Study abroad·Europe· 9 min read

The Ausbildung Route: Vocational Training in Germany for International Students

A guide to Germany's Ausbildung route for international students: paid dual vocational training, the German language and training-contract requirements, its own residence permit, and what comes after.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

What it is: Ausbildung — formal (often paid, dual) vocational training in Germany
Anchor requirement: A vocational training contract with a German employer
Residence permit: Vocational-training permit under §16a of the Residence Act
German level: Often around CEFR B1–B2 (varies by occupation/provider)
Pay: A training allowance throughout; a side job up to 20 hrs/week may be allowed
After training: Up to 18-month job-seeking permit may follow — verify on official sources

What the Ausbildung route is — and how it differs from a degree

Ausbildung is Germany's system of formal vocational training. In the most common form, dual vocational training, you learn a recognised occupation by working at a training company while attending a vocational school, and you are paid a training allowance throughout.

This is a genuinely different route from studying for a university degree. You are not enrolled in a degree programme; you are training for a skilled occupation under a training contract with an employer. It also has its own residence permit rather than a student one.

For international students weighing Germany, Ausbildung is worth knowing about as a distinct, employer-linked pathway — but it is not a shortcut to a university degree, and it suits people who want a hands-on occupational qualification.

Ausbildung = formal vocational training for a recognised occupation
Dual training combines paid work at a company with vocational school
You train under an employer contract, not a degree enrolment
It has its own residence route — distinct from studying for a degree

Dual vs school-based training and the training contract

Most Ausbildung is dual (in-company) training: a company hires you as a trainee under a vocational training contract, and you split your time between the workplace and a vocational school. There is also school-based training, run mainly at a vocational school, which is more common in fields such as some health and social professions.

The training contract with a German employer is the anchor of the whole route. You generally need to secure this contract first, because it is what your residence permit for vocational training is based on.

Finding a training place therefore comes before the visa. Official job and training-place portals list openings; requirements and availability vary by occupation and region, so research the specific occupation you want.

Dual (in-company) training is the most common form; school-based training also exists
A training contract with a German employer anchors the route
You usually secure the training contract before applying for the permit
Training-place availability varies by occupation and region

German language requirements

Because dual training happens in a German workplace and vocational school, German language ability matters. Proof of German is often expected around CEFR levels B1–B2, though the exact level depends on the occupation and the training provider.

In some cases the language requirement can be waived if the training company confirms your German is sufficient, and holders of a vocational-training residence permit may be entitled to attend a preparatory German language course.

Because requirements vary, confirm the German level your specific occupation and employer expect, and plan learning time before you start — language is often the deciding factor in getting and completing a training place.

German is usually expected around CEFR B1–B2, depending on occupation and provider
The requirement can be waived if the training company confirms sufficient German
A vocational-training permit may allow a preparatory German course
Confirm the exact level for your occupation and plan learning time

The residence permit for vocational training (§16a)

Once you have a training contract, non-EU nationals apply for a residence permit for vocational training — issued under §16a of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) — at the competent foreigners authority, and it is issued for the duration of the training. For in-company training, the process may involve approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

As neutral general information — not immigration advice — the vocational-training residence permit is a distinct route. It is not a study permit, and it is separate from employment-based entry routes such as the EU Blue Card, the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) or the post-study job-seeker permit, which serve different purposes.

Exact documents, financial proof, the applicable legal provision, and processing times are set by the German authorities and can change over time, so verify the current requirements on the official German government sources before you act.

Vocational-training residence permit is issued under §16a of the Residence Act
You apply after securing a training contract; Federal Employment Agency approval may apply
It is distinct from a study permit, the EU Blue Card, the Chancenkarte and the job-seeker permit
This is general information, not immigration advice — verify on official German sources

Working alongside training and the training allowance

Ausbildung is paid: your training company pays a training allowance for the duration, which is one of the route's defining features versus self-funded study. The amount depends on the occupation, sector and region.

Holders of a vocational-training residence permit may also take on a side job of up to 20 hours per week, provided it is independent of the vocational training. This is a general rule, not a guarantee for every case.

Do not treat any allowance or side-income figure as fixed — amounts and the rules around additional work are set officially and can change. Verify current limits and any conditions on the official government sources before relying on them.

The training company pays a training allowance throughout the Ausbildung
A side job of up to 20 hours per week may be allowed, independent of the training
Allowance amounts vary by occupation, sector and region
Verify current allowance and side-work rules on official sources

After you finish: staying to work in Germany

Completing an Ausbildung gives you a recognised German vocational qualification, which can position you for skilled work in your trained occupation. After finishing, a residence permit for job-seeking can be issued for up to 18 months to look for a job matching your qualification.

Where you find qualifying employment, you can then move onto a work-based residence route. This is a different permit from the training one and is arranged separately.

As with every step here, this is general information, not immigration advice: the exact post-training options, durations and conditions are set by the German authorities and change over time — always verify the current rules on official German government sources.

You finish with a recognised German vocational qualification
A job-seeking residence permit of up to 18 months may follow to find matching work
Qualifying employment can lead onto a work-based residence route
This is general information, not immigration advice — verify current rules officially

Frequently asked questions

Is Ausbildung the same as a university degree?

No. Ausbildung is vocational training for a recognised occupation, done under a training contract with an employer (in the dual model) rather than as a degree enrolment. It has its own residence permit and is not a route to a university degree.

Do I get paid during an Ausbildung?

Yes — in dual vocational training the company pays a training allowance for the duration. The amount varies by occupation, sector and region, so treat any figure as approximate and verify current details officially.

How much German do I need for an Ausbildung?

German is usually expected around CEFR B1–B2, depending on the occupation and training provider, though it can be waived if the company confirms your German is sufficient. Confirm the exact level your occupation and employer require.

What visa or residence permit does Ausbildung use?

It uses the residence permit for vocational training under §16a of the German Residence Act, applied for after you have a training contract. It is distinct from a study permit, the EU Blue Card and the Chancenkarte. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current rules and applicable provision on official sources.

Can I work extra hours during my Ausbildung?

Holders of a vocational-training residence permit may take a side job of up to 20 hours per week if it is independent of the training. This is a general rule, not a guarantee — verify the current limits and conditions on official German sources.

What can I do after completing an Ausbildung?

You gain a recognised German vocational qualification, and a job-seeking residence permit of up to 18 months may follow to find matching work, which can lead onto a work-based route. Verify the current post-training options on official German government sources.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Make it in Germany — Visa for vocational training; Make it in Germany — Requirements for vocational training; Make it in Germany — Prospects after your vocational training.

Last verified: 3 July 2026.