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After termination: Is the Blue Card still valid for 3 months?
- Mirko Vorreuter
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Three months after the termination – what is the truth behind the rumor?
There is a persistent rumor in the expat community that the EU Blue Card is no longer valid after termination remains valid for another three months . This statement is – from a legal perspective – both true and false. It is based on a misunderstood provision in Section 18 Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act and the underlying EU Directive for highly qualified workers. This stipulates that the Blue Card should generally be issued for the duration of the employment relationship plus three months . Important: This refers to the issuance and extension of the EU Blue Card – not to its automatic continuation after job loss.
Subsequent shortening and revocation after 3 months
If a termination occurs and the immigration authorities become aware of it, they can subsequently shorten the validity period of the Blue Card or, under certain circumstances, revoke the Blue Card. Whether this actually happens depends largely on the practices of the respective authority. In Berlin, a comparatively liberal city, it is often possible to invoke the legally stipulated three months and challenge a shortening . In more restrictive authorities – such as Munich – the termination of the employment relationship is often reacted to immediately, without considering the three-month period.
Important to note: Even if the requirements for the Blue Card are no longer met after termination, this does not mean that the card automatically expires . A formal revocation or reduction of the validity period by the immigration authorities is required. In practice, this often occurs late or not at all – sometimes even months or even years later. During this time, the Blue Card remains formally valid.
What to do after termination?
The discussion about the three-month validity of the Blue Card after termination of employment is only of limited practical relevance anyway. In most cases, Blue Card holders will be skilled workers with a recognized qualification . This group of individuals will often meet the requirements for the Opportunity Card ( Sections 20a and 20b of the Residence Act ). This permits a further stay of up to twelve months in Germany to search for a job – even without a specific job offer (as long as a livelihood can be secured).
Conclusion 3 months Blue Card after termination
The widespread belief that the EU Blue Card automatically remains valid for three months after termination is a misunderstood myth with a grain of truth . In fact, the Blue Card is issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months, which legally also applies in the event of termination. However, the Blue Card does not automatically expire after three months; it remains valid until revoked by the immigration authorities. In addition, Blue Card holders are usually entitled to an Opportunity Card after termination.
The complete 3-month rule with the EU Blue Card is as follows : The EU Blue Card remains valid after termination until revoked by the immigration authorities, and the immigration authorities can revoke the EU Blue Card no earlier than 3 months after termination (unless the job loss was not reported, in which case it can be revoked sooner). However, after revocation, the Opportunity Card would be issued upon appropriate application (in most cases).
