At a glance

These are the facts most readers look for first. Each one is explained in detail further down.

Point	What to know
German level	B1 in most cases for qualified vocational training, according to the Make it in Germany portal. Nursing training needs B1 or B2 depending on the federal state.
Two visas	A visa for vocational training (you already have a training place) and a visa for seeking a vocational training place (you do not yet).
Age limit	Under 35 for the visa to look for a training place.
School certificate	For the seeking-a-place visa: a school-leaving certificate that gives access to higher education.
Money to show, 2026	In-company training: pay of at least €1,048 gross or €822 net a month. School-based: €959 net a month. Seeking a place: €1,091 a month in a blocked account.
Approval	For in-company training, the Federal Employment Agency may need to approve the job. Your employer handles that.
Side job	Up to 20 hours a week, if it is independent of your training.
After training	Up to 18 months to look for qualified work. A settlement permit is possible after two years of work if other requirements are met.
Yastudy course	A1 to B1 in about 13 weeks: 190 hours live, ₹29,500 as a combo.

What Ausbildung is

Ausbildung is the German word for vocational training. Instead of starting at a university, a trainee (an Auszubildende, or Azubi for short) learns a profession in a structured programme that ends with a recognised qualification. The official Make it in Germany portal describes two options: in-company training and school-based training.

In-company training. You work and learn at a company, usually alongside classes at a vocational school (Berufsschule). You receive a training allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung) from the employer.
School-based training. You study mainly at a vocational school, with practical placements. Many health and care professions are trained this way.

Both are taught in German: at work, at vocational school and in the final exam. That is why the German requirement is not a formality. It is the foundation of the whole programme.

Is Ausbildung right for you?

Ausbildung is not a second-best option to a university degree. It is a different route with its own strengths. Use this comparison to decide before you invest months of study.

Ausbildung may suit you if	Look at a degree instead if
You want to learn a practical profession and, in company-based training, be paid while you learn.	You want an academic or research career, or a profession that needs a university degree.
You can reach B1 German within a few months and keep improving during training.	You prefer a programme taught in English. Some master's programmes in Germany are.
You want a clear path from training to a qualified job in Germany.	You are over 35 and cannot use the visa for seeking a training place, or you already hold a degree you want to build on.
You are comfortable working in German every day, with colleagues and customers.	You want the widest choice of cities and subjects before you commit to one profession.

If you are unsure, read our study abroad page and talk to us before you decide. The German you learn for either route is the same, so starting with A1 is never wasted.

Which German level you need for Ausbildung

The short answer is B1. The Make it in Germany portal says you will normally need German at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for qualified vocational training. German Missions' visa information sheets use the same wording and add that for other training the level is, as a rule, at least A2.

Situation	German level	Where this comes from
Visa for qualified vocational training	Normally B1	Make it in Germany; German Missions' information sheets
Other vocational training	As a rule at least A2	German Missions' information sheets (several missions)
Visa for seeking a training place	B1, with proof	Make it in Germany
Nursing training (Pflegefachfrau/-mann)	B1 or B2, depending on the state	Make it in Germany for employers
You are below the required level	A language course first	The sheets say you can do a language course before training, and list proof of registration for a preparatory intensive course

Read B1 as the visa threshold, not as a comfortable level for vocational school. Trainees who arrive at B1 still have to follow technical lessons and write reports in German, so keep studying during your training. The official portal even allows a preparatory German course alongside qualified in-company training. See our B1 course page, and our telc exam guide for the exam itself.

Read this first. This page is general information from official sources, not legal or immigration advice. Visa rules, fees and amounts change, and each employer, school and German Mission has its own checklist. Confirm your own case with the mission that handles your application and with your training employer or school.

The two visas for Ausbildung

Visa for vocational training (you have a training place)

This is a residence title under Section 16a of the Residence Act. The official requirements are:

A specific training place in Germany, in-company or school-based.
German language skills, normally at level B1. The portal says this applies if the training institution has not yet tested your German or you have not yet completed a preparatory German course.
Proof that you can cover your living costs for the whole stay (see the money section below).

