Germany is facing one of the most severe IT skills shortages in Europe. In 2023, there were around 149,000 unfilled IT jobs—12,000 more than in 2022 (E3 Magazine, 2023).
These vacancies affect nearly every sector, from banking and healthcare to automotive and manufacturing.
For startups and SMEs, this shortage doesn’t just mean hiring delays—it often means stalled product launches, slower customer service, and postponed digital projects.
The reasons are structural. Germany’s workforce is shrinking due to demographics: more professionals are retiring than entering the labor market.
At the same time, demand for IT expertise is rising sharply as businesses digitize operations and integrate technologies like AI, cloud, and ERP.
The education system is producing highly skilled graduates, but not enough to keep pace with demand (Fraunhofer IGD, 2022). As a result, even well-funded companies are struggling to secure the talent they need.
Why relocation is a solution for Germany’s IT shortage
Relocating IT professionals offers companies a practical way to fill critical gaps faster and more effectively.
Instead of competing for the same small local talent pool, relocation allows startups and SMEs to access a global workforce that brings both expertise and diversity.
Skills-based hiring
Relocation helps you hire for skills, not just location. This means you can match candidates to the exact technical stack your projects require—whether it’s cybersecurity, AI development, or ERP implementation.
- Access to niche roles
Many of the hardest-to-fill positions in Germany, like cloud engineers or data scientists, are more available abroad (LHH, 2022).
- Project alignment
Instead of adjusting projects to available talent, relocation allows you to find candidates who fit your exact technical stack and timeline.
- Innovation boost
International professionals add cultural perspectives that strengthen problem-solving and creativity in tech teams.
With relocation, you hire based on what your business truly needs, not just who happens to be nearby.
Reduce cost
Unfilled IT roles are expensive. In Germany, the average cost per vacancy is €29,000, and in larger companies, it can exceed €73,000 (Alpha Coders, 2022). These costs include lost productivity, delayed projects, and recruitment expenses.
Relocation reduces costs in three ways:
- Shorter vacancy times
Filling roles faster means less lost productivity.
- Balanced salary expectations
Relocated talent helps SMEs avoid the inflated wages caused by over-competition for local talent.
- Project continuity
With the right professionals onboard sooner, businesses avoid costly delays in digital transformation, ERP rollouts, or AI projects.
For startups and SMEs with limited budgets, relocation is not just a talent strategy—it’s a cost-control measure.
Problems with relocation
Relocating talent isn’t without challenges. Employers must address practical and cultural barriers to make it successful.
Visa process
Germany offers attractive visa pathways, such as the EU Blue Card, for highly skilled IT professionals. However, the paperwork can be overwhelming: qualifications must be recognized, salary thresholds met, and communication managed with both embassies and local immigration offices. Without support, startups may face months of delays or rejected applications.
Cultural differences
Culture can be a hidden challenge in international hiring. Even the most technically skilled professional may struggle without support in adapting to a new workplace environment.
- Workplace expectations: German companies often value direct communication, punctuality, and structured processes. In contrast, candidates from other cultures may be used to different styles of collaboration or hierarchy.
- Language barriers: While many IT professionals speak English, daily life in Germany still requires German basics—for housing, banking, and healthcare.
- Team integration: Misunderstandings can arise if colleagues are not prepared to work in culturally diverse teams, which can affect collaboration.
Integration issues
Relocation doesn’t end at arrival. Employees need help with housing, Anmeldung registration, insurance, banking, and onboarding into local work culture.
For families, the challenges extend further into childcare, schooling, and spousal employment. Without structured support, companies risk losing employees just months after arrival due to frustration or stress.
Solutions for relocation problems
With the right support, relocation becomes a smooth and positive experience for both employers and employees. DastN’s IT Resources Relocation service is designed specifically for startups and SMEs in Germany:
- Talent Sourcing & Qualification: International headhunting, skill and cultural assessments, and recognition of qualifications (Anerkennung).
- Visa Preparation & Coordination: Full support with Blue Card and visa documentation, including embassy and immigration office communications.
- Relocation & Integration: Housing coordination, registration, insurance, banking, and onboarding. We also provide cultural integration consulting to ensure smoother adaptation.
By covering both administrative and human aspects, DastN ensures that IT professionals don’t just arrive in Germany—they integrate successfully and contribute long-term.
If your startup or SME is struggling to fill critical IT roles in Germany, relocation could be the solution. With DastN’s IT Resources Relocation service, you can secure the right talent, streamline the process, and keep your projects on track.
Learn more about our relocation service here
Sources
- E3 Magazine (2023) – Record shortage of skilled workers in Germany: 149,000 IT jobs are unfilled.
- LHH (2022) – IT skills shortage in Germany: Causes and impacts.
- Alpha Coders (2022) – The cost of an unfilled IT position in Germany.
- Fraunhofer IGD (2022) – Skilled labor shortage in Germany.
