2026 salary and contract checks
The standard gross annual threshold is €50,700. Defined shortage cases can use €45,934.20 with Federal Employment Agency approval; qualifying recent graduates have a separate lower-threshold provision. The offered work must last at least six months and satisfy the qualification-related conditions. Check the occupational classification rather than assuming a concession from nationality.
IT experience without a formal degree
This provision requires university-level IT experience for at least three of the previous seven years, an appropriate IT offer of at least six months and gross annual pay of at least €45,934.20 in 2026. Unspecified experience or bootcamp attendance is not equivalent evidence. Prepare references covering dates and actual duties.
Recognition and settlement
Check the qualification itself; a university’s database rating does not prove every degree comparable. The federal page describes settlement possibilities after 27 months with A1 German or 21 with B1. These are conditional application possibilities, not automatic permanent residence.
Before submission
Reconcile the duties, salary and dates across the contract and application documents. Follow the mission’s instructions, and check any required professional authorisation. Ask for clarification where an unusual qualification or concession is central to the case. This article does not certify your evidence or promise a processing date.
Questions before acting
Can an IT applicant qualify without a degree?
There is a specific experience provision with conditions on the experience, offer and salary.
Is settlement automatic?
No. The official guidance describes a conditional application possibility.
Corrections in this revision
The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:
- €45,300 and €41,042 incorrectly labelled current
- H+ rating treated as recognition of every degree
- 33-month A1 settlement and unsupported statistics
Review scope: legal and financial statements in this revised article. Recheck on a provider, professional, immigration or tax-rule change; reuse of dated figures requires a new check.
See recorded sources
- Germany: EU Blue Card — Germany. Federal guidance read 26 September 2026; salary amounts explicitly for 2026
These primary references have the jurisdiction, product and scope stated above. A source link is not proof of personalised eligibility.
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About the author
António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.
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