Hesse Home to one of the largest European airports, Hesse offers an excellent transport network. The international financial centre Frankfurt has a strong influence on Hesse as a service region. Similarly, well-known international industrial companies define Hesse as a technology location at the heart of European markets. Hesse also boasts beautiful nature reserves, historical castles and palaces, as well as the Rheingau vineyards which are renowned for their excellent wines all over the world. Keyfacts for Hesse Capital Wiesbaden Important industries Aerospace engineering Automotive and supply industries Biotechnology Cultural and creative industries Financial services Mechanical and plant engineering Medical technology Tourism Population 6,420,729 Particularities In Hesse, "Ebbelwoi" stands for apple wine. The drink has been a part of Hesse's culture for centuries. Additional contacts The official portal of Hesse Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Bavaria Beautiful landscapes, friendly people, attractive economy: Bavaria is a truly fascinating state. Its economy is booming and its labour market offers plenty of opportunities for international professionals. In addition to well-known global players, many SMEs with an international focus and renowned businesses with a long-standing tradition also call Bavaria their home and are always looking for qualified staff. Keyfacts for Bavaria Capital Munich Important industries Automotive engineering Mechanical engineering Healthcare Metal industry IT Biotechnology Medical, energy and environmental technology Electrical engineering Population 13,435,062 Particularities Brass music, Dirndl & Lederhosen: The Oktoberfest in Munich connects people from all over the world. Additional contacts The official portal of Bavaria Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Berlin The capital posts record numbers of start-up businesses. This is where the greatest number of new jobs are created in Germany. People from all over the world move to Berlin to live and work here. Many companies are setting up their headquarters in the capital: The city state of Berlin offers a unique research infrastructure, highly qualified professionals and a lively and inspiring creative scene. Modern, strong on technology; and open to innovation are the catchwords that best describe Berlin. Keyfacts for Berlin Capital Berlin Important industries Health Life sciences Information, communication, media, creative industries Research and development Manufacturing trade Population 3,782,202 Particularities Berlin is an attitude towards life. People from over 190 different nations come together here. Additional contacts The official portal of Berlin Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Bremen Bremen is innovative and creative, but laid-back at the same time – as it is typical for northern Germany. Positive people as well as performance-driven business and research make Bremen an attractive location for professionals. Parks, cultural diversity, lively neighbourhoods and the city's close proximity to the sea give you many opportunities to enjoy your free time. Keyfacts for Bremen Capital Bremen Important industries Automotive engineering Healthcare Aerospace engineering Logistics and port Shipbuilding Wind power Food industry Information and communication Population 691,703 Particularities Hanseatic city and high-tech location at the same time: More than 550 companies are located in the Bremen Technology Park. Additional contacts The official portal of Bremen Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

How to get started in Germany Are you thinking about working as an IT specialist in Germany? Find answers to your questions on starting your journey to Germany down below. On this page On this page Career & job market Language requirements Job search & applications Visa & entry Career & job market What are my chances in the German job market as a skilled IT professional? Your chances in the German job market as a qualified IT professional are excellent. German companies are increasingly turning to other countries when searching for skilled IT professionals. Thousands of vacancies for IT specialists constantly remained open in recent years. Your job prospects are particularly good if you have extensive professional experience and expertise. Find some attractive areas of work in the IT sector here . What benefits does working in Germany as an IT professional offer? With a job in Germany, you enjoy many rights in your capacity as an employee: for instance, you are automatically medically insured as an employee, so there is no need to pay extra for health insurance . Your partner and children are included in the insurance. In the same way, you are covered in case of illness, as your salary will continue to be paid even if you are unable to work for a while. A note about salaries : skilled IT workers in Germany can also expect to earn above-average starting salaries . There are often other benefits on top of your salary, such as a fixed Christmas bonus, holiday pay or special bonuses