For in-company training, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) may need to approve the job, for example to check that you are employed under the same conditions as German trainees. This is an internal procedure that does not need action from you. German Missions' sheets add that employers can apply for the authorisation directly from the BA by presenting the training contract, and that visa applications are approved by the competent foreigners authority or the BA.

What you get. A residence permit for the duration of your training, and the right to a second job of up to 20 hours a week if it is independent of your training. With qualified in-company training, the permit also allows you to attend a preparatory German course in Germany.

Visa for seeking a vocational training place (no place yet)

This visa, under Section 17(1) of the Residence Act, lets you come to Germany and look for a training place. The official requirements are:

a school-leaving certificate that gives access to higher education, or a qualification from a German school abroad;
German at level B1, with proof;
being under the age of 35;
proof of living costs, shown with a blocked bank account of at least €1,091 a month (2026) or a declaration of commitment.

You may stay for up to nine months to apply for training. During that time you can work up to 20 hours a week, and you can complete up to two weeks of trial work. Both visas are applied for online on the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal.

Documents missions commonly list

Checklists differ by mission, so follow the one of the mission that handles your application. Several missions list:

a valid passport, passport photographs and the completed application form;
the training contract in German, signed by the employer and the trainee, and the training plan;
proof of German at B1 (or, for other training, usually at least A2), or proof of registration for a preparatory intensive language course;
proof of health insurance, and a CV in German or English;
the employer's declaration to the Federal Employment Agency, where required, and the visa fee, listed as €75 in the sheets we read.

Documents that are not in German or English need a certified German translation.

Money: what you must show in 2026

Every visa asks you to prove that you can pay your living costs. The official figures for 2026 depend on the type of training.

Route	What the official portal asks
In-company training	A training allowance of at least €1,048 gross or €822 net a month counts as proof. If your pay is lower, you can cover the difference with a blocked account or a declaration of commitment.
School-based training	At least €959 net a month, shown with a blocked account, a declaration of commitment or a scholarship.
Seeking a training place	A blocked account with at least €1,091 a month, or a declaration of commitment.

These are visa minimums, not a budget. Rent, food and transport depend on the city you train in. For in-company training your employer pays the training allowance, and the amount depends on the profession and the employer.

How to find a training place from India

Choose a profession. The official portal lists vocational training profiles at a glance. Read the German requirement for the profession, not only the job title.
Start German now. Employers want proof of your level, and B1 is the visa threshold. Our live classes take you from zero to B1 in about 13 weeks.
Prepare a German CV and cover letter (Lebenslauf and Anschreiben). Keep them short and accurate.
Search official listings. The Make it in Germany job listings and the Federal Employment Agency are official sources. Check the employer's name and website before you reply to anyone.
Interview and contract. A training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) is signed with the employer or school and is in German.
Visa. Apply for the visa for vocational training. If you cannot find a place from India, the visa for seeking a place is an option if you meet its conditions.

Example professions in Ausbildung

There are hundreds of training professions in Germany. These examples show the range. The list is not a recommendation, and availability depends on the region and the employer. The Make it in Germany portal has a page with vocational training profiles at a glance, and the Federal Employment Agency lists current openings.

Profession (German title)	What it is	Usual training type
Pflegefachfrau / Pflegefachmann	Nurse, caring for people of all ages in hospitals, care homes and home care	School-based, with practical placements. B1 or B2 by state.
Fachinformatiker/in	IT specialist, for example in application development or system integration	In-company
Mechatroniker/in	Combines mechanics, electronics and control technology	In-company
Elektroniker/in	Electrician, in different specialities	In-company
Anlagenmechaniker/in für Sanitär-, Heizungs- und Klimatechnik	Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems	In-company
Kfz-Mechatroniker/in	Car mechatronics, repairing and maintaining vehicles	In-company
Koch / Köchin	Cook in restaurants, hotels and canteens	In-company
Hotelfachmann / Hotelfachfrau	Hotel specialist, working in reception, service and housekeeping	In-company
Kaufmann / Kauffrau für Büromanagement	Office management and administration	In-company
Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik	Warehouse and logistics specialist	In-company

Before you apply, read three things for each profession: the German level the employer expects, the entry requirements (such as a school certificate), and whether the training is in-company or school-based, because that changes the money rule in the table above.

