Citizeo Expand your global options
Pathway

Germany Vocational Training Visa

Germany Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you have a place on an eligible German company-based or school-based vocational program, known as Ausbildung, Section 16a may let you live there for the training. A separate Section 17 permit covers entering Germany to look for a training place.

Training place
A confirmed in-company or school-based vocational-training place in Germany
Language
Normally B1 German, unless the training provider has assessed the required level
Living costs in 2026
School-based training: €959 net monthly. In-company training: allowance of €1,048 gross or €822 net monthly; an accepted top-up can cover a shortfall

Summary

Germany offers residence for an accepted vocational training place, with the training contract and financial support at the center of the application. The applicant normally needs B1 German unless the provider has already assessed the required ability. Housing and insurance also form part of the file.

A person still looking for a training place follows a different route with its own age, education, language, and funding conditions. Permission based on a confirmed training contract should not be assumed to cover a move made only to search.

A confirmed training place and a search permit are different routes
  1. Identify whether a place is already secured Section 16a uses a specific training place; Section 17 has separate search requirements.
  2. Document language and financial support Prepare the training contract or search-route education evidence and accepted funding.
  3. Apply under the matching residence basis Use the responsible German mission’s instructions and plan any later status change separately.

A training-place search permit does not guarantee a place. Training is not immediate qualified employment.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

For a confirmed vocational-training place, you generally need:

For the training-place search permit, you generally need:

All financial figures are date-sensitive and should be checked before filing.

What This Route Allows

A Section 16a permit allows the approved vocational program for its duration. The holder may take separate secondary employment for up to 20 hours per week. Qualified in-company trainees may also attend a preparatory German course.

After successful qualified vocational training, Section 20 can allow up to 18 months to look for qualified employment, with gainful activity permitted during the search. A suitable job can then support a skilled-worker or another employment title.

The Section 17 search permit allows up to nine months in Germany to find a training place, work up to 20 hours per week, and complete trial work for up to two weeks in total under the legal rule.

What This Route Is Not

This is not university study and is not immediate qualified employment in the occupation. The primary purpose is training.

A training-place search permit is not a promise that a place will be found or that the person may remain after the search period. Once a place is found, the person must obtain the proper training title.

Neither route is permanent residence by itself. A later job-search route, work, and settlement steps have separate requirements.

Next Steps

  1. Decide whether you already have a confirmed training place or need the separate search permit.
  2. Obtain the training contract or, for the search route, prove the qualifying school certificate.
  3. Prepare accepted B1 evidence unless the training provider has formally assessed the required language level.
  4. Recheck the current funding figures and document any training allowance, blocked account, scholarship, or declaration of commitment.
  5. Apply through the responsible German mission or the Consular Services Portal where available.
  6. Before training ends, plan the Section 20 job-search or the qualifying employment application.

Stay up to date on this pathway

Get an email when something important changes.

No account needed. Unsubscribe anytime.

Similar study pathways in other destinations.

Sources