EU Blue Card vs Research Visa (§18d AufenthG)

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your education level and where you'll work. Both are German skilled worker visas with similar timelines and costs, but they have different eligibility thresholds and institutional requirements. Your academic background and employment situation will determine which path is actually available to you.

1. 01

   Education requirement

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you have a bachelor's degree and want broader job eligibility.

   Pick §18d

   Pick Research Visa if you have a PhD or are pursuing doctoral-level research.

2. 02

   Employer type

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if your employer is a standard company outside the research sector.

   Pick §18d

   Pick Research Visa if your job offer is from a recognized research institution like Max Planck or Fraunhofer.

3. 03

   Cost and processing

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if processing speed matters and you can tolerate 2-4 months.

   Pick §18d

   Pick Research Visa if you want slightly lower fees and comparable 1-3 month processing.

4. 04

   Family coverage

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you're applying solo or family sponsorship works for your situation.

   Pick §18d

   Pick Research Visa if family members need automatic coverage under your permit.

Is the EU Blue Card or the Research Visa (§18d AufenthG) faster to get?

The Research Visa (§18d AufenthG) (§18d) is typically faster, around 1–3 months, versus 2–4 months for the EU Blue Card. Real timelines depend on the country's caseload and how complete your application is.

Which costs more, the §18g AufenthG or the §18d?

The EU Blue Card (§18g AufenthG) costs more, about $120 in official fees, versus $110 for the Research Visa (§18d AufenthG) (§18d). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the EU Blue Card or the Research Visa (§18d AufenthG)?

The §18g AufenthG leads to permanent residency in roughly 2 years, while the §18d leads to permanent residency in roughly 2 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do the §18g AufenthG and §18d need a job offer?

Yes. Both the §18g AufenthG and the §18d require a job offer or employer sponsorship before you apply. Securing an eligible employer is the critical first step for either route.