Quick Answer
Primary Visa: EU Blue Card (shortage occupation)
Expected Salary: €55,000–€80,000/yr
Processing Time: 4-8 weeks with job offer. Application fee approx. €100.
Key Requirements: Bachelor's degree in CS or related field. No German required for Blue Card, but B1 speeds PR. 0-2 years experience typical.
Germany is one of the easiest EU countries for software engineers to enter. The EU Blue Card, reformed in 2024, has a reduced salary threshold of approximately €41,042 for shortage occupations, which includes IT roles. Most tech jobs in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg pay well above this.
You need a recognised bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, plus a job offer from a German employer. No German language skills are required for the Blue Card itself, though learning German accelerates your path to permanent residency: 21 months with B1 German, or 33 months without.
The tech ecosystem is mature. SAP, Siemens, Delivery Hero, and hundreds of funded startups hire internationally. English is the working language at most tech companies. Berlin offers the best salary-to-cost ratio, while Munich pays highest but costs more.
Path to Permanent Residency
Blue Card holders get PR in 21-33 months, among the fastest in Europe. After 6-8 years of residence, you can apply for German citizenship. The Blue Card is also portable across the EU after 12 months.
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- World Bank Open Data — GDP, population, development indicators
- OECD Data — Migration, employment, education statistics
Visa data live. Requirements may change — always verify with official government sources before making decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak German to work as a software engineer in Germany?
Not for the visa or most tech jobs. English is the working language at the majority of German tech companies, especially in Berlin. However, B1 German accelerates your permanent residency from 33 months to 21 months, and daily life outside work is easier with basic German.
What is the salary threshold for the EU Blue Card in Germany?
For shortage occupations including IT roles, the 2026 threshold is approximately €41,042/yr. Standard occupations require €46,530. Most software engineering roles in Germany pay €55,000–€80,000, well above either threshold.
Can my spouse work in Germany on a Blue Card dependent visa?
Yes. Dependents of Blue Card holders receive an unrestricted work permit. Your spouse can work in any profession without needing a separate work visa or employer sponsorship.
← Complete Germany Emigration Guide 2026
Official sources
- EU Blue Card (Section 18g AufenthG) — make-it-in-germany.com — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- arbeitsagentur.de — Germany — Skilled Worker Visa: Saisonbeschäftigung
- australien.diplo.de — Germany — Skilled Worker Visa: Working Holiday Visa Programme
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
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About the author
António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.
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