An Ausbildung is Germany's vocational training system. Instead of paying tuition, you sign a contract with an employer, learn on the job and at a vocational school, and receive a monthly salary from day one. For many young people from abroad it is the most direct route to a skilled job and a long-term future in Germany.
How it works
- Duration: usually two to three and a half years, depending on the profession.
- Dual training: you spend part of the week (or blocks of weeks) at the vocational school (Berufsschule) and the rest working at your employer.
- School-based training: some professions, including nursing, combine school lessons with placements in hospitals and care homes.
- You finish with a state-recognised qualification that is valued by employers across Germany.
What you earn
Trainees receive a monthly training allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung) that rises each year. The amount depends on the profession and employer. There is a legal minimum, and many sectors pay well above it: nursing trainees under public-sector agreements, for example, earn well over €1,000 a month from the first year.
Popular fields for international applicants
- Nursing (Pflegefachfrau / Pflegefachmann) and elderly care
- Hotels, restaurants and tourism
- Skilled trades such as electrician, plumber or mechatronics technician
- Logistics, warehousing and professional driving
- Retail and sales
Entry requirements
- A school-leaving certificate comparable to the German Realschule or Hauptschule level (typically ten or more years of schooling, depending on the profession).
- German at B1 level in most cases. Nursing and other people-focused professions often expect B1 to B2.
- A signed training contract with a German employer or school.
- Proof that you can cover your living costs. If your training allowance is high enough, it usually counts; otherwise you may need a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) or a sponsor's declaration.
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The visa for vocational training
- 1Learn German to the required level and get a certificate from a recognised provider.
- 2Find a training place and sign the contract.
- 3For company-based training, the Federal Employment Agency usually has to approve the position. Your employer can start this in advance.
- 4Book an appointment at the German embassy or consulate and apply for the national visa for vocational training.
- 5After arrival, register your address and apply for your residence permit at the local immigration office.
You are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week alongside your training, in addition to your training allowance.
After you finish
Once you complete your Ausbildung, you can stay in Germany to look for a job in your field, and switch to a residence permit for skilled workers as soon as you find one. Because your qualification is German, you do not need a separate recognition process, and the path to permanent residence is shorter than for many other routes.
Be careful of agents who charge high fees for a "guaranteed" Ausbildung place or visa. No one can guarantee a visa. A genuine employer will never ask you to pay for your training contract.
How Europe Careers helps
We work with employers who train international candidates, help you choose a field that suits your background, and prepare you for interviews, the visa appointment and your first weeks in Germany.