Route: vocational training (Ausbildung)

Requirements, German level, money, pay – and why this route attracts the most scams.

Legal basis: § 16a AufenthG. Most training in Germany is dual: work at a company plus school at a vocational college (in Berlin an OSZ, Oberstufenzentrum). The Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve it. A side job of up to 20 hours a week is allowed. Training is not counted against the Western Balkans quota; it is a route of its own.

What you need

• A training contract or confirmation from the company or school.
• German: as a rule B1 for qualified vocational training. Whether a mission accepts a lower level plus a preparatory German course depends on the case; check its current leaflet.
• Living costs: dual training, 2026 benchmark €822 net (€1,048 gross) a month (Make it in Germany); school-based training €959 net (€822 plus €137 for health insurance). If the training pay is lower, a blocked account covers the gap.
• School certificates with apostille or legalisation and translation: Documents. Apply through the visa procedure.

What you earn

• Minimum training pay 2026 (BIBB): €724 / €854 / €977 / €1,014 a month in training years 1 to 4. Collective agreements are often higher.
• If your training ends through no fault of your own, you have up to 6 months to find a new place.

Visa to look for a training place (§ 17)

Under 35, German at B1, a school-leaving certificate that gives access to university in Germany or in the state where you obtained it (or from a German school abroad), and €1,091 a month for up to 9 months (§ 2 (3) sentence 6 AufenthG). How often the missions in the region issue this visa in practice is not confirmed.

After the training: a skilled-worker permit (§ 18a) if you get a matching job, see Skilled worker.