Ausbildung in Germany — Dual System, Application, and Remuneration

What is an Ausbildung?

Dual Ausbildung (also called vocational training or apprenticeship) is the German model of vocational education. It combines practical work in a company with theoretical instruction at a vocational school. This system is unique worldwide and is regarded as a model in many countries.

An Ausbildung typically lasts 2 to 3.5 years and concludes with a final examination at the IHK (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) or the Chamber of Crafts.

Ausbildung vs. University Study

Which professions can you learn?

Germany offers over 320 recognized vocational training professions. The most popular:

Commercial Professions

• Kaufmann/-frau für Büromanagement
• Industriekaufmann/-frau
• Kaufmann/-frau im Einzelhandel
• Bankkaufmann/-frau
• Kaufmann/-frau für Spedition und Logistik

Craft Professions

• Elektroniker/in
• Anlagenmechaniker/in (sanitation, heating, air conditioning)
• Kfz-Mechatroniker/in
• Friseur/in
• Tischler/in

IT and Technology

• Fachinformatiker/in
• IT-Systemelektroniker/in
• Mechatroniker/in
• Zerspanungsmechaniker/in

Health and Social Services

• Pflegefachmann/-frau
• Medizinische/r Fachangestellte/r
• Zahnmedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r
• Erzieher/in (school-based training)

Prerequisites

School Diploma

Formally, there is no fixed minimum diploma requirement for Ausbildung. In practice:

• No diploma — possible in some craft professions, but difficult
• Secondary school diploma (Hauptschulabschluss) — sufficient for many craft and simple commercial professions
• Middle school certificate (Realschulabschluss/Mittlere Reife) — for most professions
• A-levels/Abitur — for demanding professions (banking, IT)

Language Skills

• German at least B1, preferably B2 (vocational school is in German!)
• Some companies offer training-accompanying German courses
• Vocational language courses (DeuFöV) are free at adult education centers (VHS)

Residency Status

For Ausbildung, you need a residency permit allowing vocational training:

• Residence permit for training (§ 16a AufenthG)
• Permanent residence permit or EU Blue Card — training allowed without restrictions
• Duldung (tolerated status) — training duldung possible (§ 60c AufenthG, "3+2 rule")
• EU citizens — no residence permit required

How to find an apprenticeship position?

Online Portals

• Agentur für Arbeit (arbeitsagentur.de) — largest apprenticeship database
• IHK-Lehrstellenbörse (ihk-lehrstellenboerse.de) — IHK professions
• Handwerkskammer (handwerkskammer.de) — craft professions
• Azubi.de, Ausbildung.de — private portals with many listings
• Indeed, Stepstone — also offer apprenticeship positions

Application

A typical application includes:

1. Cover letter — why this profession and this company?
2. Curriculum vitae (tabular format, with photo)
3. Certificates — school diploma, possibly internship certificates
4. Language certificate (German B1/B2) if applicable

Application deadline: Most Ausbildung begins on August 1st or September 1st. Apply one year in advance (from September of the previous year).

Apprentice Remuneration

Since 2020, there is a minimum apprentice remuneration (§ 17 BBiG):

Many industries pay significantly more — e.g., industrial mechanics (approx. 1,000–1,200 €), banking professionals (approx. 1,100 €), masons (approx. 900–1,300 €).

Financial Support

• Vocational training allowance (BAB) — subsidy from Agentur für Arbeit if remuneration is insufficient
• Housing allowance — if you don't live with your parents
• Child allowance — parents receive allowance until age 25 if the child is in training

Rights and Duties as an Apprentice

Your Rights

• Ausbildungsvertrag — written contract with company and vocational school
• Remuneration — at least the legal minimum amount
• Leave — at least 24 working days (under 18: 25–30 working days)
• Release for vocational school — vocational school time counts as working time
• Probation period — 1–4 months; thereafter, termination only for important cause
• Retention — no guarantee, but many companies retain good apprentices
• Retake examinations — if unsuccessful, maximum 2 retakes

Your Duties

• Learning obligation — strive to master the profession
• Compulsory school attendance — attend vocational school regularly
• Training logbook — written documentation of training content (weekly)
• Follow instructions — within the scope of training
• Maintain confidentiality — regarding business secrets

3+2 Rule (Training Duldung)

For refugees with duldung (tolerated status), there is a special provision:

• 3 years of training — you receive duldung for the entire training period
• 2 years of residence — after successful completion, you receive a residence permit for 2 years
• Requirements: training contract, no deportation interest, identity must be clarified

Tips for Foreigners

1. Internship first — a 2–4 week internship demonstrates your interest in the profession and convinces employers
2. Use career counseling — free at Agentur für Arbeit
3. Improve your German — B2 is ideal for vocational school
4. Find volunteer mentors — many organizations offer training mentors
5. Don't give up — rejections are normal; apply to many companies

Status: March 2026. All information provided without guarantee.