Ausbildung in Germany: How Vocational Training Works and How to Apply
Find your route
3 quick steps
What Ausbildung Is
Ausbildung is German vocational training through which you can gain a practical profession and enter the labor market without a university degree. For foreigners, it is also one of the real paths to relocation if there is a training place, sufficient language ability, and the visa requirements are met.
Ausbildung is open not only to German citizens. Employers and vocational schools can accept foreign candidates if the candidate fits the requirements for school education, language, motivation, and documents. But “getting into Ausbildung” usually does not mean just one application to a school. It usually means a full selection process: CV, motivation letter, interview, and sometimes tests.
Two Main Formats
Duale Ausbildung
Duale Ausbildung combines work with an employer and study at a Berufsschule. The trainee has an Ausbildungsvertrag, practical days at the company, and theoretical lessons at the vocational school. This is the format most people mean when they talk about paid Ausbildung.
Advantages of duale Ausbildung:
- practical experience starts in the first months;
- there is a monthly Ausbildungsvergütung;
- after successful completion, it is easier to stay with the employer or look for a job in the profession;
- the profession is recognized in the German vocational education system.
Schulische Ausbildung
Schulische Ausbildung takes place at a vocational school. Practical training can also be part of the program, but the employer is not always the main party to the agreement. In some fields, especially social, medical, and creative ones, the rules for payment and admission differ noticeably.
Before applying, it is important to check whether the school charges tuition, whether there is practical training, whether an allowance is paid, and whether the program is suitable for the visa.
How Long the Training Lasts
Ausbildung usually lasts from 2 to 3.5 years. The exact length depends on the profession, the federal state, the program, and the candidate’s previous education. In some cases, the duration can be shortened, but this is not decided automatically: you need the agreement of the school, employer, or the competent chamber.
Payments During Ausbildung
In duale Ausbildung, the trainee receives Ausbildungsvergütung. The amount depends on the profession, the year of training, the region, and the collective agreement. In 2026, the minimum Ausbildungsvergütung for new contracts is 724 euros gross in the first year of training, 854 euros in the second, 977 euros in the third, and 1014 euros in the fourth, if the Mindestvergütung rules apply.
Average collectively agreed payments are higher than the minimum. According to BIBB, in 2025 the average collectively agreed Ausbildungsvergütung across all years of training was 1209 euros gross per month, but the spread across professions is large.
Important: the allowance does not always cover the visa’s financial requirement. The official Make it in Germany portal states that for a vocational training visa in 2026, living costs are considered covered if the Ausbildungsvergütung is at least 1048 euros gross or 822 euros net per month. If the allowance is lower, additional proof of funds may be required.
Who Ausbildung Is Suitable For
This path is worth considering if you:
- want to get a practical profession in Germany;
- are ready to study and work at the same time;
- know German at least well enough for an interview and Berufsschule;
- are ready to apply to many companies instead of waiting for one answer;
- understand that the training is several years long, not a short course.
After finishing 11 years of school in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other CIS countries, candidates often consider Ausbildung as an alternative to university. But the specific acceptability of school education depends on the profession, employer, school, and visa review. Some fields may require additional documents, practical experience, or proof of equivalence.
German Language
There is no single language level for all Ausbildung programs. In practice, many employers and schools expect B1 or B2, and for medical, social, and customer-facing professions the requirements may be higher. For the vocational training visa, the official benchmark is also often linked to sufficient knowledge of German if language preparation is not built into the program.
A certificate matters, but it is not enough on its own. At the interview, you need to explain your motivation, understand questions about the profession, and show that you can handle training in a German-language environment.
How to Find a Place
Start preparing 9-12 months before the desired start. Many programs begin in summer or autumn, and large employers close recruitment early.
A practical order is this:
- Choose 2-3 professions instead of one overly narrow goal.
- Check the profession description in BERUFENET and employers’ requirements.
- Prepare a German CV, a motivation letter, school documents, and translations.
- Send applications to several companies and regions at once.
- Prepare for a video interview, a trial day, or an internal test.
- After an offer, check the contract, the allowance, the training length, and the visa requirements.
For the search, official and major German resources are useful: Ausbildungssuche Bundesagentur für Arbeit, BERUFENET, IHK/HWK websites, employer websites, and regional portals.
Documents for the Application
Usually required are:
- a CV in German;
- a motivation letter tailored to the specific profession and company;
- a school leaving certificate and, if available, diplomas;
- translations and certifications if required by the employer or authority;
- a language certificate;
- references, internships, or proof of experience if they strengthen the application.
For the visa, the list is broader: the contract or confirmation of the place, passport, application forms, insurance, proof of funds, and education documents. The exact list should be taken from the website of the German embassy in the country where you apply.
Common Mistakes
- sending the same motivation letter to all employers;
- choosing a profession only because of the salary, without understanding the working conditions;
- applying too late;
- not checking whether the program is duale or schulische Ausbildung;
- assuming any allowance is sufficient for the visa;
- underestimating the German language needed for Berufsschule.
What Ausbildung Gives You After Graduation
Successfully completing Ausbildung gives you a German professional qualification and improves your chances of finding work in your field. If a suitable employer is found after the training, the next residence permit usually revolves around qualified employment. The conditions depend on the specific status, profession, and contract, so before changing or renewing the permit, you should check the requirements with the Ausländerbehörde and official sources.
Ausbildung is a strong path for those who are ready for the German language, a practical profession, and competition for a place. It is not an “easy relocation without costs,” but with a good choice of profession it can provide a clear qualification, experience, and a stable start in Germany.
