Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Germany

Vocational education in Germany is built around the dual system. According to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), learning takes place at two venues, the company and the vocational school (Berufsschule), and around half of Germany's school leavers choose this route each year. Apprentices sign a training contract with a company, are paid a training allowance and finish with an examination held by the chambers.

For international students the picture is mixed. Most training places are jobs with a German employer, taught in German, while private academies also offer school-based courses and programmes for foreign students. SpainExchange currently lists one school in this category in Germany, the AIB - Akademie für Internationale Bildung in Bonn.

How vocational training works

Responsibility is shared. The Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code (HwO) govern training in the company, while teaching at vocational schools is regulated by the federal states. The main routes are:

• dual training (duale Ausbildung): 330 state-recognised training occupations, each with national training regulations; training lasts between two and three and a half years depending on the occupation
• school-based training at full-time vocational schools (Berufsfachschulen) and healthcare schools: the main route in fields such as nursing and therapy, usually three years, with work placements
• dual study programmes: courses at universities or vocational academies in cooperation with companies, leading to both an academic and a vocational qualification
• advanced vocational training at Fachschulen and through the federal titles Certified Specialist, Bachelor Professional and Master Professional

What an apprenticeship looks like

An apprentice usually spends three to four days a week in the company and one to two days at the vocational school, or attends school in blocks. One third of the school curriculum is general content (mathematics, German, languages, sport) and two thirds relate to the occupation. A training regulation sets out the skills to be learned, and a company training plan shows when each stage is covered.

At the end, the chambers hold the final examination. Successful apprentices receive a chamber certificate, or a journeyman certificate in the craft trades, which documents a state-recognised occupation.

Admission and visas for international students

Formally, dual training only requires the end of full-time compulsory schooling; there are no further school requirements by law. In practice the key step is finding a company willing to sign a training contract. Full-time vocational schools normally set their own entry conditions.

Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland need only a valid ID card to enter Germany. Other applicants usually need a national visa. Under section 16a of the Residence Act:

• a residence permit for in-company training generally requires approval from the Federal Employment Agency
• a permit for school-based training is possible if the course leads to a state-recognised vocational qualification
• the permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week alongside the training
• applicants must prove sufficient German unless the school has tested it or a preparatory German course is part of the plan

People under 35 with a school-leaving certificate, sufficient German and secure funding can also get a residence permit of up to nine months to look for a training place (section 17). Visa applications for vocational training can be made online through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal. Holders of a foreign vocational qualification can check recognition on the federal Recognition Portal (Anerkennung in Deutschland).

Costs and funding

Dual training is not a fee-paying course: the company bears the cost of in-company training and pays the apprentice. BIBB states that the training allowance is set by collective agreement, rises each year and averages about a third of the starting pay of a qualified worker. School-based training is different: trainees usually receive no allowance, and private vocational schools often charge fees. Private academies set their own prices, so check what is included before enrolling.

How to choose

• Qualification: a state-recognised occupation or chamber certificate is not the same as a private school's own certificate
• Language: almost all dual training and vocational school teaching is in German, so plan the language level first
• Route: dual training (paid, company-based) or school-based training (classroom-based, often with fees)
• Residence: check whether the course qualifies for a residence permit under section 16a before paying a deposit
• Location: training places are spread across the country, so consider the region's employers as well as the city

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners do an apprenticeship in Germany?

Yes. EU citizens can apply like Germans. Others need a residence permit for vocational training, which for company-based training generally requires approval from the Federal Employment Agency and proof of sufficient German.

How long does vocational training in Germany take?

Dual training lasts between two and three and a half years depending on the occupation. School-based training in health occupations usually lasts three years.

Do apprentices in Germany get paid?

Yes. In dual training the employer pays a training allowance that rises each year. In school-based training there is usually no allowance, and private schools may charge fees.

Can I work while doing vocational training in Germany?

A residence permit for vocational training allows work of up to 20 hours a week in addition to the training.