Do you qualify?
SAP consulting has two distinct tracks with different ISCO-08 classifications and different salary thresholds. Read both before applying.
Technical track (ABAP, BASIS, SAP BTP, Integration, Architecture): ISCO-08 group 2511 (Systems analysts) or 2512 (Software developers) — sub-major group 25, shortage occupation.
- Required salary: at least €45,934.20 gross/year (2026)
Functional track (FI, CO, MM, SD, HCM, PP): ISCO-08 group 2421 (Management and organisation analysts) — sub-major group 24, not a shortage occupation.
- Required salary: at least €50,700 gross/year (2026, general Blue Card threshold)
- The § 18g(2) IT exception does not apply to the functional track
You also need a recognised degree and a German job offer for at least 6 months.
Degree recognition for Moroccan qualifications
Technical track
The Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État (5 years, ISCED 7) in Génie Informatique or Génie Logiciel is the primary credential. ENSIAS (filière Génie Logiciel, and notably the eMBI — e-Management & Business Intelligence filière, which is unusually well-suited for SAP technical roles), INPT (Systems Engineering), and EMI (Génie Informatique) are the most relevant. Check at anabin.kmk.org that your institution is H+ and your programme is listed.
A 3-year Licence LMD en Informatique at ISCED 6 also qualifies, provided both the institution and programme appear in anabin.
Functional track
The standard Moroccan credentials are:
- DENCG (Diplôme des Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion): A 5-year Bac+5 programme awarded by the ENCG network (Settat, Casablanca, Tanger, Marrakech, Kénitra, and others), classifiable at ISCED 7. Check each ENCG campus separately in anabin — some campuses are listed as individual institutions under their affiliated public university, others under ENCG directly.
- ISCAE (Institut Supérieur de Commerce et d'Administration des Entreprises): Casablanca and Rabat campuses. Master-level diplomas in Gestion, Finance, and Audit — verify in anabin.
- Master LMD en Gestion / Finance / Comptabilité from a recognised public Moroccan university — qualifies at ISCED 7 if both institution and programme are listed.
Important: The 2024 CNPN reform introduced an intermediate "Licence en Commerce et Gestion" after year 3 of the ENCG cycle. This intermediate diploma is ISCED 6 only. The full 5-year DENCG is what qualifies at ISCED 7. If your diploma is the intermediate Licence, the functional track requires a salary of €50,700 and the degree is at bachelor's level — not master's level.
Salary thresholds (2026)
| Track | ISCO-08 | Salary minimum | Shortage? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical (ABAP, BASIS, BTP) | 2511 / 2512 | €45,934.20 | Yes |
| Functional (FI, CO, MM, SD) | 2421 | €50,700 | No |
Two routes to the Blue Card (technical track only)
Route 1 — degree: Diplôme d'Ingénieur or Licence LMD Informatique from an H+ institution with the programme listed.
Route 2 — IT exception (§ 18g(2)): Technical track only. 3 of the last 7 years as a technical SAP consultant at university level. SAP certifications (SAP Certified Technology Associate — ABAP, BASIS, BTP) support the dossier but do not replace the experience requirement.
The § 18g(2) IT exception does not apply to the functional track. Functional SAP consulting is classified as business analysis (ISCO 2421), not IT work. Functional consultants without a recognised degree have no Blue Card path — consider § 19c(2) (professionally qualified worker) as an alternative track with a lawyer's guidance.
Worked examples
Technical: Khalid's Blue Card application
Khalid Ouchen, 32, SAP ABAP developer, Casablanca to Frankfurt
Diplôme d'Ingénieur from ENSIAS (filière eMBI, 2016). Checks ENSIAS and the eMBI programme in anabin. Apostille from Moroccan MFA. Registered address in Casablanca — applies at the Consulate General Casablanca.