From today to your first day of training: a realistic timeline

Stage	What happens	How long
1. German to B1	Live classes, 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday, plus daily practice	About 13 weeks with Yastudy
2. Exam and result	Book the B1 exam at a licensed centre and wait for the result	Centres commonly say four to six weeks for results
3. Profession and documents	Choose professions, prepare CV, certificates and certified translations	Start during stage 1
4. Applications and interviews	Apply to employers or schools, interview, receive a training contract	Weeks to months, depending on employers
5. Approval and visa	Federal Employment Agency approval where needed, then the visa application	Varies by mission and case. Ask your mission.
6. Move and start	Travel, register your address, begin training	As agreed in the training contract

Many training years start in late summer, often in August or September, so employers recruit many months earlier. Ask each employer about its start dates, and plan your German so that you hold your B1 certificate before the applications that matter most to you.

Applying: CV, cover letter and interview

Your CV (Lebenslauf)

Keep it to one or two pages, in reverse order (latest first), with clear headings: personal details, school education, any work or practical experience, languages, and skills. In the languages section, write your certificate honestly, for example “German: B1 (certificate, exam date)”, and say “A2, learning B1” if that is true. A German employer reads many applications, so accuracy and clean formatting help more than decoration.

Your cover letter (Anschreiben)

One page. Say why you want this profession, what you have done that relates to it, and why you want to train in Germany. Name the employer and the exact training position. Here is a simple opening, with the polite German salutation:

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

hiermit bewerbe ich mich um eine Ausbildung zum Mechatroniker in Ihrem Unternehmen. Ich komme aus Indien und lerne seit mehreren Monaten intensiv Deutsch.

Dear Sir or Madam, I am applying for training as a mechatronics technician at your company. I come from India and have been studying German intensively for several months.

Interview questions to practise

German question	Meaning	Start your answer like this
Stellen Sie sich bitte kurz vor.	Please introduce yourself briefly.	Mein Name ist … Ich komme aus …
Warum möchten Sie diese Ausbildung machen?	Why do you want this training?	Ich interessiere mich für …, weil …
Warum möchten Sie in Deutschland arbeiten?	Why do you want to work in Germany?	Ich möchte in Deutschland lernen, weil …
Was wissen Sie über unser Unternehmen?	What do you know about our company?	Ich habe gelesen, dass Sie …
Welche Stärken haben Sie?	What are your strengths?	Ich bin zuverlässig und lerne schnell.
Wie gut ist Ihr Deutsch?	How good is your German?	Ich habe das Zertifikat B1 und lerne weiter.
Wann können Sie anfangen?	When can you start?	Ich kann ab … anfangen.
Haben Sie noch Fragen?	Do you have any questions?	Ja, wie sieht ein normaler Arbeitstag aus?

Practise out loud with another learner. In our live classes you speak in every lesson, so you can rehearse these answers with a trainer correcting you.

Your German plan: zero to B1 in about 13 weeks

Yastudy's intensive course gives 3 hours of live class a day, Monday to Friday, plus about 2 hours of your own practice. On that pace, A1 to B1 runs to about 13 weeks and 190 class hours.

Level	Live class hours	Time	Done by	What it gives you
German A1	40	about 3 weeks	Week 3	Everyday basics. Enough for many spouse-visa certificates.
German A2	50	about 3½ weeks	Week 6	Simple, routine communication. The usual minimum for other training.
German B1	100	about 7 weeks	Week 13	The visa threshold for qualified vocational training.

Weeks assume 3 hours of class a day, Monday to Friday, full attendance and daily practice. Exam dates depend on exam-centre availability.

After the B1 certificate, keep going. If you plan nursing training, some states ask for B2. Our B2 course takes you there in 8 more weeks. For the right certificate and how to book the exam, read our telc exam guide, and ask the mission and the employer which providers they accept. For Goethe's fees, see Goethe exam fees in India, and to time your exam, see how long a Goethe certificate is valid.

It will not suit you if you can only study on weekends. The course is built for students who can give about 5 hours a day for a few months. Every class is recorded, but the pace only works with regular attendance.

