Moving to Germany as a software developer
The indicative software developer salary band meets the 2026 EU Blue Card threshold.
Mean gross earnings of the "Professionals" ISCO-08 major group — 4,646 €/month (SES 2022, 10-49), about 55,752 €/year — are at or above the 45,934 €/year threshold for shortage occupations. An individual offer still has to clear the number itself.
- Blue Card threshold 2026
- 45,934 €/year (shortage rate)
- Indicative salary band
- 4,646 €/month (ISCO major-group mean, SES 2022)
- Regulated profession
- See the recognition portal
How the threshold applies
Software developers appear on Germany's 2026 shortage-occupation list (software-and-applications-developers-and-analysts-not-elsewhere-classified), so the reduced threshold of 45,934 €/year applies. Both thresholds are statutory gross annual salary and change every January; the number on this page is the value.
Recognition and next steps
Check recognition requirements on the official portal.
Continue with the Germany country profile, the visa route overview, or compare German cities by cost and salary.