Industry
Relocating international talent for IT & software companies
Germany has over 150,000 unfilled IT positions. Whether you're a Berlin startup or an enterprise in Munich, relokate handles the visa, registration, and relocation process for your international tech hires — from software engineers to data scientists.
150,000+
Unfilled IT positions in Germany
60%+
Tech roles operate in English
No degree
IT pros with 3+ years qualify for Blue Card
4–8 weeks
Typical Blue Card processing
Common IT roles we relocate
Visa type, salary range, and typical processing time for each.
| Role | Visa route | Salary range | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineers | EU Blue Card | €55,000–€95,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Data Scientists / ML Engineers | EU Blue Card | €60,000–€100,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| DevOps & Cloud Engineers | EU Blue Card | €55,000–€90,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Cybersecurity Specialists | EU Blue Card | €60,000–€110,000 | 4–8 weeks |
| Product Managers | EU Blue Card / §18b | €50,000–€85,000 | 4–10 weeks |
| IT Specialists (no degree, 3+ yrs) | EU Blue Card | €45,934+ | 4–8 weeks |
Case Study
How Flink relocates international tech talent
Flink's rapid growth means hiring across multiple visa scenarios — including student visa to Blue Card conversions, job seeker to skilled worker transitions, and EU mobility transfers. relokate provides flexible, ad-hoc support with 24-hour case activation and 4–12 week timelines.
Read the Flink case study →Top cities for IT hiring in Germany
Berlin
Largest startup ecosystem in Europe. 60%+ tech roles in English.
Munich
Enterprise tech, SAP ecosystem, deep tech & mobility.
Hamburg
Growing e-commerce & media tech hub.
Frankfurt
Fintech capital. Banking & financial technology.
Cologne
Media, adtech, and insurance technology.
Stuttgart
Automotive software & embedded systems.
Related resources
Frequently asked questions — IT relocation to Germany
Can we hire an IT specialist without a university degree?
Yes. Since the 2024 Blue Card reform, IT professionals with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience can qualify for an EU Blue Card without a formal degree. The salary must meet the shortage occupation threshold (€45,934 in 2026). relokate handles the documentation to prove professional experience in lieu of a degree.
How long does it take to relocate a software engineer to Germany?
With the EU Blue Card route: 4–8 weeks from application to approval. With the fast-track procedure (Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren, §81a): approximately 4 weeks for candidates still abroad. In Berlin, relokate’s BIS partnership provides even faster dedicated appointments. Total timeline from job offer to first day: typically 8–12 weeks.
Which German cities are best for hiring international IT talent?
Berlin is the #1 hub — largest startup ecosystem in continental Europe, 60%+ of tech roles operate in English. Munich follows with enterprise tech and SAP ecosystem. Hamburg, Frankfurt (fintech), Cologne, and Stuttgart also have strong tech scenes. relokate supports all 14 major German cities.
What salary do we need to offer for a Blue Card?
For IT roles classified as shortage occupations in 2026: €45,934 minimum. For general roles: €50,700. Most mid-level tech roles in Germany exceed these thresholds. Use relokate’s free Blue Card salary calculator to check.
Hiring international tech talent to Germany?
relokate handles the visa, registration, and relocation — so your new developer can start coding, not waiting.
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