Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the fifth largest in the world and is one of the most sought-after places to work if you’re a developer. There are thousands of tech jobs in Germany as it’s fast becoming the stand out home of digital and tech hubs.
Although Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf also have a strong tech presence, there’s no doubt that Berlin has the majority of opportunity in tech with their huge number of start-ups. In 2015 alone, start-up founders in the German capital netted more than €2bn from investors and the tech industry is set to produce 100,000 new jobs by 2020.
Despite sharp increases, rental costs are still much lower than in other western European capitals and it’s a vibrant, international city dubbed Europe’s ‘capital of cool’. Last year the Germany government launched the Digital Hub Initiative to promote digital innovation. Cities applied to host digital hubs and included industry specialities in their applications.
Digital Hubs – Location and Specialties:
Berlin: Fintech, IoT
Munich: Mobility
Frankfurt: Fintech
Hamburg: Logistics
Dortmund: Logistics
Cologne: InsurTech
Karlsruhe: Artificial Intelligence
Stuttgart: Future Industries
Dresden//Leipzig (Twin Hub): Smart Systems, IoT and Energy
Potsdam: MediaTech
Nuremberg/Erlangen: Digital Health
Ludwigshafen/Mannheim: Chemistry
Moving to Germany from abroad
With the skills shortage in the IT sector, there are plenty of opportunities to relocate and many companies will help with the process. If you have a university degree and some experience, securing a role in Germany can be relatively simple. Fluent German often isn’t essential although you will need to learn it once you arrive!
Anyone from outside the EU can apply for a Blue Card to work in Germany. They last for a maximum of four years but can be easily extended. Citizens from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the US can also come to Germany without a visa, however, must apply for a German residence and work permit from their local Alien’s Authority.
For more experienced professionals, you can apply for a job seeker Visa that allows you to stay in Germany and search for a job. They are usually granted to individuals with experience in a specific field that’s in demand, so Software Developers usually have no problem obtaining them and they last six months
Here at Hanover, we have a number of exciting clients across Germany – from global giants to early stage start-ups – and have helped Developers from all over the world find work and relocate.