Internship Before Ausbildung: EQ Guide

October 31, 2026 T. Ausbildung Corner

Short answer: An internship before Ausbildung, officially called Einstiegsqualifizierung (EQ), is a paid company internship of 4 to 12 months. It helps you show your skills and prepares you for a recognised training occupation. It is meant for applicants who still have no training place. Many trainees continue in the same company.

If you have applied for an Ausbildung and received only rejections, the EQ can be a second route in. This guide explains how the internship works, who can take part, what the company and the state pay, and what you should ask before you sign. It is general information, not legal advice, and visa or residence questions are outside this site. If you are still searching for a place, start with our guide to where to find Ausbildung openings.

Table of Contents

What is an internship before Ausbildung (EQ)?

The EQ is a long-term internship in a company. German law (§ 54a SGB III) describes its aim as teaching and deepening the basics needed for an occupation. It must prepare for a recognised training occupation, and it runs on a written contract between you and the company. You do real work in the company, and at the end you get a certificate from the competent body (usually the chamber) and a reference from the company.

EQ at a glance

Point	What the sources say
Length	4 to 12 months for state funding (the minimum was cut from 6 to 4 months on 1 April 2024).
Working time	Full-time or at least 20 hours a week. A language course can reduce the company share to 50 percent, according to the DIHK.
Who it is for	Registered applicants who still have no training place, who are not yet fully ready for training, or who have learning difficulties or social disadvantages.
Age limit	None. The under-25 limit was removed on 1 June 2024.
Your pay	Agreed with the company. The statutory minimum wage does not apply to EQ, according to IHK Düsseldorf.
What the state pays	The company gets a subsidy of up to 276 euros a month for your pay, plus a flat share of social insurance.
At the end	A chamber certificate and a company reference. The time can often be credited to a later Ausbildung.

Check the figures with the agency before you rely on them. The subsidy goes to the company, not to you, so your pay is whatever you agree in the contract.

Who can take part?

The law lists three groups. All of them must be registered applicants with the Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit):

applicants with limited chances who still have no training place after the nationwide follow-up placement campaigns,
applicants who are not yet fully ready for training,
applicants with learning difficulties or social disadvantages.

Funding is excluded in some cases. You cannot be funded for a second EQ in the same company or group. It is also excluded if you worked in the company group in the last three years, or if the internship is in a business owned by your spouse, partner or parent. An exception exists if an earlier training contract with the company ended early. The agency decides each case, so ask your advisor.

Why the EQ can help you get an Ausbildung

Companies sometimes hesitate when a CV or German level is weak. An EQ lets them see how you work before they offer a contract. IHK Düsseldorf reports that nearly two-thirds of its EQ participants were taken on for training by the same company, and the DIHK says the transition rate is above 60 percent. Neither page states a year, so treat this as a sign, not a promise. An EQ does not guarantee a training place, and the company is not obliged to hire you.

How to get an EQ: 5 steps

Register with the Berufsberatung. The law ties EQ to registered applicants. Free number for young people: 0800 4 5555 00.
Tell your advisor you want an EQ. Ask whether you fit the groups above and which occupations suit you.
Find a company. The EQ is a contract between you and the company, and the chamber registers it. Use the same sources as for an Ausbildung search, and ask directly: “Do you offer an EQ for this occupation?”
Check the contract. It should name the occupation, the length, the working time, your pay and the training content. Our contract guide shows what to look for.
Ask for the plan to continue. Ask if the company intends to offer an Ausbildung afterwards, and when it will decide.

Companies can apply for the subsidy through the Arbeitgeber-Service (free number 0800 4 5555 20). You can also ask the Berufsberatung about extra support during the internship, see our Ausbildung support guide.

Common mistakes

Starting without a written contract. The law requires one, and it must be reported to the competent body.
Assuming the EQ is a guaranteed Ausbildung. It is a trial, not a promise.
Not registering first. Without registration as an applicant, state funding for the company is not available.
Skipping the school question. IHK Düsseldorf says under-18s there must attend a Berufskolleg alongside the EQ. Rules vary by state, so ask your advisor.
Ignoring the end date. Agree early when the company will say whether it offers a training place. See our application guide for timing.

Frequently asked questions

Is an EQ the same as an Ausbildung?

No. The EQ is a preparation internship of 4 to 12 months. An Ausbildung is a full training contract, usually 2 to 3.5 years. The EQ time can often be credited if you continue.

Do I get paid during an EQ?

Yes, the pay is part of the contract with the company. The state subsidy goes to the company. The amount is agreed with the company, and the minimum wage does not apply.

Is there an age limit for EQ?

No. According to the DIHK, the under-25 limit was removed on 1 June 2024.

Can I do an EQ part-time?

The law funds EQ that is full-time or at least 20 hours a week. The DIHK says that alongside a language course the company share can be 50 percent. Ask the agency how this applies to you.

What happens after the EQ?

You get a chamber certificate and a company reference. If both sides are satisfied, a training contract often follows. If not, you can use the certificate and reference in your next application.

Sources

Last updated: 31 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.

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