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Route · Train for a qualification in Germany
Vocational training (Ausbildung)
German: Berufsausbildung · Section 16a Residence Act
Learn a profession in Germany. You work and study at the same time, you earn training pay, and there is no upper age limit. After you finish, a path to skilled work opens.
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No-obligation introductory call · Information last updated: November 2026
With a German company
None
Usually around B1
Up to 20 h a week
In short
- 01
For people who want a German professional qualification and have a training place with a company.
- 02
You get training pay, you may work up to 20 hours a week in a side job, and there is no age limit.
- 03
After the training you can stay up to 18 months to find a job, and later move to a skilled worker permit.
General information to help you get oriented. For your own case the German authorities decide, and we are happy to talk it through with you.
01
What it is
Vocational training, called Ausbildung in German, is the usual way to learn a profession in Germany. In the dual system you learn in a company and also go to a vocational school. It lasts about two to three and a half years, depending on the profession.
The residence permit for training is based on Section 16a of the Residence Act. Most people have a training contract with a German company. For some professions the training is school-based and happens fully at a school. In both cases you get a national visa first, and then a residence permit in Germany.
02
Who it is for
A good fit if you
- want to learn a profession in Germany, such as in care, the trades, hospitality, logistics or IT
- have found a training place, or are ready to look for one
- are willing to learn German up to a level the training needs
- can cover your living costs, with training pay and other money if needed
You do not need to tick every box today. Many people start by finding out which parts they still need.
Another route may suit you better
- You have no training place yetA stay of up to nine months to look for one can be possible. Read about searching for a training place.
- You already have a qualification from homeYour qualification may be recognised. See recognition in Germany or the Opportunity Card.
- You want to go to universityRead about studying in Germany.
Not sure this is your route?Compare the route guides and see which one fits your situation.
See all routes03
When it fits best
You want a German qualification that employers know and trust.
You do not have a university degree, or you want to start working life with a paid training.
You plan to stay in Germany and want a clear path to skilled work.
04
Conditions
Everyone needs a valid passport, health insurance and enough money to live on. Then the training itself must fit these points.
Training in a company
- A training contract with a company in Germany for a qualified training
- The Federal Employment Agency usually has to agree
- German language level the training needsoften around B1; the company or the school may test it
- Health insurance and enough money for your living costs
Section 16a(1) Residence Act (AufenthG); Section 8 Employment Ordinance (BeschV)
Training at a school
- A place at a school for a profession that leads to a state-recognised qualification
- The course must not be mainly for citizens of one country
- German level the school asks forcheck with the school
- Enough money for your living costs
Section 16a(2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
Living costs, guide values 2026guide only
| Dual training in a companynet training pay, per month | € 822 |
|---|---|
| Dual training in a companygross training pay, per month | € 1,048 |
| School-based trainingper month | € 959 |
These are guide values from the Federal Government portal. The office decides each case. Training pay in the contract often counts as your income.
05
Steps and timing
- 01
Choose your profession
You · a few weeks
Look at professions with open training places in your region. Read what the training needs.
- 02
Learn German
You + language school · depends on your level
Many companies ask for around B1. Some schools or companies test your German themselves.
- 03
Find a training place
You + companies · often several months
Apply to companies. Many apply to several companies at the same time. Job portals and the Federal Employment Agency list training places.
- 04
Sign the training contract
You + company · varies
The contract states the profession, the length and your pay.
- 05
Approval and visa application
You + mission + authorities · waiting time varies
Apply for the national visa at the German mission responsible for where you live. The Federal Employment Agency usually gives its consent.
Arrive and start training
You + company · training length varies
Register your address and get your residence permit in Germany. Then your training begins.
Time before you travelDepends on your country
Talk to our team06
Documents
- Passportvalid for the whole stay
- Biometric photos
- Application form and CV
- Training contract
- School certificateswith translations if the office asks
- Proof of Germanif the company or school did not test it
- Proof of living coststraining pay, or other proof
- Health insurance
Your certificates need the right stamps. An apostille (an official confirmation stamp) or legalisation by the German mission: it depends on the country that issued them. See the rules for your country
07
Life in Germany
20 h
side job a week, apart from your training
Pay
training pay from your company
No limit
there is no upper age limit for this permit
18 months
possible stay to find a job after the training
08
Costs
| Visa feenational visa, paid at the German mission | € 75 |
|---|---|
| Residence permit in Germanypaid at the local authority | up to € 100 |
| Language exampaid to the exam centre | varies |
| Living costs in Germanydual training, net pay as a guide | about € 822 a month |
|---|
Official fees as of November 2026. They can change. Training in Germany usually has no tuition fee at the vocational school.
09
Your future in Germany
After your training, many doors open. The time each step takes depends on your situation and on the law at that time.
- 01After the training
Find a job
A stay of up to 18 months to look for a job that fits your qualification.
- 02With a job
Skilled worker permit
The skilled worker visa is the usual next permit.
- 03Later
Permanent residence
With a German training, it can be possible after 2 years with a skilled worker permit (Section 18c).
10
Tips for a strong application
- Start with German early. A good level helps in the application, at the vocational school and at work.
- Apply to more than one company. Different companies, different answers. More tries mean more chances.
- Ask if your earlier training can shorten the Ausbildung. Sometimes it can. The company and the chamber decide.
- Keep your documents clean and consistent. Same names, dates and job titles everywhere.
11
Questions
The law has no upper age limit for this permit. Companies decide who they hire.
It depends on the training. Often around level B1. Some companies or schools test your German themselves, and some training starts with a German course.
Yes, up to 20 hours a week in a job that is not part of your training.
If this is not your fault, you can get up to six months to look for another training place.
The rules depend on your permit and your income. Family reunion guide
You can stay up to 18 months to find a skilled job. Then you can move to a work permit. Skilled worker visa
For some professions, yes. The course must lead to a state-recognised qualification. Ask the school which German level it needs.
For health and care jobs, only the Federal Employment Agency may recruit and place workers from certain countries (Section 38 Employment Ordinance). Check the current country list. We can only give you general information on this route.
Words on this page
- Ausbildung
- Vocational training in Germany. You learn in a company and at a vocational school.
- Dual training
- Training in two places: the company and the school.
- Federal Employment Agency
- The German authority for work. It usually has to agree to the training permit.
- Blocked account
- A German bank account for your own living money. Some people use it as proof of money.
Routes to Germany
Related routes
Training place search
Come to Germany to look for a training place.
Training place search: Read the guide
Skilled worker visa
Work in Germany as a skilled worker.
Skilled worker visa: Read the guide
About DastN
Placement and relocation from Berlin
DastN GmbH is a placement and relocation company in Berlin. We connect skilled people with employers in Germany and help with the steps on the way.
DastN GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 194, 10707 Berlin
HRB 230821 B
Founded in Berlin in 2021
Sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 16a, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Sections 18c and 20
- Employment Ordinance (BeschV), Section 8
- Residence Ordinance (AufenthV), Section 46: visa fees
- Make it in Germany: Vocational training (Federal Government portal)
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We prepare every step carefully; the decisions are issued by the competent authorities.