Ausbildung in Germany – a complete guide for 2027

Introduction

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people start an Ausbildung – Germany’s dual vocational training system. Instead of sitting only in a lecture hall, you spend most of the week at a company, earn a monthly training wage, and still get classroom teaching at a vocational school (Berufsschule).

For international applicants, Ausbildung is one of the most realistic routes into the German labour market. You do not need a university degree. You do need German, a school-leaving certificate, and – if you are not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland – a training contract plus the right residence permit.

• You train at a company and at vocational school at the same time.
• Dual programmes pay a monthly wage from month one.
• The qualification is recognised across Germany.
• Non-EU applicants can come with a vocational-training visa once they have a contract.

As of 2027: figures for salaries, visas and living costs change regularly. Always confirm the latest rules with Make it in Germany and the German mission in your country before you apply. The German version is Ausbildung in Deutschland.

What is an Ausbildung in Germany?

Ausbildung is a structured apprenticeship. You sign a training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) with a company, are registered with a chamber such as the IHK or HWK, and work towards a state-recognised occupation (anerkannter Ausbildungsberuf).

Germany currently lists well over 300 recognised training occupations – from nursing and hospitality to IT, logistics, crafts and office administration. After the final exam you receive a qualification that employers across the country understand. Many trainees (Azubis) are kept on by the same company; others switch employers or continue with further training.

That mix of paid practice and school is why Ausbildung is often compared with an apprenticeship in other countries – but with clearer national standards, a legal training wage, and a defined exam at the end.

How Does Ausbildung Work?

In the most common model – dual training – your week is split between the workplace and vocational school. Typical rhythm: three to four days in the company, one to two days in class. Some programmes use block teaching (Blockunterricht), with several weeks at school at a time.

1. 1

   Sign a training contract

   The company, you (and a parent if you are under 18) sign the Ausbildungsvertrag. It is registered with the IHK, HWK or another competent body.

2. 2

   Learn on the job

   You work on real tasks under a trainer, rotate through departments where needed, and document what you learn in the Berichtsheft.

3. 3

   Attend Berufsschule

   Vocational school covers theory, general subjects and occupation-specific knowledge. Instruction is almost always in German.

4. 4

   Pass the exams

   A mid-term assessment checks progress. The final exam (written and practical or oral) leads to the recognised Berufsabschluss.

You keep a training record (Berichtsheft), receive paid holiday, and are covered by social insurance once your wage is high enough. Under-18s have extra protections on working hours. The company provides tools and work clothing needed on site; school materials are usually your own cost.

Types of Ausbildung in Germany

Not every programme looks the same. Before you apply, check which model you are targeting – it affects pay, visa proof of funds, and daily life.

How Long Does an Ausbildung Take?

Most dual programmes last two to three and a half years. Two-year courses are common in retail and some assistant roles. Three years is the standard for many trades, IT and commercial occupations. Nursing and some technical professions often take three years; a few skilled crafts run to three and a half.

Strong results, relevant prior training or a higher school certificate can shorten the period. Shortening is agreed with the company and the chamber – it is not automatic. If you fail the final exam, you can usually retake it twice, and the contract may be extended by up to one year.

Who Can Apply for an Ausbildung?

Anyone who has finished compulsory schooling can, in principle, look for a training place. Companies decide whom they hire. There is no nationwide entrance exam and no requirement to have studied at university.

• School leavers from Germany and from abroad with a comparable certificate.
• Career changers who want a recognised trade instead of (or after) university.
• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, who do not need a training visa.
• Non-EU citizens with B1 German and a company willing to train them.
• Applicants without a degree – university study is not a prerequisite.

School leavers in Germany often apply a year before they finish school. Applicants from abroad usually need more lead time: language certificates, document legalisation and a visa appointment can take several months.

Requirements for Ausbildung in Germany

Employers set their own filters, but three topics come up in almost every application: German, school qualifications, and age. For a visa, you also need a signed contract and proof that you can cover living costs.

German Language Requirements

Vocational school and most workplaces run in German. For a residence permit for qualified vocational training (Section 16a of the Residence Act), authorities normally expect level B1 on the CEFR scale, proven with a recognised certificate (for example Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖSD).

