10 reasons semiconductor professionals should choose Germany

By Neil Dickins

May 4, 2023

Germany welcomes foreign skilled workers!

Germany is facing a shortage of skilled workers especially across computer science, IT, software development and electronics engineering. For an experienced Semiconductor professional, Germany could be the country that provides long term job security and everything you need to raise a family. As well as beautiful cities, access to the rest of the EU, sun and snow, a fantastic culture, excellent public transportation systems, low crime rates, the autobahn and not forgetting of course bread, beer and some of the most scenic outdoors in Europe. Germany is generally a very safe place and has a fundamentally solid economy.

Here are the top ten reasons we think Germany is a great place to relocate to for semiconductor engineers.

1) An established industry

Germany offers great opportunities for Analog Mixed Signal IC Designers, AMS Verification and Layout Engineers, RF IC Designers as well as Digital IC Designers and Digital Verification Engineers. There is a growing number of Semiconductor start-ups as well as well-known companies like Apple, STMicroelectronics, Qualcomm, Analog Devices, Renesas, Infineon, ams-OSRAM, Intel, Global Foundries, NXP and Robert Bosch with multiple sites across the country. Germany is world-leading in the development and manufacturing of automotive applications.

2) Investment into chip development and manufacturing

Germany is seeking to establish itself as a major semiconductor production force in order to pave the way for future markets dependent on semiconductor applications. Germany’s chip production ambitions are helping attract more and larger investment projects as the continent seeks to establish security of supply and technological sovereignty into the future. You can read more here.

3) Start-up environment

Opening a business in Germany is also relatively easy and the government offers a number of initiatives to encourage EU start-ups to choose Germany.

4) Research institutes

Germany has many Research and Development initiatives to reinforce the position of Europe’s semiconductor and electronics industry within the global marketplace.

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics
University of Stuttgart Institute of Semiconductor Engineering
Ferdinand Braun Institute
Silicon Saxony
Leibniz Institute for high performance microelectronics

5) The EU Blue Card

The Blue Card scheme is aimed at qualified academic professionals employed in a position commensurate with their qualification and with a designated minimum remuneration (2023 threshold: €58,400 per annum). EU Blue card work permits are based on a valid employment contract with a German company. Most companies in Germany are helpful in supporting the visa process as well as supporting with immigration/relocation for their new employees.

6) Regulated working hours and holidays

Enjoy up to 30 days/year depending on the industry plus public holidays – 40 days in total time off to enjoy!

7) Taxation and social security

Like everywhere, various taxes are directly deducted from your gross salary before you receive your net salary. You also pay social security contributions and your tax bracket is influenced by factors like marriage or the number of children you have. The German system is traditional, stable and built on a security and welfare system that provides for people in times of illness or unemployment. This is via an insurance scheme that is mandatory and includes health insurance, nursing care insurance, pension insurance, accident insurance, unemployment insurance.

8) Education

Children’s schooling is free in the public sector and Germany enjoys a good reputation for its higher education sector as well. There are over 400 universities, many of them scoring high in international rankings among the top universities in the world. Students that are based in Germany, pay a small semester fee and enjoy many benefits.

9) Language

Germans learn English in school and it is possible to communicate in English in Germany, even though as everywhere, locals appreciate it if you try to speak their language. The German cities where it is the easiest to communicate in English include those with the biggest Semiconductor industries, such as; Karlsruhe, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Frankfurt (you can find more information on living and working in Berlin here).

10) Lifestyle

Germany is a great place to live. It’s considered the 8th best country for expats because it’s safe, pretty, has a great culture and is very well-organised. Because of their stellar public transportation, Germany is well-connected and it’s very easy to explore the country and its neighbours. The German economy is another highlight. It is considered the largest economy in Europe, but is still an affordable place to live. For an experienced Semiconductor professional, Germany could be the country that provides long term job security and everything you need to raise a family. It is generally a very safe country and has a fundamentally solid economy.

If you are interested in building your future in Germany, you will be offered top quality working conditions, generous benefits, state-mandated job protection and some of the highest salaries in the world. All in all, Germany’s highly developed infrastructure and robust economy offer you a multitude of solid reasons to move to the country.

View our current Analog / Mixed Signal IC opportunities in Germany now.

OR, if you would like to discuss a potential career move, please contact me Ane Bauer on ane.bauer@ic-resources.com or +44 (0)208 400 7001 or +44 (0)7707268634.