Ausbildung from Abroad: First Steps

October 29, 2026 T. Ausbildung Corner

Short answer: Start by choosing an occupation, building the German you need, and checking that your school certificate will be recognised. Then apply directly to several companies, usually about a year before the start, and compare the contract before you sign. Check the official pages for entry and residence rules, which this site does not cover. Never pay for a place.

This guide is for people who want to start an Ausbildung in Germany and are still outside the country or new to the system. It follows the roadmap the Federal Employment Agency (BA) publishes for people from abroad, and adds timing, a checklist and the warning signs of false promises. It is general information, not legal or migration advice, and nobody here sells you anything.

Is an Ausbildung right for you?

The BA says an Ausbildung is meant for people who have no work experience yet or who want to learn a new occupation. It adds that in Germany, an Ausbildung is mainly done by young people after school. If you already work in an occupation, you can also search directly for a job. If you want a degree, compare it with university study and dual study.

You learn at a company and at a vocational school. The training lasts between 2 and 3.5 years and ends with a final exam, according to the BA.
You are paid during the training. The pay rises each year and depends on the occupation.
Lessons at the vocational school are in German, so you need good German.

The seven first steps

Step 1: Choose an occupation

The BA says Germany has over 300 training occupations. Choose one that fits your interests and abilities. If you can, do an internship in your home country first, which also shows employers your interest. Make it in Germany lists occupations that are currently in demand, and the BA offers free career advice. Our profession guides explain what each training involves, from IT specialist to nursing.

Step 2: Build your German

Because lessons at the vocational school are in German, you need good German. A Rhineland-Palatinate government portal adds that the training and the final exam are held in German. The BA advises you to start improving your German in your home country, because it raises your chances. See our guide to the German level for Ausbildung for the levels and how to prepare.

Step 3: Check your school certificate

The BA says that you must have your school certificate recognised in Germany and show proof to the vocational school. It costs money. The anabin database lists recognition and advice offices, in German. Ask the employer and the vocational school which proof they need before you pay for anything.

Step 4: Prepare your application

Employers expect a CV, a cover letter and copies of your certificates. Make it in Germany advises you to find out whether the application can be in English or must be in German. Ask each employer which documents and translations it wants. Our guides cover the full application process, the CV and the cover letter.

Step 5: Find openings and apply

You apply directly to companies. The BA gives these tips to improve your chances:

Apply to several companies at the same time.
Send individual applications and learn about each company first.
Be flexible about the region and search in different cities and states.

Our guide on where to find Ausbildung openings lists the official boards. The BA offers free help with finding companies and preparing documents. All BA services are free.

Step 6: Interview and contract

Prepare for the interview, which may be by video, and read the training contract carefully before you agree. It must state your pay, hours, holiday, probation and termination rules. Our guides explain the interview questions and the contract.

Step 7: Check the official entry and residence rules

The BA says people from outside the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland generally need a visa for an Ausbildung. We do not cover these rules, because they change and a wrong detail can cost you time or money. Read the official Make it in Germany page on the visa for vocational training (in German), and ask the German mission in your country about your own case.

A realistic timeline

When	What to do
18 to 12 months before the start	Choose occupations, start or continue your German, check which proof of your school certificate you need, and build your CV
12 to 9 months before	Apply to several employers and keep a list of dates, contacts and replies
9 to 6 months before	Interviews, tests and decisions. Compare offers and read the contract
After an offer	Check the official entry and residence pages and plan the move
Start	Usually August or September, depending on the employer

Make it in Germany says application phases usually start 12 to 18 months before the start, with training starting in August or September. A Rhineland-Palatinate portal says half a year to a year, depending on the company. The BA says starts are fixed in autumn or spring and depend on occupation and region. Check each employer’s own dates.

Claims you should not trust

Many websites sell Ausbildung “packages”. Be careful when you see:

A guaranteed place or a guaranteed visa.
A promise that you will be in Germany within a fixed number of months.
A fee for a training place. The law makes agreements that charge trainees for training void.
Salary or “success rate” figures with no named source.
Pressure to pay quickly, or requests for your original documents.

Read our guide to Ausbildung scams before you pay anyone, and remember that BA services are free.

What to budget for

We do not print cost figures, because they differ by country, city and provider. Plan for these types of costs and ask for written prices before you pay:

German courses and exams.
Recognition of your school certificate, which the BA says costs money.
Translations, copies and postage for applications.
Travel and your first living costs. The BA says your training pay often does not cover everything, so you need savings.

Where to get free official help

Federal Employment Agency (BA). Free advice on occupations, companies and documents.
Make it in Germany. The government’s portal, with a job board and guides on applying.
The chambers (IHK and HWK). Their training advisers help companies and trainees.
Your own checklist. Use the step-by-step list below.

Your checklist, step by step

Pick two or three occupations and read about them.
Start German lessons and set a date for a language test.
Find out which proof of your school certificate employers and schools need.
Write your CV and a base cover letter.
Search official boards and apply to several employers about a year ahead.
Prepare for interviews and read every contract.
Check the official pages on entry and residence.
Never pay for a place, and keep copies of everything.

Common mistakes

Waiting until you have perfect German. Start applying about a year ahead and keep improving.
Applying to only one or two companies.
Sending the same application to everyone.
Paying a stranger before checking the employer.
Relying on a website’s timeline or salary figures. Check the employer and the official pages.
Ignoring the certificate recognition step. It can take time and cost money.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners do an Ausbildung in Germany?

Yes. The BA publishes a roadmap for people from abroad. What you need to enter and stay depends on your situation, so check the official pages.

Do I need to speak German?

Yes, good German. School lessons are in German, and the final exam is held in German according to a state government portal.

How early should I apply?

Often about a year ahead. Official portals give ranges from half a year to 18 months, depending on the company, so start early and check each employer.

Can I apply in English?

Sometimes. Make it in Germany advises you to find out before you write whether the application can be in English or must be in German.

Do I need to pay for an Ausbildung place?

No. Real employers do not charge applicants, and the BA’s services are free. If anyone asks for money, stop and read our scam guide.

Is there an age limit?

We found no general limit in the sources we used. The BA notes that an Ausbildung is mainly done by young people after school, so check each employer’s requirements and consider job-seeking if you already have experience.

Sources

Last updated: 29 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.

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