Ausbildung Requirements Guide

For in-company (dual) training, the employer decides which school certificate it needs. The training visa law (Residence Act § 16a) names no school certificate. For school-based training, the school and the federal state set the admission rules. Nursing training has a legal minimum, met by one of three routes. Route one: a Mittlerer Schulabschluss or a recognised equivalent. Route two: a Hauptschulabschluss or equivalent, plus either at least two years of completed vocational training or a qualifying nursing assistant training of at least one year. Route three: another completed ten-year general school education. Subject requirements vary by sector.

German language proficiency is essential for Ausbildung, as both workplace training and vocational school are conducted in German. See which German level you need and how to prepare.

Start with the B1 exam guide on Sprachpass (opens in a new tab). If your program asks for B2, use the B2 exam guide (opens in a new tab).

The training visa law for Ausbildung, Residence Act (AufenthG) § 16a, sets no age limit. One route has a limit: the permit to come to Germany and search for a training place, Residence Act (AufenthG) § 17, is only for people under 35.

Once you've secured an Ausbildung contract, you'll need to apply for the German National Visa (D-visa) for vocational training. Read our Ausbildung visa guide for the steps.

You'll need to demonstrate that you can support yourself during the initial phase of your training in Germany.

Prepare these documents for both your Ausbildung application and subsequent visa application.