. The fee is paid directly on site at a separate pay station, and in most cases you can pay by cash or card. If your application is rejected or you need to submit additional documents, no fee is charged.

💶 Fees for the first issuance: 100 €, for an extension by up to three months: 96 €

Step 8: Receive your electronic residence permit (eAT)

If you are lucky, the residence permit will be issued to you directly on the spot and you will receive an electronic residence permit later on by post. However, in some cases, you may not get it directly and you will be mailed the residence permit, or you will be notified and have to pick it up on site once it has been processed.

The electronic residence permit is a plastic card that contains a chip on which your personal and biometric data is stored. Together with the identity card, it serves as proof of identity and proof of your stay in Germany. You will also receive a separate letter with the PIN and PUK for your electronic residence permit. Read more about the functions of the electronic residence permit here.

🕒 Average processing time for electronic residence permits: 4 - 6 weeks

To start working in Germany, you will also need a bank account and a German tax id. This article will give you a full overview of these steps.

Important note: Our HalloGermany articles are written with utmost care to explain careers and paperwork in Germany. However, please note that the content presented here does neither constitute nor replace any form of legal advice. We highly recommend consulting a lawyer for any legal concerns you may have.

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