3 yearsStart: €1,120
Chef & hospitality
Chef, hotel specialist or restaurant specialist in hotels and restaurants.
AusbildungPaid vocational training in Germany
Step up to a paid career in Germany.
Ausbildung is vocational training with a contract and a salary from month one. You learn in a German company and at vocational school, and finish as a qualified skilled worker. We take you there step by step.Vocational training with a contract and a salary from month one. We guide you step by step.
- Salary from month one
- German to B1
- § 16a visa support
- Stay as a skilled worker
€1,117average starting pay per month, 1st year (2025)
300+recognised training occupations
B1German level most companies expect
2–3.5years of training, then a skilled worker
How Ausbildung works
Earn while you learn.
You sign a training contract with a German company. Most weeks you spend three days there and two at vocational school (Berufsschule). At the end you pass the final exam with the IHK or HWK chamber and hold a qualification recognised across Germany.Three days in the company, two at vocational school, paid every month.
MonCompany
TueCompany
WedSchool
ThuCompany
FriSchool
In the companyAt vocational schoolTypical week, it varies by field
Average pay by training year
Start at €1,117, then step up every year.
€1,117
€1,201
€1,297
€1,339
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4
Average collectively agreed pay in 2025, gross per month (BIBB). It depends on the field and the company. The legal minimum for contracts starting in 2026 is €724.
Popular fields
Pick the trade that fits you.
Germany has more than 300 recognised training occupations. These are the ones our applicants choose most, because companies are hiring.
3.5 yearsStart: €979
Electrician
Energy and building technology, installations, solar and smart systems.
3.5 yearsStart: €1,090
Automotive & mechatronics
Vehicles, machines and production lines in workshops and industry.
3 yearsStart: €1,490
Nursing care
Hospitals, care homes and home care. Strong demand and pay well above average.
2–3 yearsStart: €1,079
Construction trades
Bricklayer, carpenter, plumbing and heating, scaffolding and road building.
3 yearsStart: from €1,161
IT & office
IT specialist, office management and industrial clerk.
3 yearsStart: €1,023
Medical assistant
Patient care, organisation and lab work in medical practices.
2–3 yearsStart: €1,171
Logistics
Warehouse logistics, freight forwarding and professional driving.
Start: average pay per month in the 1st training year, 2025 (BIBB). Nursing: public sector pay scale (TVAöD Pflege) from May 2026. IT & office: office management to IT specialist.
Your path
Six steps from your first lesson to your first day.
A typical path takes about a year, depending on your German level when you start.
- 1Month 0
Profile
School certificate, CV and the field that suits you.
- 2Months 1 to 9
German to B1
Course at home or on a language visa, with a recognised exam.
- 3In parallel
Matching
Applications and video interviews with training companies.
- 4Contract
Training contract
Signed contract and approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
- 5§ 16a
Visa
Embassy appointment, file check and interview preparation.
- 6Start
First day
Registration, bank, insurance, housing, and you start work.
Step 2 is the big one
German is your key.
We plan your course and exam up to B1, so companies and the embassy see a certificate they trust. Most of our applicants need four to nine months.
Visa
Two ways in.
Already have a contract? Use § 16a. Want to find your training place on site? The § 17 search visa gives you up to nine months.Contract signed? § 16a. Searching on site? § 17.
§ 16aNational visa (D)For the length of training
Ausbildung visa
- Signed training contract with a German company
- German, usually B1
- Training pay that covers living costs, otherwise a blocked account or declaration of commitment
- Approval of the Federal Employment Agency, arranged by the company
Documents: valid passport, training contract, German certificate, school certificates with translations, CV and health insurance.
§ 17National visa (D)Up to 9 months
Visa to search for a training place
- Age 35 or younger
- German B1
- School-leaving certificate that qualifies for higher education in Germany or abroad
- Proof of funds for the whole stay
Trial work and part-time jobs are allowed while you search. Once you sign a contract, you switch to the § 16a residence permit.
What we do for you
One team in Germany, every step.
- Field choice that matches your school background
- German course and exam plan up to B1
- German CV, cover letter and interview training
- Applications to training companies and interview scheduling
- Visa file, translations, embassy appointment
- Arrival: registration, bank, insurance, housing help
FAQ
Good questions.
The things applicants ask us most. Something else? Message us on WhatsApp.
Do I get paid during Ausbildung?
Yes, every month. In 2025 the average starting pay in companies with collective agreements was €1,117 a month in year one, rising to €1,339 in year four. Nursing starts higher, at about €1,490. The legal minimum for contracts starting in 2026 is €724.
How good must my German be?
Most companies and vocational schools expect B1. For the search visa B1 is required. We plan your course and exam with you.
Is there an age limit?
Not for the Ausbildung visa itself. The visa to search for a training place is for applicants up to 35.
Can I work alongside my training?
Yes, a side job of up to 20 hours a week is allowed during Ausbildung.
What happens after I finish?
With your German qualification you can stay and work as a skilled worker. You can also get up to 12 months to find a job in your field.
What if my pay is below the living costs?
The embassy checks that your living costs are covered. If the training pay is lower, a blocked account or a formal declaration of commitment covers the difference.
Do you decide on my visa?
No. Only the German embassy or consulate and the immigration office decide. We prepare a complete, well organised file so your application has the best start.
Ausbildung in Germany
Your partner for vocational training in Germany.
About us
Who we are
We help motivated young people from abroad into a German Ausbildung, with honest advice and complete paperwork. Our company details are in the imprint.
- Based in GermanyOur team works from the Ruhr area and knows German companies, schools and authorities first hand.
- Fixed written pricesYou know the full cost before we start. Official fees are listed separately.
- One contact personOne person knows your file from the first message to your first day.
Apply
Take your first step today.
Tell us your school background and German level. We reply within two working days with your field, your timeline and a fixed written offer.Tell us your school and German level. We reply within two working days.
Next year, this could be your first day in Germany.
Emailinfo@ausbildungingermany.de