German words you will meet in Ausbildung

German	English
die Ausbildung	vocational training
der/die Auszubildende (Azubi)	trainee
der Ausbildungsvertrag	training contract
der Ausbildungsbetrieb	training company
die Berufsschule	vocational school
die Ausbildungsvergütung	training allowance (pay)
der Ausbildungsplan	training plan
die Probezeit	probationary period
die Zwischenprüfung	intermediate exam
die Abschlussprüfung	final exam
die Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK)	Chamber of Industry and Commerce
die Handwerkskammer	Chamber of Crafts
die Bewerbung	job application
der Lebenslauf	CV
das Anschreiben	cover letter
das Vorstellungsgespräch	job interview
die Bundesagentur für Arbeit	Federal Employment Agency
die Ausländerbehörde	foreigners authority
die Aufenthaltserlaubnis	residence permit
das Visum	visa
die Krankenversicherung	health insurance
das Sperrkonto	blocked account
die Verpflichtungserklärung	declaration of commitment
die Fachkraft	skilled worker

Phrases for an interview

Ich möchte eine Ausbildung zur Pflegefachfrau machen.

I would like to train as a nurse. (Use zum for a man, for example zum Mechatroniker.)

Ich habe das Zertifikat B1.

I have the B1 certificate.

Wann beginnt die Ausbildung?

When does the training start?

Wie hoch ist die Ausbildungsvergütung?

How high is the training allowance?

Welche Unterlagen brauche ich?

Which documents do I need?

Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?

Could you repeat that, please?

Living as a trainee: insurance, address and daily costs

Health insurance. German Missions' sheets say health insurance is part of the visa file. They also note that statutory insurance can only begin when you take up residence in Germany and start your training, so if you enter Germany earlier you need private health insurance for that time.
Address and registration. After you move in, you register your address with the local authority. The official portal has a section on housing and registration.
Bank account. You will need a German bank account for your training allowance and rent. The official portal has a section on bank accounts.
Rent and daily costs. These vary greatly between cities. Compare your expected training allowance with the rent in the city before you accept an offer.
Holidays and language. Daily life, from the doctor to the landlord, is in German. Your B1 is the start of that, not the end.

After the Ausbildung

Looking for work. After you complete qualified vocational training, you can stay up to 18 months to find qualified employment, with a job-seeking residence permit from the foreigners authority.
After care-assistant training. Completing vocational training as an assistant or helper in a health or care profession can give a permit of up to 12 months to look for work, extendable once by six months.
Settlement permit. After vocational training in Germany and two years of work in the country, a settlement permit is possible if you meet the additional requirements.

Ausbildung or a degree in Germany?

Question	Ausbildung	Degree
German level for the visa	Normally B1	Usually C1 for a German-taught degree. Some master's programmes are taught in English.
How you fund it	In-company training pays an allowance, and the visa money rule is lower than the seeking-a-place figure	A blocked account or other proof of funds, as the university visa requires
Learning style	Practical, in a company or school	Academic, at a university
Work rights	Second job up to 20 hours a week if independent of training	Check the student visa rules
After you finish	Up to 18 months to look for qualified work	Check the post-study permit rules

Both routes can lead to work in Germany. Choose the one that fits your goals, your finances and the German level you can reach in the time you have. We can explain both routes on a call.

Ausbildung agents and scams

Many people look for Ausbildung from India, and that attracts agents who promise too much. Protect yourself:

Nobody can guarantee a training contract or a visa. Employers and the authorities decide.
A real training contract is with a German employer or school and is in German. For in-company training the Federal Employment Agency may approve it.
Be careful with large upfront fees for a “guaranteed Ausbildung”. Ask for every promise in writing and check the employer's name and website.
Use official listings such as the Make it in Germany job listings and the Federal Employment Agency.
Do not hand over original certificates to someone you cannot verify.
Yastudy is not a placement agency. We teach German and explain the routes. We do not sell training places.

Yastudy's German course for Ausbildung

Yastudy teaches intensive German online. Our classes are general German, A1 to B2, built around the Goethe and telc exam formats. They are not a course for a particular trade. They give you the German level that the visa and the employer ask for.

What you get

Live online classes, 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday
Batches of 10 to 12 students, with speaking practice in every class
Every class recorded, and doubt support on WhatsApp
A mock test every week
A Germany roadmap session plus admission or Ausbildung guidance with the A1 to B2 combo

Repeat the level if you do not clear the exam

If you do not clear your Goethe or telc exam, you repeat that level's batch without paying again. You need at least 80% attendance, and you must take the exam within 3 months of finishing the level.

