The German IT market is struggling with a massive skills shortage. According to Bitkom, there are currently over 137,000 unfilled IT positions in Germany. This gap forces companies to look for alternative ways to implement their development projects.
The solution? Hiring external developers – integrating IT specialists into your team on a temporary or long-term basis without permanent employment.
1. Immediate Access to Specialist Knowledge
The biggest advantage of external developers is immediate access to specific expertise. Need a React developer for a 6-month project? Or an AI specialist for a one-time implementation? External developers bring exactly the expertise you need right now.
Internal employees would first need to be trained – costing time and money. External specialists can be productive immediately.
2. Significant Cost Savings
The costs for a permanently employed senior developer in Germany are substantial:
- Gross salary: €70,000 – €100,000/year
- Employer social security contributions: approx. €20,000 – €25,000
- Office costs, equipment, training: €10,000 – €20,000
- **Total costs: €100,000 – €145,000/year**
An experienced nearshore remote developer costs comparatively:
- Daily rate: €400 – €700
- Annual cost at full-time: €100,000 – €175,000... or proportionally less part-time
For 6-month projects or specialized tasks, the external model is significantly more cost-effective.
3. Scalability and Flexibility
Your company is growing? Scale your development team up. Project finished? Reduce team size without complex HR processes.
External developers give you the flexibility to react quickly to market changes. This is especially valuable for:
- Startups in growth phases
- Seasonal businesses with fluctuating demand
- Companies with project-based development needs
4. No Risk of Bad Hires
Terminating permanent employees in Germany is complex and expensive. External developers can be replaced without major effort if they don't meet expectations. This significantly reduces hiring risk.
5. Fresh Perspectives and Best Practices
External developers work for various companies and projects. They bring best practices from different industries and technologies – and can give your team new impulses.
6. Bridging Bottlenecks
Sometimes projects simply need more hands – temporarily. Whether due to team illness, peak phases or suddenly increased requirements. External developers can step in at short notice.
7. Access to International Talent
The European developer market is huge. Through nearshore developers from North Macedonia, Serbia or Ukraine, you have access to top talent who:
- Speak German or English
- Work in similar time zones (max. 1-2 hour difference)
- Know and appreciate Western European work standards
What Should You Look for When Selecting?
Check Technical Competence
- Conduct technical interviews
- Have coding tests completed
- Review reference projects and GitHub profiles
Ensure Communication Skills
- Test German or English proficiency
- Check experience with remote work
- Look for proactive communication
Consider Legal Aspects
- Clarify contract type (freelancer vs. agency)
- Ensure no bogus self-employment exists
- Regulate IP rights and confidentiality
Softwara: Your Partner for External IT Specialists
Softwara places qualified developers and IT specialists for German companies. Our model:
1. Needs analysis: We understand your requirements
2. Candidate proposals: We present suitable profiles within 48 hours
3. Trial work: 2-week trial without risk
4. Seamless integration: We accompany the onboarding process
Contact us and find out how we can cover your IT needs.