{"id":1920,"date":"2021-03-11T20:31:33","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T20:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/?p=1920"},"modified":"2026-04-01T15:48:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:48:06","slug":"is-it-worth-moving-to-germany-as-a-software-engineer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/working-abroad\/is-it-worth-moving-to-germany-as-a-software-engineer\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Worth Moving to Germany as a Software Engineer?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Germany has always been a top pick for international expats. And this is due to its large economy and the many international companies that have penetrated into the English-speaking markets (BMW, Mercedes, Siemens, SAP, etc.). The tech scene in Germany has also followed a similar blueprint over the last decade \u2013 making room for international talent in a way that places like France or Italy just haven’t quite managed.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is what makes Germany<\/a> a great place for software engineers. There are numerous job opportunities<\/a> at internationally recognised companies \u2014 jobs that don\u2019t require German-speaking skills. That means great pay, a great career trajectory, and a sense of security knowing that you can switch jobs with relative ease. So let\u2019s take a closer look at the work-life situation in Germany, to see why techies are moving there on mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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“Is Germany Good for Software Engineers?”<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yes, Germany is considered one of the top destinations for software engineers in Europe. According to <\/span>Statista<\/span><\/a>, Europe\u2019s biggest community of expats and professional developers are in Germany. While the country might not be the <\/span>top-rated destination<\/span><\/a> for expats, it\u2019s certainly where they all live and work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>greatest risk<\/span><\/a> to companies in Germany is a growing skills shortage (most notably in STEM). So with companies struggling to fill IT positions locally, they have turned to the international market to address that problem. And the government has supported that change by introducing fast-tracked visas and easier pathways for internationals. This makes moving to Germany as a software engineer so much easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of career and job opportunities \u2013 Germany is unmatched. In Berlin<\/a>, you\u2019ve got around thirty tech unicorns (<\/span>HelloFresh<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Personio<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Contentful<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Trade Republic<\/span><\/a>) that offer great pay and opportunities to work with some of the most skilled workers in the scene. If you want to work with a smaller team or take on a tougher challenge, there are 100s of startups to choose from. These smaller firms tend to offer entry-level positions and the opportunity to speed run your career as they scale up. And since the tech scene is directed towards the international market, jobs and offices are predominantly English-speaking.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Moving to Germany from the USA<\/b><\/h2>\n

As a US citizen (or even someone who\u2019s worked there for several years), you\u2019re going to enjoy preferential treatment. When tech companies in Germany<\/a> look to hire internationally, professionals from the United States are highly regarded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

US citizens can stay in Germany for up to 90 days, so you don\u2019t have to apply for a long-stay visa before you arrive (or even to travel there). It\u2019s obviously best to secure a job before you head over, but, that\u2019s not a requirement. Many US citizens travel to Germany and then apply for a visa within the first 90 days. If you want to scope it out or find a job in person, this is a way to do it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While there are a number of visa options available for those moving to Germany<\/a> from the USA, these three are the most applicable for tech workers:<\/span><\/p>\n