Federal Republic of Germany
EU Blue Card (Germany): government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Source auto-reconfirmed 25 September 2026 by the daily automated check (figures unchanged since last review).
The EU Blue Card in Germany has EUR 175 in core government application fees for a visa-required single applicant: EUR 75 for the national visa and EUR 100 for first residence-title issuance. Photos and any translations are separate third-party costs.
These are the fees paid to the Federal Republic of Germany government. For sponsored routes, the payer varies by country and component; use the item notes and primary source to confirm whether the sponsor, applicant, or both pay. Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the EU Blue Card (Germany) cost in Germany?
The EU Blue Card in Germany has EUR 175 in core government application fees for a visa-required single applicant: EUR 75 for the national visa and EUR 100 for first residence-title issuance. Photos and any translations are separate third-party costs.
Source checked against Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card on 21 July 2026.
Headline total
€175
Single applicant, government application fees only
No changes recorded for this figure since 21 July 2026.
Currency
EUR (Euro)
Last checked
21 July 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
National visa (D-visa) at German mission abroad# Required for entry to Germany; followed by a residence-title application inside Germany. | €75 | Yes |
Residence title (Blue Card) — issuance# Charged at the local Ausländerbehörde on first issuance. Set by §45 Aufenthaltsverordnung. | €100 | Yes |
Residence title — extension# | €96 | Optional |
Residence title — settlement permit conversion# Niederlassungserlaubnis fee after meeting the 21/27-month Blue Card pathway to settlement. | €113 | Optional |
Biometric passport photos (local photo studio)# | €10 | Yes |
Certified translation of diploma (if required)# Recognition via anabin database may replace this; check degree H+ status first. | €100 | Optional |
Worked example
Single applicant, government application fees only — €175
- €75 D-visa at mission abroad
- €100 residence-title issuance at Ausländerbehörde
How to read these fees
The €175 headline covers single applicant, government application fees only. Of the 6 components listed above, 3 are mandatory and 3 are optional add-ons (such as priority processing) you can choose to skip. The single biggest mandatory line is Residence title (Blue Card) — issuance at €100.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
Family reunion D-visas: €75 each. Residence titles for family members: €100 on issuance, €96 on extension. Children under 18 pay reduced rates (typically half).
Why fees change
Federal fees in the Aufenthaltsverordnung have been stable since 2023 (§45 AufenthV: €100 residence-title issuance; €75 national visa). Länder administer issuance and can charge modest local surcharges. Always confirm with the responsible Ausländerbehörde.
Primary source
Make it in Germany — EU Blue Card
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "EU Blue Card (Germany) fee schedule", https://visaatlas.org/fees/germany/eu-blue-card. Last checked 21 July 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/fees
Frequently asked questions
How much does the EU Blue Card (Germany) cost in government fees?
The EU Blue Card in Germany has EUR 175 in core government application fees for a visa-required single applicant: EUR 75 for the national visa and EUR 100 for first residence-title issuance. Photos and any translations are separate third-party costs. The worked example assumes single applicant, government application fees only, totalling €175. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
Federal fees in the Aufenthaltsverordnung have been stable since 2023 (§45 AufenthV: €100 residence-title issuance; €75 national visa). Länder administer issuance and can charge modest local surcharges. Always confirm with the responsible Ausländerbehörde.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Family reunion D-visas: €75 each. Residence titles for family members: €100 on issuance, €96 on extension. Children under 18 pay reduced rates (typically half).
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the EU Blue Card (Germany).
Processing time
How long the EU Blue Card (Germany) takes from application to decision.
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Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.