Visa for IT-Specialists
All information about the different visas for IT specialists in Germany.
Here you learn ...
what special types of visas are available for IT professionals in Germany
what the Blue Card is for IT specialists with professional experience
how to get a visa as an IT specialist without a recognized degree
what other opportunities IT professionals have in Germany
Author
Lawyer
Reading Time
8 Min.
Release Date
03.03.2025
Table of Content
1. Visa for IT specialists
2. What are IT professionals?
3. Residence options for IT workers in Germany
4. Blue Card with IT degree
5. Blue Card with IT professional experience
6. Visa Professional Experience IT Professionals
7. FAQ IT visa
1. Visa options for IT specialists
IT specialists are urgently needed in Germany. Numerous studies show that there is a shortage of more than 100,000 IT specialists in Germany every year. The following IT jobs are particularly in demand in Germany:
IT security professionals: Pen testers and IT security analysts or IT security officers
Software developers: Java, nodeJS, C, C++, C#, PHP, SQL or iOS or Android
Data Scientists and Big Data Experts
AI developers
admins and IT application managers
The shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector poses major challenges for German companies. To counteract this, the legislature has reformed the right of residence for IT specialists several times in recent years and simplified access to the German labor market through relief and privileges . This article provides an overview of the most important immigration options for IT specialists .
2. What are IT professionals?
A visa for IT specialists is only considered if you are actually an IT specialist. The law itself defines which professional groups are IT specialists , i.e. who can apply for an IT visa. According to Section 18g Paragraph 1 Clause 2 No. 1 of the Residence Act, the definition of IT specialists is based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) . According to ISCO-08 (classification group 25), the following professional groups are IT specialists who can benefit from the special regulations when applying for a visa in the information technology sector:
Software developers (e.g. frontend, backend and full-stack development)
database and network specialists
IT security analysts and cybersecurity experts
system administrators and cloud architects
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning specialists
IT consultant for digital transformation and system integration
These professions are in demand worldwide, especially in the context of skilled immigration . Companies are looking for qualified IT experts to meet the increasing demands of the digital economy.
3. Visa options for IT workers in Germany
Germany offers various visa options for IT professionals to meet the increasing demand for skilled experts in the digital economy. Here are the main routes to immigrate to Germany as an IT specialist :
EU Blue Card with university degree in IT (Section 18g, Paragraph 1, Sentence 1 of the Residence Act)
EU Blue Card with professional experience in the IT sector (Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 of the Residence Act)
Visa for IT specialists without a formal qualification (Section 19c Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 6 of the Employment Ordinance)
Each of these IT visa options has its own advantages and disadvantages. Read on to find out which IT visa is most suitable for you.
CONTACT US
Are you looking for a lawyer in German immigration and foreigners law? We are happy to support you in residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities and administrative courts.
Contact us to book a video call consultation with a German immigration lawyer!
VISAGUARD.Berlin Legal Services
4. Blue Card with IT university degree
International IT specialists have excellent employment opportunities in Germany and can gain easier access to the labor market with the EU Blue Card. In order to obtain the EU Blue Card, you generally need a German or foreign university degree that is comparable to a German degree (but see exceptions below). You can check whether your degree is recognized in Germany in the so-called “ Anabin database ”.
In addition to the qualifications, a specific job offer in a German company is required. The period of employment must be at least six months and the job must be appropriate to the respective qualifications. In principle, the gross annual salary for the EU Blue Card must also be at least 48,300 euros (as of 2025). However, this does not apply to the IT sector : for jobs in shortage areas, which include many IT jobs, it is possible to issue the card from a gross annual salary of 43,759.80 euros , provided that the Federal Employment Agency has approved the employment.
With the EU Blue Card, IT specialists benefit from numerous advantages, including faster access to settlement permits , easier family reunification and generally better employment prospects in Germany. If you have any further questions about the advantages of the EU Blue Card, please refer to our overview page on the EU Blue Card in Germany .
5. Blue Card with IT professional experience
Specialists in the IT sector benefit from a special regulation for the EU Blue Card in Germany. While a university degree is required in most cases, IT experts can apply for an EU Blue Card even without an academic degree . This simplification is intended to counteract the growing shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector and make it easier for qualified specialists to access the German labor market.
According to Section 18g Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), IT specialists must meet the following conditions:
Specific job offer : A binding commitment for an IT position in Germany is required.
Minimum salary : The gross annual salary must be at least 43,759.80 euros (as of 2025)
Professional experience : Applicants must have at least three years of relevant professional experience within the last seven years.
Theoretical knowledge : Although a university degree is not required, IT professionals must demonstrate comparable qualifications. This can be done, for example, through training, certifications or exams.
The EU Blue Card offers foreign IT specialists numerous advantages . It enables simplified settlement in Germany, accelerated naturalization and a family-friendly regulation, as spouses are also allowed to enter and work. Anyone who wants to come to Germany as a highly qualified IT specialist without a university degree has the best chance of obtaining a long-term perspective in Germany thanks to this regulation.
6. Visa Professional Experience IT Professionals
However, IT specialists in Germany have attractive opportunities to obtain a residence permit for employment even without the EU Blue Card. One of the most important options is the visa for IT specialists according to Section 19c Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 6 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance ( visa for IT specialists with professional experience ). This regulation offers experienced IT experts without a university degree in particular the opportunity to work legally in Germany.
Requirements for the IT visa (no Blue Card)
To obtain a visa as an IT specialist based on professional experience, the following minimum requirements must be met:
Specific job offer in an IT profession in Germany
At least two years of professional experience in the IT sector within the last five years
gross annual salary of at least 43,470 euros (as of 2025)
This regulation offers an attractive alternative to the EU Blue Card, as no university degree is required. However, the prerequisite is that the professional experience is proven to be sufficient to carry out the activity successfully. Since the change in the law on March 1, 2024, it is no longer necessary for you as an IT specialist to prove your German language skills.
CONTACT US
Are you looking for a lawyer in German immigration and foreigners law? We are happy to support you in residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities and administrative courts.
Contact us to book a video call consultation with a German immigration lawyer!
VISAGUARD.Berlin Legal Services
7. FAQ IT-Visa Germany
What visa options are there for IT specialists in Germany?
Depending on their qualifications and professional experience, IT specialists can choose between three main options: EU Blue Card with IT university degree (Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 of the Residence Act), EU Blue Card with IT professional experience (Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 of the Residence Act), visa for IT specialists without university degree (Section 19c Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 6 of the Employment Ordinance).
Can I get the EU Blue Card without a university degree?
Yes, IT specialists can obtain an EU Blue Card even without a university degree if the following conditions are met:
At least three years of professional experience in the last seven years
A concrete job offer in Germany
Minimum salary of 43,759.80 euros gross per year (as of 2025)
Proof of IT knowledge through certificates or training
What are the advantages of the EU Blue Card for IT professionals?
The EU Blue Card has the following advantages:
Faster settlement permit (after 21 or 27 months)
Simplified family reunification without proof of German language skills
Better employment prospects and flexible employer changes
How can I check whether my university degree is recognized?
You can use the Anabin database to check whether your degree is equivalent to a German university degree. If your degree is not listed, an individual assessment may be necessary.
Can I also work independently as an IT specialist?
Yes, IT specialists can also apply for the entrepreneur visa for self-employed persons (Section 21 of the Residence Act).
