Working and Living in Germany

Your Individual Information Package

22 December 2023

Planning of a Vocational Training in Germany

General Information

If you want to start a vocational training in Germany, you should plan well how you can get a vocational
training place. Above all, it is important to observe the formal requirements for vocational training in
Germany. A series of offers then helps you to orientate yourself in the German training market and to find
a specific vocational training place.

Visa for the purpose of finding a training position

People who are looking to complete a qualified training program in Germany but have yet to find a training
position can apply for a visa for the purpose of finding a training position in accordance with Section 17 (1)
AufenthG (German Residence Act). With this cisa they can come to Germany to apply for, and find suitable
training positions.

Requirements:

• applicants have to be 25 years of age or under

• proof of a post-secondary school diploma that enables to attend a higher education institution, or proof of
a diploma from a German school abroad

• German language skills of at least a B2 level in accordance with the Common European Framework or
Reference for Languages (CEFR)

• ability to cover the living costs for the entire duration of stay

With the visa or residence permit for the purpose of finding a training position, interested candidates can
enter Germany for up to six months in order to apply for training positions. During this time, they cannot
obtain employment.
How to Get a Vocational Training in Germany

Those interested in training in Germany can take the following steps to systematically plan their way to get
a vocational training place:

1. Clarify prerequisites: Interested persons should first inform themselves about the requirements they have
to meet as citizens of their home country. Especially, they should clarify whether they must apply for a visa
to come to Germany. In addition, they should find out whether they have qualified for vocational training in
Germany through their school-leaving qualification.

2. Finding an ideal profession: Interested persons can then choose between a variety of possible vocational
training professions. There are various counselling services that are available on the Internet and can be
used in the home country for the preparation.

3. Finding potential vocational training places: Once the ideal profession is found, a number of internet portals
help to find suitable places.

4. Apply: In the next step, interested persons should contact the potential training company or the technical
school and actively apply for a vocational training place.

5. Clarify financing: In many cases vocational trainees receive a salary during their training. However, it is
necessary for vocational trainees, who need a visa for entry, to prove that they can cover their living
expenses during their vocational training. The question should be clarified as to whether the vocational
training allowance is fully sufficient to cover the cost of living. In accordance with § 16a (3) Residence Act
(AufenthG), vocational trainees have the opportunity to work up to ten hours in addition to their vocational
training.

6. Applying for a visa: If applicants from countries outside the EU, the Euroean Economic Area (EEA) or
Switzerland receive a confirmation of a vocational training place, they must apply for a visa in order to
enter Germany.

Once all these steps have been completed, there is nothing in the way of vocational training in Germany.

Access to the German Vocational Training System

Citizens from states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are free to
enter Germany without any further requirements.

Applicants from third countries who are interested in vocational training must apply for a visa for which the
following conditions must be met:

• Confirmation of a vocational training place

 • Approval of the Federal Employment Agency (priority review) (for graduates who have obtained their
school-leaving certificate at a German school abroad, the priority review is waived). The approval of the
Federal Employment Agency is usually obtained in an internal procedure after visa application.

• Proof that applicants can finance their livelihood during the vocational training (it should be noted that
vocational trainees in the dual vocational training system receive a vocational training allowance, whereas
at a vocational school, this is usually not the case).

• A language proof is required to apply for the visa for the purpose of company-based vocational training.
At the time of application, proof of at least A2-level language skills is required; for training in regulated
health professions, at least B1.

Anyone wishing to come to Germany from a third country should therefore look for a vocational training
place at an early stage and clarify how the vocational training can be financed.

School-Leaving Qualifications as a Prerequisite

The German dual vocational training basically has no formal access conditions. However, when competing
with other applicants, above all a good school-leaving qualification is decisive in competition. A purely
school-based vocational training requires a school-leaving qualification recognized in Germany.

Students with higher educational qualifications have better chances to get their desired vocational training
place. Under certain conditions, foreign school-leaving qualifications can be equated with a German
school-leaving qualification. The equality is decided by the certificate recognition bodies of the Länder.
The competent authorities are available via the database Anabin.

German Language Skills

Since the vocational training in companies and in schools takes place in German and exams are held in
German, good to very good German skills are also an important prerequisite. Those interested in
vocational training should therefore preferably acquire the necessary language skills already in their
country of origin. The language requirements vary from vocational training to vocational training. Some
companies and vocational schools require a proof of knowledge through a language test.
Decision Aids in the Choice of Vocational Training Profession

Prospective vocational trainees can currently choose from around 350 occupations that cover the entire
diversity of today's business and employment world. It is not easy to estimate which profession is the right
one. A range of offers helps with orientation:

• The Federal Employment Agency has put together a number of online services on the website "Which
professions are right for me?". It helps you find the right vocational training. Among other things, interested
persons will find the BERUFE Entdecker (Professions Discoverer), that offers orientations through images,
and a Selbsterkundungstool (self-discovery tool) that can be used to explore strengths, weaknesses and
interests.

• Interested persons who already live in Germany can register for the career choice test of the Federal
Employment Agency, which is carried out by professional vocational psychologists. Further information
can be found in the flyer "Career Choice Test (Berufswahltest – BWT)".

• The Internet portal "Planet Beruf" of the Federal Employment Agency compiles information on various
vocational training courses and occupations for students. There you will also find all the articles of the
eponymous career selection magazine.

• The portal "beerobi" of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research informs interested persons in detail
about various occupations and training opportunities.

Finding a Vocational Training Position in a Company

If you want to apply for a vocational training position within the framework of the dual vocational training
system, you must contact the trainee companies directly. It should be noted that positions are usually
advertised one year in advance for August or September of the following year. Interested persons should
therefore start with the search for possible positions in their desired profession on time. Especially large
companies publish training positions on their own websites. In addition, there are a number of relevant
portals on the Internet, which provide a comprehensive overview of the German vocational training market.

Interested persons can find an overview of the various portals on the portal „Make it in Germany“.

As in the case of an application for a regular job, the initiative of the applicant is also required when trying
to find a vocational training place. It is important to deliver a convincing application beyond the formal
requirements.
Finding a Place at a Vocational School

Anyone interested in vocational training at a vocational school should apply directly to the respective
provider. The offers of the Federal Employment Agency help with the search for suitable providers.
Interested persons should first look up the respective vocational training profession via the portal
"BERUFENET". In the corresponding entry you will find a link under the tab "Perspectives", which can be
used to search for school-based vocational training courses in the respective profession.
For further questions do not hesitate to contact the
Make it in Germany – Customer Center of the
International and Specialized Services (ZAV) of the
Federal Employment Agency.

International and Specialized Services (ZAV)

Make it in Germany – Customer Center
+49 (0)228 713-1313
[email protected]
www.make-it-in-germany.com

If you have any questions about labour market access or work permit
procedures, please contact the following team:

International and Specialized Services (ZAV)

Make it in Germany – Customer Center Team 112
+49 (0)228 713-2000
[email protected]
www.zav.de