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So you are a software engineer, a product manager, a project manager, or an IT support specialist, and you are looking to explore new opportunities abroad, in Germany to be precise, that might be an interesting choice. Tech jobs are pretty much available anywhere in the world, but Germany offers amazing opportunities for Tech experts to thrive and attain fulfillment with very satisfactory pay. Irrespective of what your skillsets are, there is a tech job that fits your profile…
Before you proceed – are you interested in remote or permanent jobs abroad? Visit our job board here…
An interesting fact from the German Federal Employment Agency shows that 1 out of 10 jobs is for developers – and these vacancies take an average of 167 days to fill! Interesting right? Some of the unmatched advantages of working in Germany are a good work-life balance, above-average holidays, and good working conditions.
How much do developers earn in Germany?
Averagely, a software developer in Germany earns about €50,000 per year – but this factor is dependent on the level of experience (in terms of years), and areas of expertise. These employment offers often come with additional benefits such as bonuses and commissions.
Interested in software development? Check out some interesting advice for beginners, on what to learn and how to get started!
Worth mention – in terms of salaries, here is how much IT professionals earn on averagely, by industry basis;
- Consumer goods (€71,400)
- Banking (€71,000)
- Automotive (€69,400)
- Medical and pharmaceutical (€67,900)
- Metal industry (€67,500).
Salaries
Salaries are also dependent on location. Some cities you should fix your eyes on are;
- Berlin – Berlin has become a hotspot for startups, so if you’d prefer to work in a startup since this way you can expand your skills and really make an impact, this is the right place for you.
- Munich – Munich is home to some of Germany’s largest companies like BMW and Allianz but also to international giants like Google, IBM, and Microsoft. Munich is especially well-suited for those who want to work in application development and artificial intelligence.
- Stuttgart – Stuttgart is home to top luxury car brands like Porsche and Daimler.
- Hamburg – Hamburg’s reputation as a tech hub began in 2001 when Google set up its headquarters in Germany here. Facebook followed in 2010 and Airbnb in 2011. Nowadays, you can also find jobs with companies like Microsoft, Twitter, and Dropbox.
Getting a residence permit in Germany
Thinking of moving to Germany now yeah? A good option to consider is a residence permit – in accordance with Section 19c (2) AufenthG (German Residence Act) in conjunction with Section 6 BeschV (German Employment Regulation) to obtain qualified employment in Germany, regardless of the degree that you hold.
Not sure you need a Visa to enter Germany?
Who is exempted?
Citizens of EU and EFTA Member States
Citizens of EU and EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland) are entitled to freedom of movement and have unrestricted access to the German labour market. They do not require a visa or a residence permit to enter and obtain employment in Germany.
Third country nationals (non-EU/non-EFTA states)
Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can enter Germany without a visa. However, they are required to apply for a residence permit prior to obtaining employment. Citizens of these countries can contact their local Foreigners’ Authority directly and may also do so, even when they are already living in Germany.
Except you fall into these categories, ALL other third-country nationals must submit a visa application to their local German embassy or consulate prior to entering Germany… Ref: Make it in Germany.
Heyyy… Check out some interesting remote job opportunities here!
Requirements for a German Work Visa
Here are the requirements to acquire a work visa in Germany;
- You have been offered a job in the IT sector in Germany.
- You are able to provide proof of at least three years of experience in IT over the last seven years. Your professional experience adequately qualifies you for the job you would like to pursue.
- You are able to provide proof of the relevant theoretical knowledge required for the job in question in the form of training courses and exams.
- Your potential position in Germany is remunerated with a gross annual salary of at least € 50,760.00 (as of 2022).
- Your German language skills are at a minimum level of B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In individual cases, you do not have to provide proof of German language skills, if the language spoken at work is not German.
The German Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve your request for employment. As part of this process, the BA will assess whether your employment conditions (salary, working hours, etc.) are equivalent to those of domestic employees.
What opportunities does a work visa for IT specialists offer?
As long as your work contract remains valid, you can apply to extend your residence permit. The general conditions in accordance with Section 9 AufenthG (German Residence Act) are applicable to the settlement permit.
