Germany Blue Card (EU Blue Card) By Business Investment 2022
Looking to make Germany your home – or your back-up plan – in 2022? Get German residency by “sponsoring yourself” via this innovative Residency By Business Investment solution.
Thanks to an innovative suite of investment-based solutions that harnesses the European Union’s Blue Card immigration legislation, you can now obtain German permanent residency in as little as 21 or 33 months, depending on how well you speak the German language.
THE INVESTMENT BASED BLUE CARD AT A GLANCE
Fastest route to German permanent residency – either 21 or 33 months.
Move to other EU countries (even those that don’t have investment visa programs) after 1 year.
Gain EU-wide Permanent Residency Status and a host of related benefits
Earn a salary from month 1 onwards.
Enjoy access to Germany’s healthcare services
Bring your family along on this fast-track path to German PR.
Enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
Fast process – approvals granted in 60 – 90 days.
Golden Visa-like flexibility – you only need to visit Germany once per year to maintain it.
Find out more about this program below, or contact us now for a free consultation.
What exactly is the EU Blue Card program?
Launched by the central EU government in Brussels in 2009, the EU Blue Card work and residency permit program offers a streamlined path to EU settlement for highly skilled foreign professionals (i.e. third country nationals hailing from outside of the EU, EEA and Switzerland).
You can find out more about the legal basis for the Blue Card program here.
Given Europe’s ageing populations, Brussels had to do something to bring younger, skilled people to the continent with a view to remain economically competitive in the coming years and decades. And the EU Blue Card Program is one such intervention.
While the Blue Card legislation applies to all of the EU, countries have adopted it to varying degrees – and some EU countries have not issued any Blue Cards to date, e.g. Cyprus
Additionally, Denmark and Ireland don’t offer the EU Blue Card as an option at all.
In contrast to the US Green Card, which offers permanent residency status, the Blue Card is a work permit offering conditional EU settlement status only. For example: If you lose your German job, which is the basis upon which you received your German Blue Card, you’ll have only 3 months to find alternative employment before you’re no longer allowed to remain in Germany.
The Blue Card system overlaps and arguably “competes” with many of the national employment based settlement programs found throughout the EU – and it does offer some excellent benefits and differentiating traits (more on that below).
But for starters, the Blue Card offers an expedited path to German permanent residency, in as little as 21 months, provided that you can pass an intermediate-level German language test.
Moreover, Blue Card holders are also able to go settle in other EU states with ease after having spent as little as 12 to 18 months living in the country where they initially settled.
And finally, the program also offers a path to EU-wide permanent residency status, making it an immensely compelling proposition.
Germany, in particular, has embraced this program in a big way. The majority of Blue Cards issued, to date, were from Germany. According to Eurostat’s 2019 data, Germany issued a whopping 78.4% of the total Blue Cards issued throughout the EU during that year. France was responsible for issuing only 5.5% of the total Blue Cards, and Poland for only 5.7%.
Portugal, which has seen massive adoption of its D7 Visa program in the past few years, only issued 0.7% of the total Blue Cards for the same year.
| Top 10 EU Blue Card Countries 2019 | Number of Blue Cards Issued in 2019 | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Germany |
28,858
|
85.41% |
| Poland | 2,104 | 6.23% |
| Luxembourg | 677 | 2% |
| Czechia | 570 | 1.68% |
| Italy | 418 | 1.23% |
| Austria | 336 | 0.99% |
| Lithuania | 223 | 0.65% |
| Latvia | 217 | 0.57% |
| Croatia | 195 | 0.57% |
| Netherlands | 191 | 0.56% |
DATA SOURCE: EUROSTAT
How does the regular German EU Blue Card program work?
The regular EU Blue Card program – a path to EU settlement most effectively utilised by Germany – features an employment based mechanism for highly skilled professionals.
It functions in a similar way to national work permit based residency options offered by EU member states, but offers a range of distinct advantages over these programs.
First, to qualify for the EU Blue Card, you have to be a highly skilled graduate professional. Alternatively, recognized professional experience could potentially qualify you also.
Second, you have to secure a permanent job where you will earn a salary that is either 120% or 150% the national average – in this case, in Germany.
So how is the investment-based option different?
Apart from seeking conventional employment in Germany, you also have the option to obtain the German Blue Card by “sponsoring yourself” via investment:
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Buy an existing Germany company ( GmbH) and employ yourself, OR;
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Invest in a German startup or scale-up and become employed as Advisory Member OR;
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Start a new German company and employ yourself OR;
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Get hired by an existing German company and fund your own salary.
The above options essentially serve as an affordable Residency By Investment program in Germany.
Please note: Conventional self-employment types (such as freelancing, consulting, or remote service provision) may not be appropriate; the establishment of a bona fide, capitalized German business will be required. In addition minimum salary, tax and social security payments, in line with the Blue Card’s requirements, will also be mandatory).
Why choose Germany?
Highest quality of life: Munich, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf all ranked in the Top 10 Global Cities during 2019.
Country happiness index: Germans are the 7th happiest nation on earth.
Passport power: Germany boasts the 3d most powerful passport in the world, offering visa-free access to 190 global destinations.
Top tech destination: Berlin and Munich are both ranked in the Top 5 European Startup Cities, with Berlin topping the list.
Affordable Cost of living: Germany does not have a single city listed in the Top 50 Most Expensive Cities in the World ranking.