Many companies – especially in nursing, childcare and customer-facing roles – ask for B2 because technical classroom language is harder than everyday conversation. IT and some industrial roles sometimes accept B1 if your English is strong, but you should still plan to reach B2.

School Qualifications

There is no single national diploma for Ausbildung. What you need depends on the occupation and the employer:

• Hauptschulabschluss (lower secondary) can be enough for many crafts, logistics, hospitality and some retail programmes.
• Realschulabschluss (intermediate secondary) is typical for office, IT, mechatronics and more competitive commercial roles.
• Abitur / Fachabitur helps for highly sought-after places and is useful if you later want to study.

Foreign certificates usually need a certified translation into German. Some missions also ask for an assessment of comparability (for example via the ZAB). Put your original diploma, translation and, if required, apostille in the same PDF as your CV.

Age Requirements

You can start after completing compulsory education – typically from about 16. German law does not set a maximum age for dual Ausbildung itself, and employers may not reject you solely because of age.

Visa practice is stricter. A visa to search for a training place (Section 17) is limited to applicants under 35. For a visa with an existing contract, older applicants can still succeed, but consular officers often ask more questions about motivation and career plans if you are over 30.

Ausbildung Salary in Germany

Dual Ausbildung is paid. The wage is called Ausbildungsvergütung. For contracts that begin in 2027, German law sets these monthly minima (gross) for dual occupations under the Vocational Training Act:

Collective agreements often pay more. Nursing trainees under public-sector tariffs commonly start well above €1,300. IT and industrial employers frequently offer around €1,000–€1,200 in year one. School-based programmes usually pay little or nothing – that is why visa officers treat them differently when checking funds.

From the second year, wages rise. After the exam, qualified salaries in shortage occupations such as nursing or IT are typically several times the training wage.

Cost of Living During Ausbildung

Your first-year wage will not match a full skilled-worker salary. Planning a realistic monthly budget is essential – especially if you move to a large city and cannot live with family.

Shared flats (WG) in smaller towns are far cheaper than Munich, Frankfurt or Hamburg. Many regions offer discounted public-transport tickets for trainees. If your wage is low and you do not live with your parents, you may be eligible for vocational training support (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe, BAB) or housing benefit – check with the Federal Employment Agency after you arrive.

For visas: if your dual training wage is at least €1,048 gross / €822 net per month (2027), living costs are usually considered covered. If it is lower, you can top up the difference with a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a formal declaration of commitment. School-based training generally requires around €959 net per month in proof of funds.

Can Foreigners Do an Ausbildung in Germany?

Yes. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can live and train in Germany without a visa, under free-movement rules. Everyone else needs a training contract (or, in some cases, a visa to search for one) and a residence permit for vocational training.

Germany has a persistent shortage of trainees in care, hospitality, crafts, logistics and some technical fields. Companies are increasingly open to international Azubis who bring B1/B2 German and a complete application. Foreign trainees already make up a growing share of new apprenticeships.

• You apply directly to employers – there is no central government lottery.
• The company must register the contract with the relevant chamber.
• The Federal Employment Agency may internally check that conditions match those of German trainees.
• You may take a second job of up to 20 hours per week alongside qualified training.

Ausbildung Visa for Germany

Non-EU applicants usually apply for a visa for vocational training under Section 16a of the Residence Act. You apply at the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence – ideally through the Federal Foreign Office’s consular services portal. Processing often takes several weeks to a few months.

After you enter, the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) issues the residence permit for the full length of the programme. Some employers can request a fast-track skilled-worker procedure (Section 81a), which can shorten waiting times.

Important: visa checklists differ by embassy. Use the official list for your mission. Do not book flights until the visa is granted.

Best Ausbildung Programs for International Students

“Best” depends on language, location and long-term plans. International applicants tend to succeed faster in occupations with labour shortages, clearer hiring processes, and companies used to sponsoring visas.

• Nursing (Pflegefachmann/-frau) – strong demand, higher training pay, B2 German required.
• Hotel and gastronomy – many openings, practical German, seasonal hiring in tourist regions.
• IT (Fachinformatiker) – good long-term salaries; B1 plus English can be enough at some firms.
• Mechatronics, electronics and skilled crafts – shortages outside big cities, often with housing help.
• Logistics and professional driving – structured programmes and nationwide employers.
• Office management and retail – widely available; competition is higher in large cities.

