Yes, you can get a tech job in Germany without speaking German. Many engineering teams in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Vienna work in English. The job search is different, though. You need to filter harder, and you need to plan your visa early if you are not an EU citizen.
This guide is a step-by-step plan. It covers Germany in detail and Austria where the rules differ.
Step 1: Decide what “without German” means for you
There are two separate questions:
- Can you do the job in English? For many software, data, DevOps and machine learning roles, yes.
- Can you live your daily life in English? Partly. Registration offices, landlords, tax forms and doctors often work in German. You will need help, a translation app or some basic German for these.
Most people start in English and learn German over time. You don’t need German to get hired in an English-speaking team. It does help with permanent residence, as explained below.
Step 2: Find jobs where German is really not required
Many job ads are written in English but still ask for German. Read to the end of every ad and search it for “German” or “Deutsch”. Common phrases mean different things:
| Phrase in the ad | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| “No German required” / “Our working language is English” | English-only team. Apply. |
| “German is a plus” / “nice to have” | Not required. Apply. |
| “Good German skills” / “German B2” | Required. Usually a filter. |
| “Fluent German” / “German native level” | Required. Skip unless you have it. |
To save time, start with jobs that have already been checked:
- The English-speaking jobs page lists only jobs where German is not required, or only preferred.
- The companies that hire English speakers guide lists employers where English is the working language.
- City pages: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Vienna.
- Technology pages, for example Python jobs or Java jobs.
Step 3: Check where you can apply from
Not every English-speaking job is open to people abroad. Some employers can only hire people who already have the right to work in the EU.
- If you live outside the EU, start with jobs you can apply for from abroad and visa sponsorship jobs.
- If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you don’t need a work permit in Germany or Austria. Every English-speaking job is open to you.
- If you want to work remotely, check each remote job carefully. Many “remote” roles still require you to live in Germany or Austria.
Step 4: Pick the right visa route
If you need a work permit, the route usually depends on your degree, your experience and your salary. Our EU Blue Card guide explains each step. The short version for Germany in 2026:
- EU Blue Card, standard: a recognised degree and a salary of at least €50,700 a year (Federal Employment Agency).
- EU Blue Card, shortage occupations and recent graduates: at least €45,934.20 a year, with approval from the Federal Employment Agency. ICT professionals (ISCO-08 group 25), which covers most software engineering roles, are on the shortage list in § 18g of the Residence Act.
- EU Blue Card for IT specialists without a degree: at least three years of relevant IT experience gained in the last seven years, at a level comparable to a degree, and the same €45,934.20 threshold (§ 18g(2) Residence Act).
None of these routes needs German. The Blue Card also helps your family: spouses of Blue Card holders get a residence title without needing German and may work immediately (BAMF).
Looking for work from inside Germany: the Opportunity Card
If you want to be in Germany while you search, the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a job-seeker residence permit. According to the Federal Employment Agency:
- It is issued for up to one year. It can then be extended as a follow-up card for up to two more years.
- You may work part-time, up to 20 hours a week on average, and do trial work of up to two weeks per job.
- Skilled workers with a recognised qualification can get it without further conditions. Others need at least six points in a points system and either basic German (A1) or English at level B2.
- You must show you can support yourself. In 2026 this is usually €1,091 a month.
Apply at the German embassy or consulate in your country. Check its website for the exact document list.
Austria
Austria has its own EU Blue Card and the points-based Red-White-Red Card. Both are covered in the EU Blue Card guide. German is not required. In the points system, German earns points, but so does English: for “other key workers”, English at level B1 gives 10 points and German at level B1 gives 15 (migration.gv.at).
If you are very highly qualified (at least 70 points), you can apply for a six-month job-seeker visa and look for work in Austria without a job offer (migration.gv.at).
Step 5: Get your degree checked early
If your degree is from outside the EU, the immigration authorities need to see that it is recognised or comparable to a German degree. Many degrees are already listed in the anabin database. If yours is not, you can ask the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) for a Statement of Comparability. The ZAB charges €200 for the first statement. Start this early: it can take longer than the job search.
Step 6: Prepare your applications
- CV in English. Put your tech stack, the size of the systems you worked on and your results near the top.
- Say that you need a visa, and which route you qualify for. For example: “I qualify for the EU Blue Card (ICT professional, recognised degree).” This makes it easier for a recruiter who is not sure.
- Mention your salary expectation carefully. If you need a Blue Card, your salary must meet the threshold. Our salary guide shows what employers post.
- Be ready for remote interviews. Most first rounds happen on video.
Step 7: Plan your German for later
You don’t need German to get the job. It still helps in daily life, and it can speed up permanent residence:
- EU Blue Card holders in Germany can get a settlement permit (permanent residence) after 27 months with basic German, or after 21 months with German at level B1 (BAMF).
- The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) runs subsidised integration courses with German lessons. Check eligibility and the current fee on the BAMF integration course page.
- Ask employers whether they pay for German lessons. It is a fair question in an interview.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to find an English-speaking developer job in Germany?
It takes more filtering than a usual job search. Many ads are written in English but still ask for German, so read to the end and search for “German” or “Deutsch”. “German is a plus” means you can apply, while “German B2” or “fluent German” usually means it is required. Start with jobs that have already been checked.
Which visa can I get as a software engineer without speaking German?
In Germany, the EU Blue Card is the usual route, and none of its routes needs German. In 2026, ICT professionals qualify from €45,934.20 a year with Federal Employment Agency approval, or from €50,700 for the standard card. IT specialists without a degree can qualify with three years of relevant experience gained in the last seven years.
Can I move to Germany first and look for a job there?
Yes, with the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), a job-seeker residence permit issued for up to one year. You may work part-time, up to 20 hours a week on average. Skilled workers with a recognised qualification get it without further conditions; others need six points plus basic German (A1) or English at B2, and proof of funds.
Do I need German for daily life in Germany?
Not for the job, but daily life is partly in German. Registration offices, landlords, tax forms and doctors often work in German, so you will need help, a translation app or some basic German. Most people start in English and learn German over time, and German also shortens the path to permanent residence.
Does learning German help me get permanent residence?
Yes. EU Blue Card holders in Germany can get a settlement permit after 27 months with basic German, or after 21 months with German at level B1. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) runs subsidised integration courses with German lessons; check eligibility and the fee on its page. Also ask employers whether they pay for lessons.
Can I get a tech job in Austria without speaking German?
Yes. Austria’s EU Blue Card and Red-White-Red Card don’t require German. In the points system, English counts too: for other key workers, English at level B1 gives 10 points and German at level B1 gives 15. Very highly qualified people with at least 70 points can apply for a six-month job-seeker visa without a job offer.
Next steps
- Browse English-speaking jobs. No German required.
- Read the relocation checklist for your first weeks.
- Check the cost of living in Berlin and the tax basics before you compare offers.