Working as a software developer in Germany
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)
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
Continue with the Germany country profile, the visa route overview, or compare German cities by cost and salary.