Ausbildung Courses in Germany: Duration, German Level and Pay

Choosing between Ausbildung courses in Germany is not only about which field sounds attractive. Each course has its own length, its own legal framework and its own daily routine, and you will spend up to three and a half years in it, learning and working in German. This guide compares five courses that Kerala students often ask about, using the training rules published by German chambers and federal bodies, so you can match a course to your interests before you start language classes and applications.

How an Ausbildung works

Ausbildung is the German word for vocational training in a trade or profession. Most courses are "dual": you sign a training contract with a company, spend most of your time learning on the job, and attend a vocational school (Berufsschule) for theory. At the end you sit a final examination; for many courses the chamber of industry and commerce (IHK) is the body in charge. Because you are employed by the company during training, you receive a monthly training allowance rather than paying tuition.

Nursing is organised a little differently. It has its own federal law, the Pflegeberufegesetz (PflBG), with a nursing school and practical placements in hospitals and care settings, and it ends with a state examination.

Five Ausbildung courses in Germany compared

Course	German title	Length	Where the length comes from
Nursing	Pflegefachfrau / Pflegefachmann	3 years full-time (up to 5 years part-time)	PflBG section 6
IT specialist	Fachinformatiker/in	3 years	IHK Magdeburg
Mechatronics technician	Mechatroniker/in	3.5 years	IHK Köln
Industrial mechanic	Industriemechaniker/in	3.5 years	IHK Magdeburg
Hotel specialist	Hotelfachmann / Hotelfachfrau	3 years	IHK Magdeburg

These are the standard lengths in the training rules. Always read the length and start date stated in your own contract as well.

Nursing (Pflegefachfrau or Pflegefachmann)

The generalist nursing course prepares you to care for people of all ages in hospitals, care homes and home care. Under section 6 of the PflBG it lasts three years full-time, or at most five years part-time, and combines theoretical and practical lessons with practical training, with practical training making up the larger share. It suits students from a science background who are comfortable with shift work and close patient contact. Our Ausbildung in Germany page has more on this route.

IT specialist (Fachinformatiker/in)

This three-year course has four specialisations: application development, data and process analysis, digital networking, and system integration. The specialisation shapes what you learn in the company and at vocational school, so pick the one closest to your interests. It suits students who enjoy logic and problem solving and who are prepared to work through technical documentation in German.

Mechatronics technician (Mechatroniker/in)

Mechatronics technicians work on systems that combine mechanical and electronic parts, and IHK Köln lists mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computing, physics and mathematics among the training content. The training lasts three and a half years. Students who liked physics and practical work at school often find it a good match.

Industrial mechanic (Industriemechaniker/in)

Industrial mechanics build, maintain and repair machines and production systems. The training lasts three and a half years, and IHK Magdeburg lists four areas of deployment: precision instruments, maintenance, machine and plant construction, and production technology.

Hotel specialist (Hotelfachmann or Hotelfachfrau)

This three-year course covers the main areas of a hotel, including kitchen and service, reception, housekeeping and sales. It suits outgoing students who enjoy working with guests, and it involves a lot of spoken German from the first day, often with weekend and evening shifts.

What do trainees earn during an Ausbildung?

Dual courses regulated under the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) or the Crafts Code have a legal minimum training allowance. According to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB press release of 7 October 2026):

• For training that starts in 2026, the minimum in the first year is 724 euros a month.
• For training that starts in 2027, the minimum is 764 euros in the first year, 902 euros in the second, 1,031 euros in the third and 1,070 euros in the fourth.
• Companies bound by a collective agreement may follow that agreement. Companies without one may pay at most 20 percent below the collective rates for their sector and region.

Nursing training falls under the PflBG instead, which requires an appropriate training allowance (section 19) but does not use the BBiG table above. Pay for any course varies by employer and region, so treat these as minimums and check the figure in your contract.

German level and the training visa

Make it in Germany's page on the vocational training visa lists the main conditions:

• German at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference, as a rule. Proof can be waived if the training company confirms your German is sufficient.
• A binding commitment from the company for a training place.
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency where necessary, which checks for example that you train under the same conditions as German trainees.
• Means to cover your living costs. The page links to a separate overview of the amounts, so check the current figure on the official site before you apply.

Trainees with this residence permit may also take a second job of up to 20 hours a week, as long as it is independent of the training.

How to choose the right course

1. Start with what you enjoyed at school. Biology suits nursing, mathematics and computing suit IT, physics and practical work suit the technical courses.
2. Think about the daily routine. Shift work, standing for long hours, customer contact and workshop conditions differ a lot between courses.
3. Check the length against your plans. Three and a half years is a long commitment, so be sure of the field.
4. Plan your German. B1 is the usual visa level, but vocational school and the final exam are in German, so more is better.
5. Read every contract carefully. Look for the start date, length, allowance and working hours before you sign.

We have not ranked these courses by "demand" or future earnings. Openings vary by region and by year, and the only reliable figure is the one written in your training contract. For a wider picture of options, see our guide to studying in Germany.

Medcity International Academy runs German classes up to C2 if you need to reach B1 or higher. Medcity Overseas can guide you through choosing a course and preparing your application; contact the team through our contact page.