Ausbildung in Germany: requirements for foreigners

At GermanPathways we prepare Ausbildung applications for international applicants from different countries, and these six points come up in every single case. Below you find each requirement in detail, the official figures and the most common mistakes to avoid before you apply for an Ausbildung.

What is an Ausbildung?

An Ausbildung – sometimes called an apprenticeship – is Germany's dual training system. It combines practical, paid work in a company with theoretical classes at a vocational school. The training period usually lasts 2 to 3.5 years and ends with a recognised German vocational qualification. That is why vocational training in Germany is attractive for people who want to build a career and a life in Germany.

1. German language: B1 is the usual minimum

An Ausbildung happens in German: at work and at the vocational school (Berufsschule). For the visa for vocational training, you normally have to prove German at level B1 of the Common European Framework (CEFR).

According to Make it in Germany, B1 applies if the training company has not assessed your German itself and you have not completed a preparatory German course. In practice, many employers prefer the B2 level – especially in jobs with a lot of customer contact. Good German language skills also make the vocational school much easier.

The usual proof is a certificate from a recognised exam such as Goethe, telc or ÖSD. If you are not at B1 yet, this is the first thing to work on – everything else depends on it.

See our German courses from A1 to B2 →

2. School-leaving certificate

German law does not set one fixed school certificate for every Ausbildung – the training company decides whom it accepts. Most companies expect a completed secondary school diploma and want to see your grades, often translated into German. A university degree is not required.

The official overview of the visa for vocational training does not list a formal recognition of your school certificate as a visa requirement. It is different for the visa to search for a training place: there you need a certificate that would give you access to a university in Germany.

3. A training place with a German company

For the visa you need a specific training place in Germany – usually a signed training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) with a company, or a place at a school for school-based training.

For in-company training, the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) checks the conditions, for example whether you will be employed on the same terms as German trainees. This is an internal step during the visa procedure – you do not have to apply for it yourself.

Finding the training place is the hardest part for most applicants. It takes a German CV, a tailored cover letter for each company and many applications.

4. Enough money to live on (2026 figures)

You must show that you can cover your living costs. For in-company training, the training allowance counts:

If your training allowance is lower than €1,048 gross, you can cover the difference with a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone in Germany.

For comparison, the legal minimum training allowance for training that starts in 2026 is:

Many companies pay more than the minimum, but not all of them reach €1,048. Check your offer early, so you know whether you need extra funds.

5. The visa for vocational training

If you are not a citizen of an EU country, you apply for a national visa for vocational training at the German mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country. Typical documents for the visa process:

• valid passport
• training contract or confirmation of your training place
• proof of German (usually B1)
• proof of financial means (see above)
• proof of health insurance for the time before you start

The fee is €75 (paid in local currency). In Germany you then apply for a residence permit at the local foreigners' office before your visa expires; this can cost up to €100. Each embassy publishes its own checklist and appointment rules, so always check your embassy's website.

During your Ausbildung you may work a side job of up to 20 hours per week, as long as it is independent of your training.

No training place yet? The visa to search for one

If you want to look for a training place from inside Germany, there is a separate visa to search for a vocational training place. In 2026 you need:

• to be under 35 years old
• German at B1
• a school-leaving certificate that gives access to a university in Germany (or a certificate from a German school abroad)
• a blocked account with at least €1,091 per month, or a declaration of commitment

With this visa you can stay up to nine months, work up to 20 hours per week and do trial work of up to two weeks. In our experience, most applicants find it easier to apply from home first and travel once they have a contract.

Health and care training: a special rule

If you come from a country on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List – for example Nigeria – only the Federal Employment Agency may recruit or place you into health and care jobs and training (§ 38 BeschV). Private agencies like us therefore do not place applicants from these countries in nursing or care. You can still apply on your own initiative or through the agency's programmes – and we can prepare your German.

What happens after the Ausbildung?

When you finish your training, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for a job that matches your qualification. Once you find one, you can apply for a residence permit for qualified employment without leaving Germany. After the Ausbildung and two years of work, a settlement permit may be possible if you meet the other conditions.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying before B1. Many companies will not consider an application without a German certificate.
• One CV for every company. German employers expect a German-style CV and a cover letter written for their job.
• Not checking the allowance. An offer below €1,048 gross means you need extra funds for the visa.
• Forgetting the start-up costs. Your training allowance is only paid once you have started. Plan money for travel, accommodation and a rent deposit.
• Paying for "guaranteed placements". Under German law (§ 296a SGB III) people looking for training must not be charged for placement.

Ausbildung requirements – FAQ

Sources: Make it in Germany – visa for vocational training and visa to search for a training place (federal government portal, figures as of 2026); BIBB – minimum training allowance 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Visa decisions are made solely by the German authorities.