Moving to Germany as a childcare worker
The indicative childcare worker salary band is short of the 2026 EU Blue Card threshold.
Mean gross earnings of the "Service and sales workers" ISCO-08 major group — 2,234 €/month, about 26,808 €/year — sit below the 50,700 €/year threshold; the gap is about 23,892 €/year. Senior roles and shortage-list entries can still clear it individually.
- Blue Card threshold 2026
- 50,700 €/year (general rate)
- Shortage-occupation rate
- 45,934 €/year — this occupation is not on Germany's 2026 shortage list
- Indicative salary band
- 2,234 €/month (ISCO major-group mean, SES 2022)
- Regulated profession
- See the recognition portal
How the threshold applies
The general 2026 threshold of 50,700 €/year applies because this occupation is not on Germany's 2026 shortage list. Both thresholds are statutory gross annual salary and change every January; the number on this page is the value.
Recognition and next steps
Check recognition requirements on the official portal.
Continue with the Germany country profile, the visa route overview, or compare German cities by cost and salary.