Visa for IT specialists
All information about the different visas for IT specialists in Germany.
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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 specialists have in Germany
Table of contents
1. Visa for IT specialists
2. What are IT professionals?
3. Residence options for IT professionals in Germany
4. Blue Card with IT university degree
5. Blue Card with IT professional experience
6. Visa Professional Experience IT Professionals
7. FAQ IT Visa
8. Conclusion
1. Visa options for IT specialists
Germany urgently needs IT specialists. Numerous studies show that there is a shortage of more than 100,000 IT specialists in Germany each 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 developer: Java, nodeJS, C, C++, C#, PHP, SQL or iOS or Android
Data scientists and big data experts
AI developer
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 repeatedly reformed the residency regulations for IT specialists in recent years, simplifying access to the German labor market through simplified procedures 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 , and therefore who can apply for an IT visa. According to Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 No. 1 of the Residence Act, the definition of IT specialist 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 for visa applications in the information technology sector:
Software developers (e.g. front-end, back-end 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 professionals in Germany
Germany offers various visa options for IT professionals to meet the growing demand for qualified experts in the digital economy. Here are the main routes for immigration to Germany as an IT specialist :
EU Blue Card with university degree in IT (Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 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 (2) Residence Act in conjunction with Section 6 Employment Ordinance)
Each of these IT visa options has its own advantages and disadvantages. Below, you'll find out which IT visa is most suitable for you.
4. Blue Card with IT university degree
International IT professionals have excellent employment opportunities in Germany and can gain easier access to the labor market with the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card generally requires a German or foreign university degree that is comparable to a German degree (see exceptions below). You can check whether your degree is recognized in Germany in the Anabin database .
In addition to qualifications, a concrete job offer from a German company is required. The employment period must be at least six months , and the position must be appropriate to the qualifications. Furthermore, the gross annual salary for the EU Blue Card must be at least €48,300 (as of 2025). This does not apply, however, to the IT sector : For occupations in shortage areas, which include many IT occupations, a card can be issued with a gross annual salary of as little as €43,759.80 , provided the Federal Employment Agency has approved the employment.
With the EU Blue Card, IT professionals benefit from numerous advantages, including faster access to a settlement permit , easier family reunification , and generally better employment prospects in Germany. If you have further questions about the benefits of the EU Blue Card, please refer to our overview page on the EU Blue Card in Germany .
Contact us
Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Our specialised attorneys are always by your side. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!
5. Blue Card with IT professional experience
IT professionals in Germany benefit from a special EU Blue Card regulation. While a university degree is required in most cases, IT experts can apply for an EU Blue Card even without an academic degree . This simplified procedure is intended to counteract the growing shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector and facilitate access to the German labor market for qualified professionals.
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 achieved through training, certifications, or exams.
The EU Blue Card offers numerous advantages to foreign IT specialists. It facilitates settlement in Germany, accelerates naturalization, and offers family-friendly regulations, as spouses are also permitted to enter and work with the applicant. Thanks to this regulation, highly qualified IT specialists who want to come to Germany without a university degree have the best chance of securing long-term prospects in Germany.
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 under 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, an 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 it does not require a university degree . However, it is a prerequisite that professional experience can be proven to be sufficient to successfully perform the activity. Since the amendment to the law on March 1, 2024, it is also no longer necessary for IT specialists to provide proof of German language skills.
Contact us
Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Our specialised attorneys are always by your side. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!
7. FAQ
What visa options are available for IT specialists in Germany?
Depending on their qualifications and professional experience, IT specialists can choose between three main options: EU Blue Card with an 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 a 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, a case-by-case review may be necessary.
Can I 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).
8. Conclusion
Germany offers IT professionals a modernized, multi-tiered immigration model that appeals to both academically and professionally qualified specialists. Whether with a university degree, purely professional experience, or no formal qualification at all: tailor-made visa options with attractive conditions exist for software developers, cybersecurity experts, system administrators, and AI specialists. The EU Blue Card, in particular – even without a degree – enables highly qualified IT professionals accelerated access to the labor market, settlement permits, and family reunification. Alternatively, Section 19c of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 6 of the Employment Regulations provides another strong option that does not require recognition of a degree but still offers long-term prospects. Given the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the digital economy, access for foreign IT specialists is more open than ever. Anyone who meets the formal requirements, has a concrete job offer, and can demonstrate the necessary professional experience can quickly obtain an IT visa – and thus actively shape the digital transformation in Germany.
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