Option	Class hours	Fee
Single levels	A1 40, A2 50, B1 100	A1 ₹14,000, A2 ₹16,000, B1 ₹20,000
Combo: A1 to B1 (from zero)	190	₹29,500 (against ₹50,000 level by level)
Combo: A2 to B1 (you hold A1)	150	₹23,500
Combo: A1 to B2 (with guidance)	310	₹39,500

Our own exam fee is not included: you pay the exam fee to the exam centre. A ₹199 live demo class is credited against your fee if you enrol within 7 days. See the fees section of the main page.

Reach B1 in about 13 weeks. Live classes, 3 hours a day from Monday to Friday, in a batch of 10 to 12. Enrol online or see the next batch.

See fees and enrol See batch timings

Common mistakes

Starting the search with no German. Employers and the visa both ask for proof of your level.
Aiming only at the minimum. B1 is the visa threshold. Vocational school is harder.
Choosing a profession from a video without reading its German and entry requirements.
Ignoring the money rules. Check the 2026 figures for your route.
Paying an agent for a “guaranteed” place. Nobody can guarantee it.
Booking the language exam without asking the mission and the employer which providers they accept.
Forgetting translations. Documents that are not in German or English need certified translations.
Waiting for the perfect moment. Start German and your profession research together.

Are you ready? A ten-point check

I know which profession (or two) I want to train in, and I read its requirements.
I know whether it is in-company or school-based training.
I can reach B1 German within the next few months, with a study plan.
I have chosen a certificate provider after asking the mission and the employer.
I understand the 2026 money figures for my route.
I have my school certificates and know which documents need certified translations.
I have a German CV and have practised a cover letter.
I have practised answering interview questions in German out loud.
I know the difference between a real training contract and an agent's promise.
I have a start date for my German classes.

Your next steps this week

Pick two professions that interest you and read their German requirements.
Check the 2026 money figures for your route, and ask your family how you would meet them.
Choose your exam provider after asking the mission and employer. See the telc guide and the Goethe A1 guide.
Book a live demo or watch a class, then choose your batch on the batch timings.
Not sure of your level? Message us on WhatsApp.
If your goal is nursing, also read German for nurses. If you are in Patna, Delhi, Noida or Bangalore, see Patna, Delhi, Noida or Bangalore. For wider options, see our study abroad page.

More German guides from Yastudy

Every guide below is written from checked sources and links to the others, so you can follow your goal from the first level to the exam and the visa.

The German language hub

German language in India: the complete guide

Courses

Exams and certificates

Goals

City guides

Questions students ask

What is Ausbildung?

Ausbildung is vocational training in Germany. You learn a profession in a structured programme, either in a company with classes at a vocational school, or mainly at a vocational school. It ends with a recognised qualification.

What German level do I need for Ausbildung?

Normally B1 for qualified vocational training, according to the Make it in Germany portal. German Missions' information sheets say that for other training the level is, as a rule, at least A2. Nursing training needs B1 or B2 depending on the federal state.

Is B1 enough for Ausbildung?

B1 is the visa threshold, not a comfortable level. Vocational school and the final exam are in German, so keep studying during your training. A B2 certificate keeps every door open, especially for nursing.

Can I start Ausbildung with A2 German?

German Missions' sheets say that, for training that is not qualified vocational training, the level is as a rule at least A2, and that qualified training needs B1. You can also register for a preparatory language course. Check the checklist of your mission and the requirement of your employer or school.

How long does it take to reach B1 from zero?

It depends on how much you study. On Yastudy's intensive course, with 3 hours of live class a day, Monday to Friday, plus about 2 hours of practice, A1 to B1 takes about 13 weeks and 190 class hours.

What is the age limit for Ausbildung from India?

For the visa to look for a training place, you must be under 35. The official page for the visa for vocational training itself does not list an age limit, but employers have their own preferences.

Do I need to have finished school?

For the visa to look for a training place, you need a school-leaving certificate that gives access to higher education, or a qualification from a German school abroad. For the visa for vocational training, you need a training place, and the employer or school sets its own entry requirements.

