How to: Get an IT job in Germany (as a foreigner) (2024)
If you’re hunting for an IT job in Germany, here’s a guide on where to look for jobs, German work permits, plus additional information on the current job market, and a bonus paragraph on finding a long-term housing. Enjoy reading!
Home to a host of startup hubs, angel investors and seasoned tech companies, Germany’s tech scene has grown considerably over the last few years to become one of the most prominent in Europe. Germany is an increasingly attractive destination for IT-job seekers because it has the best IT industry in the world. There’s a shortage of skilled workers in IT-sector. In actual fact, the demand for junior tech talent in Germany doubled in 2018 and it’s believed that there are approximately 26 job openings per available junior tech worker. Three out of five German companies fear that they will not find enough engineers and IT–specialists in the future.
So, if you are already working in IT-sector, Germany may be the right country for you.
Before we jump into the local job search websites lets clarify the one important thing. There are usually two groups of foreigners looking for IT jobs in Germany: EU citizens and non EU citizens. For the first group, it’s relatively simple. If you’re from EU, EEA or Switzerland, you don’t need a permit to work in Germany as long as you have a valid passport or ID card.
If you are a non EU citizen you need to apply for a work visa or Blue Card first. We have already covered this topic in our previous publication, but nevertheless, let us once again dwell on some important aspects of this.
Company has to apply for the candidate’s work permit in Germany
Send the original signed contract to the candidate. He/she will need it for the embassy appointment.
Send the candidate a screenshot of his/her degree found in the Anabin database: is a database listing foreign higher education qualifications and academic degrees in relation to German diplomas and degrees. If the candidate brings the Anabin database screenshot to the embassy, it may speed up the process. If it’s not in the database, the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) will be in charge of certifying the degree (the candidate will have to cover a 200 EUR service fee) — if this is necessary, both sides will be informed.
Fill out the following necessary forms:
the Erlaubnis einer Beschäftigung form, a formal letter stating why the company wants to hire this specific candidate.
the Stellenbeschreibung form (which has to be very detailed, if the developer doesn’t get the Blue Card salary). Blue Card is an approved EU-wide work permit, valid up to 4 years, giving its holders a series of rights (eg. family reunification). Salaries vary depending on the candidate’s educational background: qualified employment with min. €50,080 gross p.a. or, in occupations with shortages, a gross salary of €39,624.
a proper job description
4. Submit the application to the Arbeitsagentur together with a scanned copy of the candidate’s passport and diploma (should be already translated), the candidate’s CV (also translated to German), and a copy of the contract.
5. In the meantime the candidate is applying for a German residence permit from their home country.
6. Wait until the granted work permit is sent to the embassy in the candidate’s home country/or country of application and also to the company. The candidate should now pick up his/her residence permit. In the meantime, make an appointment at the local Ausländerbehörde (for the candidate’s registration in Germany and to pick up his/her Visa), as the waiting time can oftentimes be several weeks.
7. The candidate arrives to Germany!
The candidate applies for their residence permit in the German embassy.
Receive original contract from the company: this is necessary for the appointment at the Germany embassy.
Book an appointment at the German embassy: you will need to bring the application form, passport, original contract, translated diploma. Make sure to check for available time slots as soon as possible as waiting times can be long. The embassy appointment is just to see you in person, deliver documents, and maybe have a small talk — nothing major to prepare for.
Bring the printed screenshot of your degree from the Anabin database (the company sends this to you) to the appointment. The embassy is in charge of verifying your education. If the degree is not in the database, it will be certified by Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB). The cost amounts is 200 EUR and it’d need to be covered by you.
Pick up your permit: once the work permit is granted in Germany, it will be sent to the embassy and usually also to the company. You will be informed accordingly. Pick up the documents and a passport “stamp” at the embassy.
Time to go to Germany! The process continues here, requiring registration in Berlin (Bürgerämt) and a visit to the Ausländerbehörde with all the necessary documents. From now on your company’s HR will lead you through the upcoming steps, but our instruction might be of help too.
Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB): The ZAB is the Central Office for Foreign Education. The ZAB issues the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications, which facilitates access to the German labour market for holders of foreign higher education qualifications.
Anabin: The Anabin database lists and classifies accepted foreign education certificates.
Below you will find a selection of resources for searching for employment opportunities in IT sector in Germany as a foreigner.
Monster The German version of a well-known job search site Monster.com
German IT Job Hand-picked selection of companies willing to hire global talents. English-speaking jobs only
Germany Startup Jobs Germany Startup Jobs’s aim is to connect the Germany’s innovative startup companies to the top talents. A platform with hassle-free and single step process to match the requirements of both employer and job seeker
Experteer This website boasts more than 250,000 jobs offers of IT-related jobs to start a career in the heart of Europe
Taledo Taledo connects talented professionals with market-leading companies for digital, creative and tech roles
With the huge amount of tech companies on the prowl for tech talent, it’s fair to say the demand for developers in Germany is higher than ever before, but what does that mean for tech salaries in Germany? Here is a detailed infographics to answer all your questions.
Once all the prep work is out of the way, the next thing to check off your list is locating housing near your new place of employment.
Some employers offer temporary housing while you search for a long-term housing solution. Otherwise, Airbnb and Wimdu are your best bet.
Below is a short list of sites for long-term property rentals:
A nontrivial option to maintain an IT job in Germnay being a foreigner is to contact recruitment agency. We are Spice IT Recruitment — a niche IT recruitment agency aimed at connecting companies with great tech talents from around the world. We’ve been helping German companies to recruit and relocate extremely skilled and passionate talents for 10 years by now. Your cv will never be lost in a crowd. Contact us today to discover more either you a candidate or an employer.
