Coming to Berlin as an IT specialist
IT has more special rules in German residence law than any other field. There are routes for IT jobs without a university degree and without formal recognition. The usual route is still: job offer first, then the EU Blue Card. IT jobs are not regulated, so you do not need a licence to practise.
For the Blue Card, IT jobs count by law as shortage occupations (§ 18g (1) sentence 2 no. 1). We found no reliable figures on the Berlin IT job market alone, so we give none.
Residence permits that fit
| Permit | Key conditions | Salary 2026 | BA approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card (§ 18g (1)) | University degree (German, recognised or comparable), job contract of at least 6 months | €50,700 gross a year; IT professionals (ISCO 25) and ICT managers (ISCO 133) count as shortage occupations: €45,934.20 | No at €50,700; yes at the lower threshold |
| Blue Card without a degree (§ 18g (2)) | Only ISCO 133 or 25; at least 3 years of experience in the last 7 years at degree level | €45,934.20 | Yes, always |
| Skilled worker with a degree (§ 18b) | Recognised or comparable degree, qualified job | No fixed threshold under age 45; local standard terms | Usually yes (§ 39) |
| Experience instead of recognition (§ 19c (2) + § 6 BeschV) | At least 2 years of experience in the last 5 years; in IT jobs no proof of a qualification needed | 45% of the contribution ceiling, 2026: €45,630 (Make it in Germany); does not apply if the employer is bound by a collective agreement | Yes |
| Opportunity Card (§ 20a) | Job search up to 1 year; skilled worker or at least 6 points, then German A1 or English B2 and a degree recognised in your home country | Secured living costs; side job up to 20 hours a week | No |
- The thresholds €50,700 and €45,934.20 are 50% and 45.3% of the 2026 pension contribution ceiling (€101,400). They change every 1 January.
- €45,630 for § 6 BeschV: amount according to Make it in Germany. Federal Gazette notice not checked by us.
- Age 45 or over (first permit under § 18b or approval under § 6 BeschV): salary at least 55% of the ceiling (2026 calculated €55,770) or adequate pension provision (§ 18 (2) no. 5, § 1 (2) BeschV). This rule does not apply to the Blue Card.
- Details (German): Blue Card in Berlin (German), Opportunity Card (German), Overview of permits (German).
Freelancing in IT
- Self-employment needs its own permit under § 21 AufenthG. Liberal professions use (5) (easier); trades and businesses use (1) (economic interest, financing).
- Whether software development or IT consulting counts as a liberal profession depends on the case; the tax office decides for tax purposes; check before relying on it.
- If you already hold a Blue Card or a § 18b permit, the easier route in § 21 (2a) applies (link to your qualification required).
- More: Creatives and freelancers, Self-employment in Berlin (German).
Recognition and degrees
- IT jobs are not regulated. You do not need professional recognition to work.
- For the Blue Card and § 18b your university degree must still be recognised or comparable. Check your university and degree in anabin (university rated "H+", matching degree). Not listed: statement of comparability from the ZAB (Bonn).
- IT vocational training (not a degree): equivalence for industry and trade through IHK FOSA; advice at IHK Berlin. See Recognition in Berlin (German).
- For § 18g (2) and § 6 BeschV, work experience replaces the degree. References should clearly show tasks, period and level.
German
For the Blue Card, § 18b and § 6 BeschV the law requires no German level. Many Berlin tech companies work in English. For the Opportunity Card via points: German A1 or English B2. You will need German for the later settlement permit (see below). Courses: Language and integration (German).
Steps
- Check your degree in anabin or document your work experience.
- Get a job offer with a matching salary.
- Employment visa at the German mission abroad. Optional: your employer starts the fast-track procedure (§ 81a) with the Business Immigration Service Berlin (fee €411).
- Enter, register your address, apply online to the State Office for Immigration (LEA). See First steps (German).
Staying and family
- Blue Card: settlement permit after 27 months (with German A1) or 21 months (with German B1) of employment with pension contributions (§ 18c (2)).
- § 18b: after 3 years with 36 months of pension contributions and German B1 (§ 18c (1)). § 18c does not mention time under § 19c (2); the general rules then apply (§ 9).
- Family: Family reunification (German).
Watch out
- The threshold is gross per year. Non-guaranteed bonuses often do not count. How the LEA treats variable pay was not checked; check before relying on it.
- Changing jobs in the first 12 months on a Blue Card: the LEA can suspend the change for 30 days (§ 18g (4)). Report the change in advance.
- "Freelance visa" offers from agencies: working long-term for a single client can be false self-employment. Do not pay for visa promises.
- Minimum wage 2026: €13.90 an hour (MiLoV5). Free advice on labour law: Faire Integration, in Berlin also BEMA.
Sources
- § 18g, § 18b, § 18c, § 19c, § 20a, § 21 AufenthG
- § 6 BeschV, § 1 BeschV, MiLoV5
- Business Immigration Service Berlin, anabin, ZAB
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.