World-class healthcare: In terms of their healthcare services, Germany consistently ranks among the top countries in the world.
Safety and security: Germany was ranked 16th out of 163 countries in terms of safety and peace in the country in the 2020 Global Peace Index.
Top career destination: Germany was ranked as the 4th best work destination in the world during 2020.
EU Blue Card By Business Investment: Benefits of sponsoring yourself
Gain the legal right to live, work and study in Germany – for you and your spouse.
Enjoy visa-free access to other Schengen countries for up to 90 out of 180 days.
Fastest path to German PERMANENT residency – either 21 or 33 months, based on your German language proficiency.
No continual in-country presence requirement to maintain your residency status.
Gain access to Germany’s world-class education and healthcare systems.
Enjoy a favorable tax regime if you’re a cryptocurrency enthusiast.
Gain easy access to the thriving German domestic market and those of other EU countries.
Feel at home and integrate easily – over 56% of Germans speak English.
Key EU Blue Card Program Requirements: German Business Residency Option
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Valid passport
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No criminal record
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An honours degree from a recognized university
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Approval from the German federal employment agency
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You need to have a 12-month employment contract with a German company
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You cannot leave Germany for more than 12 consecutive months from the date your German Blue Card is issued.
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Your salary must be equal or greater to the German minimum salary threshold – and ideally higher
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A German residential address
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Comprehensive German health insurance coverage
German Blue Card vs Portuguese Golden Visa
The Blue Card… that acts like a Golden Visa – but faster, cheaper, and simpler.
German EU Blue Card |
Portuguese Golden Visa |
|---|---|
| Cashflow: Immediate return on capital via salary earnings begins as soon as your Blue Card is issued. | Capital locked up for 7 years or more. |
| Peace of mind: Work with a US based registered investment advisor who acts as a fiduciary throughout the entire process. | Alternatively, you can rely on a foreign agent and/or property developer without US ties. |
| Speed: Conditional residency can be granted in as little as 3 months. | Conditional residency earned in 16 months or more. |
| Fastest EU Permanent Residency (PR): Earn PR in only 21 months or 33 months. | Under the Golden Visa program you can only start applying for PR after holding legal residency for 5 years. |
| Fast EU naturalization: You can apply for German citizenship once you’ve held your legal residency for 7 years (or 6 years, in special circumstances). | The path to Portuguese citizenship via the Golden Visa program ranges through naturalization is also in the region of 7.5 years. |
| Passport power: Germany’s passport ranks third worldwide in the Henley & Partners latest Passport Ranking Index. | Passport power: Portugal’s passport ranks 29th worldwide in the Henley & Partners latest Passport Ranking Index. |
| Investment: Start earning a monthly salary from the moment your Blue Card is issued. | Investment: 7-year minimum capital lock-up. |
| Conditional residency earned in: 3 months. | Conditional residency earned in: 16 months. |
| Minimum in-country presence requirement: Only 1 visit per year. | Minimum in-country presence requirement: 7 days, on average, throughout your residency period. |
A Suite of Investment Based Blue Card Solutions to meet your needs
| INVESTMENT OPTIONS | SOLUTION 1 | SOLUTION 2 | SOLUTION 3 | SOLUTION 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leads to | EU Blue Card | EU Blue Card | EU Blue Card | German Settlement Permit |
| Advisory term | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | 3 years |
| Program mechanism |
Buy an existing German business of your choice that we help source. Employ yourself in your company. |
Invest in a German startup or scale-up of your choice that we help source. Become employed as an Advisory Member. |
Your provider sets up your new German company. Employ yourself in your company. |
An end-to-end solution that requires no company ownership. An existing German business acts as your employer. |
| Advisory fees |
€75,000 |
€75,000 |
€75,000 |
€50,000 |
| Additional costs |
Purchase of business (cost varies depending on the company). |
Investment in business (cost varies depending on the company). |
€25,000 share capital (funds are at the client’s discretion). |
None. |
The application process at a glance
| Date | SOLUTION 1 | SOLUTION 2 | SOLUTION 3 | SOLUTION 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | Step 1:
Contract your mobility advisor. |
Step 2:
Source and acquire existing German business. |
Step 3:
Prepare Blue Card application. |
Step 4:
EU Blue Card Approval. |
| Key action items due – provider | Onboard client | Open corporate bank account | Submission of Blue Card application and company formation. | Deliver client’s EU Blue Card. |
| Key action items due – applicant | Execute Advisory Agreement | Document compilation |
Submit documents and visit Germany to complete the application process. |
Commence employment. |
| Nature of Cost/Fees |
Professional Service & Process Facilitation Fees, including legal, advisory, processing and government fees associated with the EU Blue Card application – Payment 1. |
Balance of Professional Services Fees and Company Setup Expenses. |
Acquire a German company, if required. |
N/A |
| Payment due |
Purchase of business (cost varies depending on the company). |
Investment in business (cost varies depending on the company). |
€25,000 share capital (funds are at the client’s discretion). |
None. |
| Capital outlay |
€25,000 |
€50,000 |
Cost of buying or investing in a German company, if Solution 1 or 2 is utlized – variable cost. | None. |
| Total fees | Solution 1: €75,000; Solution 2: €75,000; Solution 3: €75,000; Solution 4: €50,000. |
Contact us now for a free consultation
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