Germany is often marketed as a dream destination for software engineers: strong economy, high demand for developers, good salaries, excellent work-life balance, and a central role in the European tech ecosystem. Many expats arrive with the expectation that Germany will feel like a slightly more bureaucratic version of Silicon Valley — with better public transport.
The reality is more nuanced.
This article breaks down what expat software developers expect when they move to Germany — and what they actually encounter once they start working. It covers hiring, salaries, daily work culture, career growth, language realities, and the specific German phrases you’ll hear in software teams, complete with phonetic pronunciation for English speakers.
1) Expectation: Germany is desperate for developers
Reality: Germany needs experienced developers — but hiring is conservative.
You will often hear: “Germany has a huge developer shortage.” That statement is technically true, but misleading. German companies are not desperate in the way startups in some other markets are. Hiring decisions are slow, cautious, and risk-averse.
What companies really want:
- Several years of proven experience
- Clear specialization (backend, frontend, DevOps, data)
- Stability over experimentation
- Good communication and documentation habits
What surprises expats is how often companies say no — even when there is demand.
You will hear sentences like:
- Wir suchen jemanden mit mehr Erfahrung.
(veer ZOO-khen YAY-man-den mit mayr air-FAH-roong) - Das Profil passt noch nicht ganz.
(das pro-FEEL past nokh nikht gants) - Wir müssen intern abstimmen.
(veer MÜS-sen in-TERN AP-shtim-men)
2) Expectation: English is enough
Reality: English works — until it doesn’t.
Many software teams advertise English as the working language. In practice, English is used for code, documentation, and formal meetings. German appears everywhere else.
Typical moments when German suddenly matters:
- Side conversations in meetings
- Clarifying requirements
- Status updates to management
- Internal emails and Slack threads
- HR and administrative processes
You’ll frequently hear phrases like:
- Nur kurz auf Deutsch …
(noor koorts owf doytsh) - Das klären wir später.
(das KLAIR-en veer SHPAY-ter) - Das ist intern einfacher.
(das ist in-TERN EYE-fan-kher)
Expats who learn “survival German” for work progress faster than those who rely on English alone.
3) Expectation: Salaries are very high
Reality: Salaries are solid, but rarely spectacular.
Germany pays software developers well by European standards, but not exceptionally well compared to the US, Switzerland, or some remote-first companies.
Typical gross annual salary ranges:
- Junior developer: €50,000–€60,000
- Mid-level developer: €60,000–€75,000
- Senior developer: €75,000–€95,000
- Staff/Lead roles: €90,000–€110,000
What often shocks expats is the net salary.
You’ll hear explanations like:
- Das ist brutto, nicht netto.
(das ist BROOT-toh, nikht NET-toh) - Steuern sind hier hoch.
(SHTOY-ern zint heer hohkh) - Dafür haben wir soziale Sicherheit.
(dah-FYOOR HAH-ben veer zo-TSYAH-leh ZIKH-er-hite)
4) Expectation: Flat hierarchies
Reality: Hierarchies are subtle, but real.
German companies like to describe themselves as flat. In practice, decision-making power is clearly defined — just not loudly advertised.
Common signals of hierarchy:
- Final decisions are made outside the meeting
- Titles matter more than expats expect
- Senior engineers carry more weight than vocal juniors
You’ll hear phrases such as:
- Das müssen wir mit dem Lead klären.
(das MÜS-sen veer mit daym leed KLAIR-en) - Die Entscheidung kommt von oben.
(dee ent-SHYE-doong komt fon OH-ben)
5) Expectation: Fast-paced startup culture
Reality: Stability beats speed.
Even startups in Germany often behave like mature companies. Processes, documentation, and risk management are prioritized over speed.
Typical German engineering values:
- Thorough planning
- Clear documentation
- Testing before deployment
- Avoiding production risk
You’ll often hear:
- Das ist noch nicht sauber.
(das ist nokh nikht ZOW-ber) - Wir sollten das erst testen.
(veer ZOLL-ten das airst TES-ten) - Lieber stabil als schnell.
(LEE-ber shtah-BEEL als shnel)
6) Expectation: Remote work is everywhere
Reality: Hybrid is common, fully remote less so.
Many companies offer remote days, but still expect regular office presence — especially for onboarding and meetings.
- Wir erwarten zwei Tage im Büro.
(veer air-VAR-ten TSVY tah-geh im by-ROH) - Für neue Kollegen ist Präsenz wichtig.
(fyoor NOY-eh kol-LAY-gen ist pray-ZENTS VIKH-tikh)
7) Daily German you’ll hear as a software developer
- Kurzes Update bitte.
(KOOR-tses UP-dayt BIT-teh) - Was ist der aktuelle Stand?
(vas ist dair ak-TOO-el-er shtant) - Was blockiert dich gerade?
(vas BLOK-eert dikh GRAH-deh) - Das nehmen wir ins nächste Sprint.
(das NAY-men veer ins NEHKH-steh shprint)
8) Career growth: slow, but predictable
Promotions in Germany are cautious and often time-based.
You may hear:
- Das ist ein langfristiger Schritt.
(das ist ayn LAHNG-fris-tih-ger shrit) - Wir schauen uns das nächstes Jahr an.
(veer SHOW-en oons das NEHKH-stehs yahr an)
9) Why some expats thrive — and others leave
Expats who succeed in German software jobs tend to:
- Accept slower processes
- Learn basic professional German
- Value stability over rapid growth
- Adapt to structured communication
Those who struggle often expect:
- Startup speed
- US-style salaries
- English-only environments forever
10) A realistic advice for incoming expats
If you’re considering a software job in Germany, recalibrate expectations early.
- Ask about language use in daily work.
- Clarify salary net, not just gross.
- Understand promotion paths.
- Invest in basic office German.
Final takeaway
Software jobs in Germany can be excellent — if you understand the reality. They reward reliability, structure, and communication more than raw speed or bravado.
Expats who adapt to German expectations, instead of fighting them, often find long-term satisfaction, stability, and a sustainable career.