Berlin
EU Blue Card
Located in the heart of Europe, Germany is a modern, tolerant and cosmopolitan society with an excellent standard of living. Superior health and education provisions, endless opportunities for sports and recreation, beautiful landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene are just some of the reasons why more than seven million foreigners have made their homes in Germany.
About Germany
EU Blue Card
Germany is the world’s fourth largest economy and Europe’s primary economic engine. German R&D is backed by billions of euros in annual federal funds, helping to make Germany the world’s leader in innovation and Europe’s first location for research.
The EU Blue Card is a residency and work permit for highly skilled workers from non-EU member-states. It enables qualified third-country citizens to immigrate to Germany legally and permanently.
Germany Crypto Environment
Germany has always treated virtual currencies as financial instruments based on a view by the German regulator, BaFin, expressed as early as 2011, that bitcoin and related assets are “units of account” akin to artificial currencies. These equate to special drawing rights that are not legal tender but can be used for payments. According to this view, trading or brokerage in virtual currencies is viewed as requiring a financial services license under the Banking Act. As for duties around the safeguarding of crypto, there has been a debate around whether crypto guarding should be compatible with other financial services. The German legislature has decided that crypto safeguarding is compatible with other financial services — in other words, crypto traders and brokers can offer an additional service to hold crypto in their wallets on behalf of customers or to safeguard and administer the private keys that open the customer’s wallet.
Country Overview
Program Overview
Location
Europe
Population
80,300,000
Currency
Euro
Language
German
Capital
Berlin
Program Overview
Legal Status
Permanent resident
Mobility
EU (Indefinitely)
Timeline
12 months
Min. Investment
325,000 EUR
Physical Presence
Min 1 visit per year
Factsheet Download
Download our free factsheet with more detailed information about this program.
Who Can Qualify?
To qualify for the German EU Blue Card, you must demonstrate an experience profile with a graduate diploma. Importantly, you must have a reasonable salary of at least 56,800 EUR in gross salary. With the help of Global RCG, we will setup company in Germany that will employ you for a minimum of 3 years. The validity of the EU Blue Card is of 4 years, but applicants that pass a German language test can qualify for permanent residence after 2 years (intermediate level) or 3 years (beginner level). If you also renew your Blue card after 4 years and remain under the same status but this will require you to demonstrate further income above the annually adjusted minimum.
Investment Requirements
For this program, you will need 325,000 EUR total capital outlay, including salary funds, company capitalization and all applicable fees. The main applicant receives a total of 180,000 EUR back in gross income over a period of three years, or 5,000 EUR per month.
Benefits
As a permanent resident, your status in the country is secure. You only need to visit Cyprus at least once every two years. The application process only takes two months. The weather is warm all year long and makes for a perfect vacation home. Cyprus offers a great tax environment and a solid banking system. Citizenship can be obtained after seven years of residency in the country.
Family
Spouses and children under 18 years old may accompany the main applicant. Spouses may seek employment in Germany.
Requirements
The requirements for the Germany EU Blue Card, besides the investment, are as follows:
- Applicants must hold a higher education degree and be considered highly skilled.
- Applicants choose a home city and are employed by a Global RCG subsidiary in that chosen city. The employment requirement must remain in effect for a period of three years. The applicant will receive an annual salary of 60,000 EUR from the contributed salary fund.
- EU Blue Card holders may leave Germany within the time of validity of the Blue Card, and are allowed to remain outside of the EU for up to a maximum of 12 months without losing their right to work and live in Germany and the EU.
Germany EU Blue Card Application Process
The German EU Blue Card application process takes 12 months to complete.
Day 0
- Verify eligibility
- Start client onboarding process with Global RCG.
- Global RCG helps you gather the required documents.
Day 1
Month 7
Month 8
Month 12
Mobility
Access to the US
As an EU Blue Card holder, you will receive a multi-exit visa allowing you to travel in and out of the Schengen Area. As an American, you can already spend 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen Area, but your resident permit will guarantee you entry into Europe even during COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Successful applicants are also able to move to another EU country after residing in Germany for at least 18 months. Permanent residents can apply for German citizenship after having lived in Germany on a resident permit for at least eight years. A civics test and B1 language proficiency must be passed.
Access to the US
Germany is a Visa Waiver country and a E2 treaty country.
Taxation
Taxation in Germany is similar to most Western countries. Taxes are raised at a federal, a state and municipal level. Germany does not levy a Wealth tax, but levies inheritance tax on German assets with exemption amount of 400,000 EUR. German taxes investment income from a local source at a reduced rate, but foreign income is taxed at a regular income tax rate.
Under the Germany EU Blue card or permanent residence, you are not required to be a tax residence in Germany. Germany and the US have signed a tax treaty to reduce double taxation. If as an American, you decide to become a tax resident in Germany, you could be exposed to additional taxation if you have significant income from the US. In those cases, you should consult a professional tax expert beforehand.
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