Although it's possible to find a job in Germany with only speaking English, knowing German will skyrocket your chances. Of course, there are plenty of international job positions that only require the English language, but these tend to be more competitive, so speaking at least some German is a huge asset.
Computer science and IT is a job in High Demand in Germany right now. Having a Masters degree helps. But along with a degree, you should also have a portfolio of your previous works!
This is positive news for anyone looking to build a life for themselves in Berlin, or another German locale. According to deutschland.de, these are the most highly demanded jobs in Germany in 2022: Software developers, architects, and programmers. Electronics engineers, electricians, and electrical fitters.
Berlin. Many young professionals are drawn to Berlin, due to its creative and open-minded vibe and a promising job market. Berlin boasts of being the start-up capital of Germany, with over 40,000 new tech companies founded each year.
The application of blockchain technology is particularly prevalent in the fintech sector. Berlin has become a fintech hub over the years, with more than 35 per cent of all businesses in the city working in the industry. Germany's capital is also at the forefront of AI, 40% of all AI start-ups are based in Berlin.
Anyone hoping to work in Germany's IT sector has a good chance of finding a job. Skilled IT workers are in high demand in Germany: companies are particularly looking for software developers, application consultants and skilled professionals in the areas of data science and cybersecurity.
According to this survey, skilled workers in the construction and skilled trades (349,275 jobs) and technical specialists (282,941 jobs) are currently the most in demand on the German labor market.
B1 German speakers have no problem understanding the main points of a conversation when clear standard German is used, especially when the topic is something familiar like school or work.
If you are looking for a job opportunity here, then the easiest jobs you can find in Germany are the ones that are in demand. ... Top job openings in Germany:
The capital city of Germany offers some of the best employment opportunities in Berlin. It is one of the economic hubs of the world and attracts a growing number of expats each year that come in search of better career options.
What's the minimum wage in Germany in 2022? As of July 2022, the gross minimum wage in Germany is €10.45 gross per hour. This minimum wage also applies to expats, international students, and overtime work (unless your contract states otherwise or you agree to take time off at a later date).
Civil Engineers: Civil engineers are also in high demand right now: structures will never stop being created, thus such specialists will always be needed. Civil engineers can also pursue a master's degree to specialise in a specific area of expertise. The average salary of a civil engineer is around 62,000 EUR.
You will need around 934 euros a month to cover your living expenses in Germany as of 2022. On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 934 euros per month (around $906 US dollars) or 11,208 euros per year (around $10,876 US dollars).
In Germany, the net monthly salary between 2,500 EUR and 3,000 EUR is good, and over 3,500 EUR is very good. The average gross wage in Germany in 2022 is 51,010 EUR or 31,386 EUR after-tax for a single person. This translates to the 2,615 EUR net monthly salary.
What is the average cost of rent in Germany? Average rent costs in Germany range from €300 to €800 per calendar month for a room in shared accommodation and from €500 to €1,346 for a one-bedroom flat. The overall average rental price is €750 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Generally, German language skills at level A1 of the CEFR are required here. However, there are numerous exceptions, which you can read up on in this section.
Germany is the highest job provider country with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. So, Germany can offer you high-profile jobs if you are qualified and possess the relevant skills and knowledge. If you seek employment in Germany then you must apply for a job when you are studying at a university.
What's the minimum wage in Germany in 2022? As of July 2022, the gross minimum wage in Germany is €10.45 gross per hour. This minimum wage also applies to expats, international students, and overtime work (unless your contract states otherwise or you agree to take time off at a later date).
According to this survey, skilled workers in the construction and skilled trades (349,275 jobs) and technical specialists (282,941 jobs) are currently the most in demand on the German labor market.
A recent survey by American research institute Gallup has revealed that 40 percent of people working in Germany have been feeling stressed recently. For the “State of the Global Workplace 2022” report, more than 105.000 employees from 146 different countries were asked about their working life.
Hi, B1 is the beginning of the Intermediate level as a Deutsch speaker. So, by this time you should be able to carry out basic level conversations and form simple sentences since you would have already completed A2. B1 takes you further deeper in verbs and complex sentence structure.
B1 German speakers have no problem understanding the main points of a conversation when clear standard German is used, especially when the topic is something familiar like school or work.
B1 is one of the central requirements for non-EU-citizens to start working in Germany directly. With B1 you also may apply for an apprenticeship in order to learn a German profession in Germany.
Civil Engineers: Civil engineers are also in high demand right now: structures will never stop being created, thus such specialists will always be needed. Civil engineers can also pursue a master's degree to specialise in a specific area of expertise. The average salary of a civil engineer is around 62,000 EUR.
There's no doubt that you can survive in Germany without knowing German. Every German usually studies English from the age of 5 and especially the younger generation watches British or American series.
In Germany, a monthly net income between 2,500 EUR and 3,500 EUR is considered to be a good salary. You can afford a decent life in a large German city with that income, including renting a 2 bedroom apartment, regularly eating out, and weekends away.
On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 934 euros per month (around $906 US dollars) or 11,208 euros per year (around $10,876 US dollars). ... Which region has the highest cost of living in Germany?
The capital city of Germany offers some of the best employment opportunities in Berlin. It is one of the economic hubs of the world and attracts a growing number of expats each year that come in search of better career options.
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