How much money must I show for the visa?

The official 2026 figures are: for in-company training, pay of at least €1,048 gross or €822 net a month; for school-based training, at least €959 net a month; and for seeking a training place, a blocked account of at least €1,091 a month. A shortfall can be covered with a blocked account or a declaration of commitment.

Do I get paid during Ausbildung?

In-company trainees receive a training allowance from the employer. The official portal counts that allowance as proof of your living costs if it reaches the minimum. The amount depends on the profession and the employer.

Can I work part time during Ausbildung?

Yes. The residence permit allows a second job of up to 20 hours a week if it is independent of your training.

How long does the Ausbildung visa last?

A residence permit is issued for the duration of the vocational training. For the visa to seek a training place, you can stay up to nine months.

What if I do not have a training place yet?

You can apply for the visa for seeking a vocational training place, if you meet its conditions: a school-leaving certificate that gives access to higher education, B1 German, age under 35 and proof of living costs. You can stay up to nine months and do up to two weeks of trial work.

Can I attend a language course in Germany during training?

With qualified in-company training, the residence permit entitles you to attend a preparatory German language course, such as a government-funded vocational language course or another course designed to prepare you for vocational training.

Who approves the visa?

German Missions' sheets say that applications must be approved by the competent foreigners authority or the Federal Employment Agency in Germany. For in-company training, your employer can ask the Federal Employment Agency for the authorisation by presenting the training contract, which can speed up your application.

How do I apply for the visa?

Apply online on the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal for vocational training. Then follow the instructions of the German Mission that handles your application, including its appointment and document checklist.

What is the visa fee?

German Missions' sheets we read list a visa fee of €75. Fees change, so check your mission's page before you pay.

What happens after Ausbildung?

After qualified vocational training you can stay up to 18 months to look for qualified employment, with a job-seeking permit. After vocational training in Germany and two years of work, a settlement permit is possible if you meet the other requirements.

Can I get permanent residence after Ausbildung?

The official portal says a settlement permit is possible after completing vocational training in Germany and working for two years, if you meet the additional requirements. Confirm the current conditions with the foreigners authority.

Is Ausbildung only for trades?

No. Vocational training covers many professions, including technical, commercial, hospitality, health and care professions. Read the requirements of each profession, including the German level.

Which certificate should I take for the visa?

The sheets ask for proof of German at the required level. The usual providers are the Goethe-Institut, telc and ÖSD. Ask your mission and your employer which they accept before you book. See our telc exam guide for formats and centres.

Can nurses do Ausbildung?

Yes, nursing training is a vocational programme, and applicants from abroad need B1 or B2 depending on the federal state. If you already hold a nursing qualification, recognition may be the route for you. See our German for nurses page.

Does Yastudy help me find a training place?

No. Yastudy does not place trainees or sell training places. We teach German and explain the routes. The A1 to B2 combo includes a Germany roadmap session and admission or Ausbildung guidance.

How much does your course cost?

A1 costs ₹14,000, A2 ₹16,000 and B1 ₹20,000 when bought one at a time. The A1 to B1 combo costs ₹29,500 against ₹50,000 level by level, and the A1 to B2 combo costs ₹39,500.

Is the exam fee included in your course fee?

No. You pay the exam fee to the exam centre when you book. Our course fee covers live classes, recordings, doubt support and mock tests.

What if I do not clear the exam?

You repeat that level's batch without paying again, as long as you attended at least 80% of classes and took the exam within 3 months of finishing the level.

Can I study if I work or study during the day?

Our batches run 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday, and the pace needs about 2 more hours of practice. Every class is recorded, but the course will not suit you if you can only study on weekends.

Is the course online?

Yes. Classes are live online, so you can join from any city in India. Batches have 10 to 12 students and every class is recorded.

Sources and how current this page is

We checked the sources below in October 2026. Rules, fees, dates and centres change, so confirm your own case with the office or institution that asked for the document.

Yastudy course details (hours, weeks, fees, the repeat-level rule and the ₹199 demo) come from our German course page. Last reviewed: 4 October 2026.

German for Ausbildung: the B1 route to vocational training in Germany