5 reasons Germany is an excellent location for your start-up plans. Here you can convince yourself of the country’s advantages. 1. Strong: a dynamic economy Significant spending power, the spirit of innovation, its location at the heart of a dense transport network in the centre of Europe and highly skilled workers – all of these are benefits offered by Germany as a business location. Science and research with a practical orientation and well-trained qualified professionals have generated an excellent environment for innovation – and as a result, Germany is one of the European leaders with 62,050 patent applications in 2025. Thanks to a per capita spending power of €31,168 in 2026, Germany ranks among the countries with the highest purchasing power in Europe – new ideas easily find a market here. Many of these are generated by what is known as the Mittelstand . The Mittelstand is formed by the scores of small and medium-sized companies which are characteristic of Germany’s economy . 2. Stable: a good home for your ideas As an entrepreneur in Germany, you can expect a stable political and economic environment for your ideas, which are protected by the law. Inventions, company logos and concepts – in Germany, your intellectual property is protected. The Copyright Act, Patent Law and Trademark Law are all designed to safeguard what is probably your most valuable asset. Economic policies also focus on protecting excellent ideas: Competition Law, for example, ensures that your

5 reasons to work in IT in Germany Are you using your skills where they can make an impact? Find out why the German ICT sector is a great place to work and advance your career. On this page On this page Germany as a lucrative location for innovations Thrive in a diverse and balanced work environment Many open job vacancies and high salaries in German IT Make an impact and participate in a modern industry Political support drives Industry 4.0 forward Germany as a lucrative location for innovations Germany stands out as a prime destination for innovation-driven businesses, thanks to its strong industrial base, world-class research institutions, and robust support for emerging technologies like AI and green tech. Success will follow: Germany is also one of the leading countries when it comes to patents. The European Patent Office (EPO) recorded more than 200,000 patent applications in 2025. Germany maintained its leading position in Europe with a total of 24,476 applications. This places Germany second worldwide, behind the United States. Thrive in a diverse and balanced work environment Germany offers a truly international working environment, especially in the IT sector, where global tech companies and startups collaborate across borders. With professionals from all over the world contributing to innovation, workplaces are shaped by diversity and inclusion. At the same time, Germany is known for its strong commitment to work-life balance: generous paid leave, flexible working

Finding a job Are you looking for a job in Germany? Here, you will find information on the different options of finding a job in Germany. Looking for a job Applying for a job Placement agencies

Professional requirements To be able set up a business in a certain sector in Germany, you must provide several documents of proof, for example specific qualifications. Learn here what might be important. General requirements There are a small number of general legal requirements for setting up a business in Germany. For example, you must be of age, i. e. you have to be at least 18 years old. Another requirement is that you must have never been banned from practising the profession you intend to set up a business in. Such a prohibition can be imposed by courts after serious criminal offences. Before setting up your own business, you must register your planned activity. You can do this either at the trade office (Gewerbeamt) or the tax office (Finanzamt) – depending on whether you intend to work on a self-employed basis (gewerblich) or as a freelancer (freiberuflich) . For some professions, you must prove that you do not have a criminal record. For that purpose, EU citizens residing in Germany can usually apply for a “European Certificate of Good Conduct” at their local Residents' Registration Office . If you are from a non-EU country, you must obtain comparable proof from the competent authorities in your home country. Additional information on the formalities you have to go through as you set up your business is available here . Guide: “Starting a business in Germany made easy” This guide provides information for skilled professionals and prospective entrepreneurs from abroad

Visa for freelance business Would you like to be self-employed in a non-regulated profession? To do so, you will need a residence permit and you will have to meet certain requirements. In Germany, there are two ways of setting up your own business: you can either work as a freelancer ( Freiberufler ) or set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur ( Gewerbe ). Find out more about the best approach for you in the article on types of new businesses . If you would like to embark on a freelance career as a Freiberufler , you will have to apply for a “residence permit for the purpose of freelance employment” ( Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer freiberuflichen Tätigkeit ) at the competent authority. You will be granted a permit if you can prove that you will be able to finance your undertaking, make a living for yourself, and have the permission to practise in your profession, where needed. If you are older than 45 years of age, you also require adequate pension provisions. Special rules apply to self-employed artists. You can find out more about this in the " Special regulations for artists " section. Advisory services will help you assess whether you fulfil these requirements. Term of your residence permit If your business idea is successful and you are able to make a living for yourself and your family as a result of your business, you can have your residence permit extended, which is initially limited to a maximum of three years. After five years, you can obtain a