EU Blue Card vs EU Blue Card (Netherlands)

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your work experience and how quickly you want permanent residency. Both are EU Blue Cards, but Germany's version is faster and requires no prior experience, while the Netherlands' option demands 5 years of background and a longer path to PR. Your salary, location preference, and timeline matter most here.

1. 01

   Work experience requirement

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick Germany if you're early in your career with zero years of experience needed.

   Pick EU Blue Card NL

   Pick Netherlands only if you have at least 5 years of documented work experience.

2. 02

   Speed to permanent residency

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick Germany for faster PR eligibility at roughly 2 years versus Netherlands at 5 years.

   Pick EU Blue Card NL

   Pick Netherlands if you're willing to wait longer for PR but want EU-wide mobility after 12 months.

3. 03

   Application costs

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick Germany for a significantly lower visa cost of $120 instead of $380.

   Pick EU Blue Card NL

   Pick Netherlands only if cost is not a constraint in your decision.

4. 04

   Processing speed

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick Germany if you need a decision within 2-4 months on average.

   Pick EU Blue Card NL

   Pick Netherlands if you can wait 1-3 months and prioritize slightly faster processing.

Is the EU Blue Card or the EU Blue Card (Netherlands) faster to get?

The EU Blue Card (Netherlands) (EU Blue Card NL) 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 EU Blue Card NL?

The EU Blue Card (Netherlands) (EU Blue Card NL) costs more, about $380 in official fees, versus $120 for the EU Blue Card (§18g AufenthG). 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 EU Blue Card (Netherlands)?

The §18g AufenthG leads to permanent residency in roughly 2 years, while the EU Blue Card NL leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do the §18g AufenthG and EU Blue Card NL need a job offer?

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