diff --git a/test/embedded/pom.xml b/test/embedded/pom.xml
index ac1088955..d86c64ca9 100644
--- a/test/embedded/pom.xml
+++ b/test/embedded/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
   <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-camunda-test</artifactId>
 
   <properties>
-    <version.java>17</version.java>
+    <version.java>21</version.java>
     <java.version>${version.java}</java.version>
     <maven.compiler.source>${java.version}</maven.compiler.source>
     <maven.compiler.target>${java.version}</maven.compiler.target>