Ausbildung Roadmap.
From choosing your Ausbildung to signing your contract and starting your life in Germany: everything you need to know, in the right order.
What is a Duale Ausbildung?
A Duale Ausbildung combines practical training in a company with theoretical learning at a vocational school (Berufsschule). As an Azubi, you spend part of your week working and learning within the company, and part of it completing the theoretical component at the Berufsschule. You're not simply a student: you're also part of the company, and you receive an Ausbildungsvergütung (training remuneration) for it.
How it works
- 01 · CompanyPractical training
You learn the actual profession, work alongside colleagues, and gain hands-on experience.
- 02 · BerufsschuleTheory
You learn the professional and theoretical knowledge required for your occupation.
- 03 · ExaminationsQualification
At the end of the Ausbildung, you complete the relevant final examination for a recognised professional qualification.
Duration depends on the occupation and its training regulations. Most dual Ausbildung programmes last roughly 2–3.5 years.
Why choose Duale Ausbildung?
- Practical work experience
- Recognised professional qualification
- Monthly training remuneration
- Combination of theory and practice
- Opportunity to build professional experience in Germany
- Potential long-term career opportunities after completion
Requirements are not the same for every Ausbildung. What applies to you depends on:
Choose the right Ausbildung
Don't start with "Which Ausbildung is easiest to get?" Start with "Which profession can I realistically see myself doing?" Germany offers a large number of recognised training occupations; before choosing, research each shortlisted option properly. The Ausbildung Profession Finder → lets you filter 50 professions by field, work style and German level to build that shortlist.
- What will I actually do?
Look at the daily responsibilities, not just the job title.
- What qualifications are expected?
Check real Ausbildungsanzeigen (job postings) from companies, not general assumptions.
- How much German will I need?
Some occupations involve considerably more day-to-day communication than others.
- What are the working conditions?
Research working hours, physical requirements, shifts, customer contact, and workplace environment.
- What opportunities come after?
Look at possible career paths, further qualifications (Meister, Techniker), and employment prospects.
Your Ausbildung shortlist
Create a shortlist of 3–5 occupations rather than applying randomly. Type straight into the sheet: it's saved on this device. The first row shows a worked example.
| Ausbildung | Why interested? | Requirements | German level | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Official place to research occupations: Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Ausbildung ↗
Check if you qualify
This is where it pays to be precise. If you want to work through this properly before you apply, the Ausbildung Eligibility Checklist → covers each requirement in detail with tickable lists you can save.
School qualification
For a Duale Ausbildung, there's generally no single legally prescribed school qualification that applies to every occupation. Companies decide which qualifications they expect from applicants: one company may ask for a particular school-leaving qualification while another accepts a different educational background.
Requirements are set by the individual company and occupation, not by a single national rule. Treat every job posting as the authority for that specific placement.
Your education
Depending on the employer and occupation, you may need:
If you completed your education outside Germany, recognition of your school certificate may be relevant in some situations, but it shouldn't be treated as a universal requirement for every dual Ausbildung. Confirm directly with the company or occupation in question.
🇩🇪 German language
German is one of the most important factors for international applicants. You need it not only for the visa process, but also to:
B1 or B2?
Generally the standard benchmark used for vocational training and visa purposes, though not an absolute rule that every applicant must independently prove B1 in every situation. Your employer can also set its own expectation.
For many international applicants, reaching B2 before starting makes a real difference in handling workplace communication and Berufsschule together.
Don't aim for the minimum simply because the visa allows it. If you can reach B2 before starting your Ausbildung, you'll generally be much better prepared for the combination of workplace communication and Berufsschule. Learn German →
Prepare & find your Ausbildungsplatz
This is the application phase. For the full document list and a pre-submit check, see the Ausbildung Application Checklist →
- Lebenslauf: CV
- Anschreiben: cover letter
- School certificates
- Relevant transcripts
- German certificate, where requested
- Internship/work certificates
- Other documents specifically requested by the company
Your application should clearly answer: why this Ausbildung? Why this company? Why are you suitable? What relevant experience or skills do you already have?
Find Ausbildungsplätze
Use multiple sources in parallel rather than waiting on one at a time. Official: Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Ausbildungsplatzsuche ↗
Don't apply to only one company. Keep an application tracker so nothing falls through the cracks. This one is saved on this device:
| Company | Ausbildung | Location | Deadline | Applied | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There's no universal application deadline for every Ausbildung. Some companies, particularly larger employers, recruit very early; others advertise later. A good strategy is to start researching 12–18 months before your desired start date and apply as soon as suitable positions become available.
Get selected: tests & interviews
Getting an application sent is only the beginning. Depending on the company and occupation, the selection process may include:
- Application
- Interview
- Aptitude test
- Practical assessment
- Offer
Not every company uses all of these stages.
