For Students
Ausbildung in Germany: combine training, salary and long term perspective
Ausbildung is Germany’s dual training system: you work in a real company, earn a monthly salary and study the theory at a vocational school at the same time. For many international applicants this is an attractive alternative to a classic university degree, especially if they want to enter the job market earlier, gain practical skills and have a clear path towards a long term residence permit.
StuWoLi helps you understand whether Ausbildung is realistic in your situation, which occupations make sense with your background and language level, and how to plan the application, visa and arrival timeline without losing one or two years on wrong decisions.
How it works
What Ausbildung in Germany actually means
In a dual Ausbildung you normally spend about half of your week working in a company and the other half in a vocational school. You sign a training contract, receive a fixed monthly training salary and follow a regulated curriculum that leads to a nationally recognised qualification. Many employers keep successful trainees as full employees after the program.
- Duration is usually between 2 and 3.5 years depending on the profession.
- You have a clear timetable, fixed holidays and protection through German labour law.
- After completion you can often specialise, study further or take on more responsibility.
Typical Ausbildung fields for international applicants include nursing and health care, IT, hotel and gastronomy, logistics, technical trades and commercial roles. Some require strong German from the beginning, others can be combined with language learning on the job.
Study or Ausbildung
Is Ausbildung the right path for you or should you go to university
Ausbildung is a good option if you want to work in a practical profession, do not want to spend many years only in theory, or if your school leaving certificate does not easily allow direct university admission. It can also be a realistic route if your budget is limited and you need a monthly income to cover your living costs.
If you clearly aim for academic careers, research or highly specialised fields like medicine, a university degree is usually the better path. Many students also choose a mixed route and start with an Ausbildung, then later do a bachelor degree on top of their qualification.
In a StuWoLi Plan session we analyse your goals, finances, grades and language situation and decide together which path fits you best, so you do not lose time switching back and forth later.
Step by step
How to plan your Ausbildung path with StuWoLi
Ausbildung applications are often less centralised than university applications. Companies recruit throughout the year, requirements differ and visa rules must fit to the exact training contract. The safest way is to follow a clear step by step plan.
- Clarify your starting point. We check your school or university certificates, age, current German level and financial situation. This helps us decide which professions are open to you and which are not realistic.
- Choose suitable professions and locations. Together we shortlist Ausbildung occupations that match your skills and long term plans. We also compare different regions in Germany in terms of demand, salary and cost of living.
- Prepare a strong CV and motivation. German employers expect a clear, structured CV and a short, direct motivation letter instead of long stories. We adapt your CV to German standards and position your international background as a strength.
- Apply to companies and schools. Depending on the profession, you either apply directly to companies that cooperate with vocational schools or via central platforms. We define a weekly application target and help you track responses.
- Signing the training contract and visa process. Once you receive an offer, we review the contract, explain key points and align it with the correct visa type. You will need proof of language skills, finances and often a blocked account or sponsor.
- Arrival and first months in Germany. We check housing options, registration steps and health insurance so that you can focus on your training instead of running from office to office in the first weeks.
You can either book a one time StuWoLi Plan session to design this roadmap or choose a StuWoLi Coach package where we support you from the first questions up to arrival and settling in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic requirements for Ausbildung in Germany
Most Ausbildung programs expect at least a completed school education that is comparable to German lower or upper secondary level, a minimum German level (often B1 or B2) and a clear motivation for the chosen profession. For regulated professions like nursing there are extra requirements on health, language and recognition of certificates.
In a StuWoLi Plan we check your exact certificates against German rules and explain which Ausbildung options are open to you and where you may need extra steps.
Which German language level do I need for Ausbildung
Many employers and vocational schools require at least B1 or B2 German at the start of Ausbildung, especially in customer facing or health related professions. For very technical or internal roles some companies may accept a lower level at the beginning if you can progress quickly alongside your training.
The safer your language level, the easier it will be to follow classes, pass exams and integrate into your team. During a StuWoLi Plan we align your language learning plan with realistic application and visa timelines.
How much salary can I expect during Ausbildung
Training salaries are usually lower than full time salaries, but they increase each year of Ausbildung. In many health care and technical professions you can expect a higher training salary compared to service or hospitality roles. The exact amount also depends on region and employer.
We always include a financial plan in the StuWoLi Plan or StuWoLi Coach process so that you understand whether the Ausbildung salary plus possible support is enough for your living costs in a specific city.
Can I stay in Germany after completing Ausbildung
Yes. In many cases you can stay in Germany and continue working in your profession after a successful Ausbildung. German residence law actively supports skilled workers who have completed a recognised vocational qualification in Germany and found a suitable job.
That is why it is important to choose a profession with long term demand and a realistic match to your skills. StuWoLi helps you think not only about the next two or three years, but also about your five to ten year perspective in Germany.
Can I switch from Ausbildung to university later
In many fields you can. After completing an Ausbildung and gaining some work experience you can apply for practice oriented bachelor programs or part time studies. Your vocational qualification and professional experience can make your application stronger and help you understand theory better.
In StuWoLi Plan sessions we often design a long term route that includes Ausbildung first and university later, especially for applicants who are not yet ready for direct academic study in German.
Do I apply first for Ausbildung or visa
In most cases you first need a concrete Ausbildung offer or training contract before the embassy can issue your visa. This means that your application strategy and your visa planning must fit together from the beginning.
StuWoLi helps you build a realistic timeline that includes language learning, applications, interviews, contract, visa appointment and arrival so that you do not miss important windows.
If you are unsure whether Ausbildung in Germany is realistic for you, start with a short conversation.