Nursing almost always requires B2 and a clean health check. Hospitality and food service can be a faster entry if your German is still consolidating. IT is competitive on paper qualifications but can suit applicants who already code. Avoid programmes that are school-only unless you can prove full funding without a training wage.

Popular Ausbildung Professions

These occupations appear often in searches by international candidates and on German training portals. Openings change by region and season – always check live vacancies.

Nursing professional

Three-year training in hospitals and care homes. High demand, tariff pay above the legal minimum, B2 German expected.

IT specialist (Fachinformatiker)

Application development or system integration. Mix of coding, support and project work; strong after-training salaries.

Hotel specialist

Front office, events and guest service. A frequent entry route for internationals with solid conversational German.

Motor vehicle mechatronics technician

Diagnostics and repair in garages. Practical, in demand, and a good fit if you prefer workshop work to an office.

Cook (Koch/Köchin)

Kitchen training in restaurants and hotels. Physically demanding, internationally transferable skills.

Office management clerk

Organisation, correspondence and accounting support. Needs accurate German writing; openings in almost every industry.

Browse more occupations on our popular Ausbildungsberufe page, or search current openings for Ausbildung 2027.

How to Find an Ausbildung Position

Training places are advertised by companies, chambers, the Federal Employment Agency and specialised portals. Start 6–12 months before your preferred start date. Most programmes begin on 1 August or 1 September.

1. 1

   Choose occupations and regions

   Pick two or three job titles and several cities or states. Shortage regions (east and smaller towns) often reply faster than Munich or Hamburg.

2. 2

   Search specialised portals

   Use Go-Ausbildung, the Federal Employment Agency and chamber boards. Set alerts so you see new 2027 and 2027 starts.

3. 3

   Contact employers directly

   If a company trains but has no advert, a short German email with CV can still work – especially in crafts and hospitality.

4. 4

   Prepare for interviews

   Expect German questions about motivation, your German level, and whether you can move. Trial days (Probearbeiten) are common.

On Go-Ausbildung you can filter by occupation, city and start year, save vacancies, and apply without being sent to a separate career site. A complete profile helps employers find you, too.

How to Apply for an Ausbildung

German applications are more formal than in many countries. Write in German unless the advert explicitly allows English. Keep files as PDF, named clearly (e.g. Lastname_CV.pdf).

1. 1

   Tailor the cover letter (Anschreiben)

   One page, in German, naming the occupation, the company and why you fit. Generic letters are easy to spot.

2. 2

   Send a clear CV (Lebenslauf)

   Table format, reverse chronology, photo optional. Include language levels (B1/B2) and any internships.

3. 3

   Attach certificates

   School diploma, translations, language certificate. Keep the total file size small (under a few MB).

4. 4

   Follow up and interview

   If you hear nothing after two weeks, a polite email is acceptable. Confirm visa timing honestly if you are abroad.

Go-Ausbildung also offers tools to check your CV with AI, draft a cover letter and practise interviews.

Documents You Need

Prepare two packs: one for employers, one for the visa. Overlap is large, but embassies often want originals, translations and extra forms.

What Happens After an Ausbildung?

Passing the chamber or professional exam makes you a qualified skilled worker in that occupation. Typical next steps:

• Stay with your company – many Azubis receive a takeover offer.
• Change employer – your qualification is recognised nationwide.
• Further training – Meister, Techniker, Fachwirt or specialist certificates.
• University – possible with Abitur, or in many states after Ausbildung plus work experience.

Non-EU graduates can usually stay for up to 18 months to look for a qualified job (Section 20 of the Residence Act) and may work in any job during that search. After two years of qualified work in Germany following your Ausbildung, a settlement permit (permanent residence) can be possible if the other legal conditions are met.

Ausbildung vs University in Germany

Neither path is universally better. Ausbildung is paid, practical and occupation-specific. University is longer, more theoretical and often unpaid during the degree. Some careers (medicine, law, teaching) require a degree; many others do not.

A dual study programme (duales Studium) combines a degree with company practice. You can also do Ausbildung first and study later. Read our German-language comparison: Ausbildung oder Studium?

Frequently Asked Questions