Prepare for the interview
You should be able to answer these in German. Tap a card to see the question the way the interviewer will ask it.
Don't memorise a perfect speech. Prepare your key points and practise explaining them naturally in German.
For international applicants, the employer isn't only evaluating your qualifications: your ability to communicate and learn in a German workplace matters just as much.
You got the Ausbildungsplatz!
Congratulations, but don't immediately book your flight. Your next important document is the Ausbildungsvertrag, and it should clearly establish the important conditions of your Ausbildung. Before signing, check:
- Ausbildungsberuf
- Start date
- Training duration
- Probezeit (probation period)
- Working hours
- Vacation
- Ausbildungsvergütung
- Training location
- Other contractual conditions
Ausbildungsvergütung
The amount depends on the occupation, employer and applicable agreements. For vocational training beginning in 2026, the statutory minimum remuneration is:
These are statutory minimum figures, not the amount every Azubi receives: many training positions pay more, and figures are gross. Confirm the current figures via BIBB ↗
Receiving an Ausbildungsplatz doesn't automatically mean your visa is guaranteed. If you're a third-country national, you still need to satisfy the applicable immigration requirements, covered next.
Visa & moving to Germany
This is one of the biggest concerns for international applicants, so it's worth being precise about the two different routes.
If you're a citizen of the EU/EEA/Switzerland, different freedom-of-movement rules apply and you generally don't need a visa. If you're a third-country national, you'll generally need the appropriate residence permission to undertake your Ausbildung in Germany.
If you already have a signed Ausbildungsplatz, this is generally the relevant route. Covers both company-based and school-based training, and permits up to 20 hours/week of independent side employment. If your permit would otherwise lapse through no fault of your own, you're generally given up to six months to find another placement.
§16a AufenthG: full text ↗A separate, time-limited route if you don't have a placement yet. Among other requirements, you must be under 35, hold a school-leaving certificate that gives access to higher education, show German at B1, and prove living costs of €1,091 per month (2026) via a blocked account or declaration of commitment. Valid for up to nine months, with employment permitted up to 20 hours/week and up to two weeks of trial work.
§17 AufenthG: full text ↗There's no general age limit for doing an Ausbildung. The under-35 requirement applies specifically to the §17 AufenthG training-place-search route, not to Ausbildung itself.
💰 Financial requirement
For a company-based Ausbildung, your training remuneration can count toward your livelihood requirement. For 2026, official guidance treats livelihood as secured where the in-company training allowance is at least:
If your remuneration is below the required amount, additional accepted financial proof (blocked account or a declaration of commitment) may be necessary. This figure is revised periodically: always confirm the current amount on Make it in Germany: Visa for Vocational Training ↗ rather than a number you saw a while ago.
Visa preparation
Your exact checklist depends on your nationality and responsible German mission. Potential documents include:
Don't rely on an old generic visa checklist from YouTube, Instagram, or an agency. Federal Foreign Office: visa information ↗
Arrive, settle & start your Ausbildung
Once your visa is approved, the process isn't finished: you now need to transition from "future Azubi" to "Azubi in Germany".
- Passport
- Visa
- Ausbildungsvertrag
- Accommodation
- Travel arrangements
- Insurance
- Important certificates
- Digital copies of important documents
- Initial financial reserve
- Anmeldung
Once you move into your accommodation, you generally need to register your address with the competent registration authority within two weeks, and you'll normally need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your housing provider. Full walkthrough: First Week in Germany Checklist → (§17 Bundesmeldegesetz ↗)
- Residence formalities
If required, complete the residence-permit process with your local Ausländerbehörde.
- Insurance & finances
Make sure your health insurance and financial arrangements are active.
- Contact your Ausbildungsbetrieb
Confirm your first working day, arrival time, location, contact person, required documents, and any work clothing/equipment.
- Prepare for your first day
Your first few weeks will involve learning workplace rules, German workplace vocabulary, company processes, your responsibilities, Berufsschule routines, and how your team communicates.
For the full first-week walkthrough (Anmeldung, health insurance, money and more) see the First Week in Germany Checklist →, which applies to both Study and Ausbildung arrivals.
Official sources
This page is a practical planning tool, not legal or immigration advice. For anything time-critical, confirm directly against these official sources.
Eligibility, remuneration and visa requirements vary by occupation, employer, nationality and individual circumstances. This guide doesn't replace the official instructions of your training company, your responsible German mission, or your local Ausländerbehörde. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Your complete Ausbildung checklist
Tick these off as you go: it remembers where you left off on this device, and moves your train on the line at the top of the page.
Not sure which route
applies to you?
Which visa route, how much German you actually need, and whether a specific company's requirements are realistic for you: Bibin can help you figure out what applies to your exact situation.