EU Blue Card Germany: Philippines Applicants 2026

Worked example: Maria Santos, BS CS, Manila to Berlin

Maria Santos, 26, holds a BS Computer Science from De La Salle University Manila. DLSU carries an H+ rating in anabin; her 4-year BS CS programme is listed in the comments field, so no ZAB Zeugnisbewertung is required.

She works as a backend developer at Accenture Philippines in Taguig with 3 years of experience. A Berlin company offers her a Backend Developer role at €52,000 gross per year on a permanent contract. The role falls under ISCO-08 group 25 (Information Technology Professionals), a designated shortage occupation. The salary clears the €45,934.20 shortage-occupation threshold under § 18g(1) AufenthG.

Maria applies at the German Embassy Manila (the sole German mission in the Philippines). She submits: national visa application form, signed employment contract, Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis completed by her German employer, BS CS degree certificate and complete Transcript of Records with DFA apostille, BIR Form 2316 for the last 2 years, and 3 months of payslips. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit approves automatically (shortage occupation; no labour-market test). Processing takes 7 weeks. Maria registers at her Berlin address and books a Landesamt für Einwanderung appointment for her EU Blue Card.

Settlement timeline: 21 months from registration if Maria reaches B1 German; 27 months at A1 with confirmed pension contributions (§ 18g(3) AufenthG).

Philippines-specific document requirements

• Apostille: DFA apostille required on degree certificate and Transcript of Records. The Philippines has been a Hague Convention member since May 2019.
• Salary documents: BIR Form 2316 (most recent year) plus 3 months of payslips. A Certificate of Employment from your current employer is also accepted.
• Academic documents: Original BS degree certificate and complete Transcript of Records. If any document is in Filipino, obtain a certified English translation.
• No Sperrkonto required. The Blue Card salary demonstrates financial sufficiency.

Common mistakes for Filipino applicants

1. TOR without DFA apostille. The Embassy requires apostille on academic documents. Do not confuse with PSA authentication used for civil registration documents.
2. Missing the Erklärung form. The employer must complete the Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis separately from the employment contract.
3. Unrequested documents. NBI Clearance, PSA Birth Certificate, and TESDA certificates are not required for the Blue Card.
4. Booking a visa appointment before apostille is complete. DFA apostille takes 2 to 4 weeks. Start the process before booking your appointment slot.

When you need a lawyer

Most Blue Card applications from the Philippines do not require a lawyer. Consider one if your university is H+/- in anabin, you are applying under the IT exception (§ 18g(2) AufenthG) with no formal degree, or your employer needs guidance completing the Erklärung form.

To find a certified immigration lawyer, use the German Bar Association lawyer search.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• § 18g AufenthG: EU Blue Card (Bundesministerium der Justiz)
• Visa requirements, German Embassy Manila
• anabin database, KMK Central Office for Foreign Education
• EU Blue Card, Make it in Germany

We are not a law firm. This page provides general information only, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the German Embassy Manila before applying.