If I do a 2-year masters degree in Germany as a non-EU student, then get a full-time job with a Blue Card, how many years will it take to become eligible for permanent residency (PR)?

Question

Hema A · Accepted Answer

One of the fastest routes to PR in Germany after a 2-year master&rsquo;s is through the EU Blue Card, and yes &mdash; it can take as little as 21 months, depending on your situation.

The 21-month path requires B1-level German and continuous Blue Card status.
Without B1, it takes 33 months on the Blue Card to qualify for permanent residency.
Your student visa period doesn&rsquo;t count toward this specific PR track &mdash; the clock starts from the date your Blue Card is issued.
You&rsquo;ll also need to meet the minimum salary threshold, which in 2025 is roughly &euro;45K&ndash;&euro;50K, depending on your profession and sector.

So, if you start working right after your master&rsquo;s and meet all the requirements, you could apply for PR after less than two years on the Blue Card.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

If you complete a 2-year master&rsquo;s in Germany and then get a job on a Blue Card, you can apply for permanent residency in 21 months &mdash; but only if certain conditions are met.
The 21-month rule applies if you&rsquo;re employed in a qualified role, hold an EU Blue Card, and pass the B1-level German language exam. Without B1, the timeline extends to 33 months.
Importantly, only the time spent on the Blue Card counts toward this PR timeline &mdash; your student visa years do not count for the 21- or 33-month calculation.
Also, make sure your job meets the minimum salary threshold for the Blue Card (around &euro;45,300&ndash;&euro;50,000 in 2025, depending on your field).
So if you meet the language and salary requirements, you can become eligible for PR 21 months after the Blue Card is issued.

If I do a 2-year master's degree in Germany as a non-EU student, then get a full-time job with a Blue Card, how many years will it take to become eligible for permanent residency (PR)?