Ausbildung is Germany’s dual vocational training system: you train and work in a company, study theory at a vocational school (Berufsschule), and receive a monthly training allowance throughout. At the end you get a vocational qualification recognised in Germany.
This guide walks through the route step by step. All figures come from official German sources listed at the end. They change every year, so check them before any decision.
How much does a trainee earn?
Germany sets a legal minimum training allowance (Mindestausbildungsvergütung). According to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), these are the monthly minimums for dual training starting between 1 January and 31 December 2026:
| Training year | Monthly minimum |
|---|---|
| 1st year | €724 |
| 2nd year | €854 |
| 3rd year | €977 |
| 4th year | €1,014 |
This is the floor; many companies pay more depending on the occupation and region. Note that the minimum alone may not meet the visa’s financial requirement (see below).
Step 1: learn German
Language is the key requirement. The official “Make it in Germany” sheet on the vocational training visa says B1 is usually required if the company has not assessed your German itself. The German Embassy in Bern (December 2025) states B1 for qualified vocational training, otherwise as a rule at least A2.
Practical tip: do not start applying before you are close to B1 — interviews and vocational school are in German.
Step 2: choose an occupation
There are more than 300 recognised training occupations, including nursing, electrical work, mechanics, hospitality, logistics and IT. Pick one that fits your background and language level; technical and office jobs usually need stronger German.
Step 3: find a training place
Official places to search:
- The Federal Employment Agency job board (Bundesagentur für Arbeit – Jobbörse), filtered for “Ausbildung”.
- The government portal “Make it in Germany”.
- Training-place lists of the regional chambers of commerce (IHK) and of crafts (HWK).
Prepare a CV in German, a cover letter (Anschreiben) for each company, and translated copies of your certificates.
Option: the visa to look for a training place
If you cannot find a place from abroad, there is a visa to come to Germany and search in person. According to “Make it in Germany”:
- Age: up to 35.
- German: at least B1.
- School certificate: one that gives access to a German university, or a certificate from a German school abroad.
- Funds: a scholarship, a blocked account with at least €1,091 per month (2026 figures), or a declaration of commitment.
Step 4: the training contract
Once a company accepts you, you sign a training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag), which the company usually registers with the competent chamber (IHK or HWK). The contract is the basis of your visa application.
Step 5: the vocational training visa
Funds: per “Make it in Germany”, in-company (dual) training must pay at least €822 net / €1,048 gross per month. For school-based training you must prove at least €959 net per month via a blocked account, scholarship or declaration of commitment.
Figures can differ by embassy and update date — the Bern sheet (December 2025), for example, lists €992 gross per month for the first year; if your allowance is lower, you prove the shortfall with a blocked account. Always rely on the German embassy in your country.
Federal Employment Agency approval: for qualified vocational training, approval of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) is usually obtained within the visa procedure.
Typical documents (Bern sheet; your embassy may differ slightly):
- Passport with at least two empty pages and sufficient validity.
- Online application form and a recent biometric photo.
- A detailed letter of motivation.
- Original training contract signed by both parties, plus the training plan.
- Proof of German, or enrolment in an intensive preparatory course.
- Proof of financial means and health insurance.
- Detailed CV in German.
- Visa fee: €75 according to the Bern sheet.
Common mistakes
- Paying agents who promise a “guaranteed contract”. A real contract comes from a registered German company you can verify.
- Applying with weak German.
- Using outdated figures for proof of funds — amounts are updated yearly.
- Sending one generic cover letter to every company.