Coming to Germany for vocational training , Date: 2024.03.01, format: Article, area: Migration and residence

It is possible for you to come to Germany and learn an occupation here. Two forms of training are available:

• school-based vocational training: takes place solely at a technical college, vocational school or vocational college;
• in-company basic and further training: takes place alternately at a vocational school and in a company (known as "Dual Training").

Whilst you will be remunerated for in-company training, the amount varies according to the occupation that you have learned. You will not generally receive any pay for school-based vocational training. In addition to your training, you may pursue paid employment for up to ten hours per week.

If you wish to apply for a trainee position in Germany, your knowledge of German will be very important - German is spoken at companies, vocational schools and technical colleges. The examinations also take place in German. You will find an overview of the opportunities available for learning German on the website of the Goethe-Institut.

You wish to look for a trainee position in Germany

If you didn’t find a trainee position before entering Germany, you have the opportunity to come to Germany for up to nine months to look for an apprenticeship.

For this, the following conditions need to be met:

1. You have not yet reached the age of 35.
2. Proof that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay in Germany.
3. Proof of qualification from a German school abroad or a school leaving certificate that entitles you to attend university (the Working and Living in Germany hotline provides more detailed information on this).
4. Proof of sufficient German language skills. This corresponds to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

A residence title to look for a training place allows you as a matter of principle to work for up to 20 hours per week, and to work for a trial period of up to two weeks in total.

You wish to take up a trainee position in Germany

If you have already found a training place before coming to Germany, you can be issued with a residence title for vocational training. The following conditions must be fulfilled for this:

1. proof of a concrete trainee position documented by a training contract with the company hosting the training,
2. proof of sufficient knowledge of German, or of adequate knowledge of German in the case of qualified vocational training (training in a state-recognised training profession or in a training profession that is subject to comparable regulations with training lasting at least two years), and
3. proof that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay in Germany.

For in-company basic and further training, the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is also required.

When concluding a training contract, the company hosting the training examines whether you are suited to the training that is to be provided. The company for instance examines your school-leaving qualification in this context.

If you have a training place for qualified vocational training, you have the possibility of first attending a preparatory German course in Germany. You can apply from abroad to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees for the participation entitlement.

Alongside your training, you may work for up to 20 hours per week.

After successful completion of your vocational training

Once you have successfully completed your training in Germany, you can then apply for a residence permit valid for up to 18 months for job-seeking for any qualified employment.

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