Eight years working in SAP: first 3 years as a junior ABAP developer at a Moroccan ERP integrator, then 5 years as a senior SAP ABAP and BTP consultant at a Big-Four tech services arm. Holds SAP Certified Technology Associate — ABAP (supporting evidence only).
Job offer: SAP Technical Consultant at a Frankfurt manufacturing company, €62,000 gross/year. Outcome: qualifies under Route 1 (shortage). Settlement permit at 21 months with German B1.
Functional: Leila's Blue Card application
Leila Hajji, 29, SAP FI/CO consultant, Rabat to Munich
DENCG from ENCG Settat (Bac+5, Finance-Comptabilité, 2019). Checks ENCG Settat in anabin to confirm H+ status and that the DENCG Finance programme is listed. Apostille from Moroccan MFA. Applies at the German Embassy Rabat.
Five years of experience: SAP FI/CO configuration and implementation at a Rabat consulting firm serving Moroccan subsidiaries of European groups.
Job offer: SAP FI/CO Functional Consultant at a Munich automotive supplier, €52,000 gross/year.
Outcome: does not clear the functional track threshold. €52,000 is below the required €50,700 general Blue Card minimum for ISCO group 2421 (functional SAP is not a shortage occupation). With a revised offer of €51,000 or higher she qualifies. Her employer adjusts the offer to €53,000 and she qualifies under Route 1.
Document checklist
Technical and functional Route 1:
- Passport (at least 2 empty pages)
- Degree certificate with Moroccan MFA apostille
- Academic transcript with Moroccan MFA apostille
- anabin printout or ZAB Statement of Comparability
- Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis
- Health insurance confirmation
Technical § 18g(2):
- Experience letters (ABAP version, SAP modules worked on, architecture and design decisions, BTP components, client environments) and payslips. SAP certifications as attachments.
Which German mission handles your application
Embassy Rabat and Consulate General Casablanca both handle employment visas. Jurisdiction follows your registered address. Confirm before booking via digital.diplo.de.
Common mistakes
Assuming functional SAP consulting gets the shortage-occupation discount. ISCO group 2421 (management analysts) is not on the shortage list. Functional consultants need €50,700, not €45,934.20.
Submitting the intermediate ENCG Licence (year 3) instead of the full DENCG (year 5). The intermediate diploma is ISCED 6, not ISCED 7. The consulate will classify it as a bachelor's level credential, not a master's.
Using the ENCG campus name without checking anabin per campus. Each ENCG campus is affiliated to a different public university and may be listed separately. Settat, Casablanca, Tanger, and Marrakech may each have their own entry — or may be listed under the parent university. Check your specific campus.
When you need a lawyer
Consider one for functional track applicants if your salary offer is near the €50,700 threshold, if your DENCG programme is not individually listed in anabin, or if you hold the intermediate ENCG Licence rather than the full 5-year DENCG. Technical track: if the ABAP/BASIS/BTP scope in your letters is hard to separate from junior implementation work.
We are not a law firm and this page does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is SAP consulting a shortage occupation in Germany? The technical track (ABAP, BASIS, BTP — ISCO 2511/2512) qualifies as a shortage occupation at €45,934.20. The functional track (FI/CO/MM/SD — ISCO 2421) is not a shortage occupation and requires €50,700.
Does a DENCG degree from ENCG Settat qualify for the Blue Card? Potentially yes, if ENCG Settat is H+ in anabin and the DENCG Finance or Management programme is individually listed. Verify both conditions at anabin.kmk.org for your specific campus before applying.
Can a functional SAP consultant use § 18g(2)? No. § 18g(2) is limited to IT professionals. Functional SAP consulting is classified as business analysis (ISCO 2421), not IT. The IT exception does not apply.
Sources
- § 18g AufenthG, Bundesministerium der Justiz
- EU Blue Card: Make it in Germany
- anabin database, KMK / ZAB
- German Embassy Rabat · German CG Casablanca
Not legal advice. Verify current requirements with the relevant German mission before applying.
See also
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