Training in Germany

It is a dream of many to be able to complete an apprenticeship in Germany. Not only is the labour market excellent, but the training system is also different from other countries. It is also known that there are very good career opportunities in the Federal Republic without a degree. If you want to complete an apprenticeship as a foreigner in Germany, however, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you must have a solid German proficiency, both in written and oral form. Followed by legal aspects, the question arises as to how you can find a training place.

Regulations on training in Germany

For citizens from the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or even Iceland, there is no legal problem to get trained in Germany. A visa or residence permit is not required in this case. All you have to do is to register at the resident registration office with your new place of residence.

If you are not from the EU, you have to apply for a visa. In order to obtain a visa permit, you must find a training facility in the first place. This must be approved by the Federal Employment Agency. Furthermore, it must be demonstrated that no other German is able to complete this training.

To apply to a company, you also need translated certificates that are recognized and certified. You can find more information on the "anabin.kmk.org" website. The school leaving certificate must be corresponding to the German qualifications. Only in this way, the training company will be able to make a better assessment. Furthermore, you must have sufficient knowledge of German. You can apply to the companies both online and in writing. When you receive a commitment, you need a visa. Furthermore, you have to prove that you have enough money to live in Germany. Depending on the state, 600 to 700 euros per month are budgeted for this purpose. You also need valid health insurance before the start of your training. The application for a visa may take up to three months. Therefore, you should complete the formalities in time.

PC skills as a required competency

In addition to the German language, you need media literacy. In Germany, computers are an integral part at work. Therefore, you should be able to handle a PC. Some companies require office knowledge, which serves as the basis for a possible hiring. Other companies also demand the competent handling of various image editing programs. Please get informed in advance what knowledge the company requires exactly. You may be able to learn the basics in your home country, so you can attach a certificate of knowledge to the application documents.

Tips to quickly find a training facility:

In Germany, training is usually dual. This means that the training is completed both in the company and in the vocational school. The vocational school takes place either one to two days a week or block by block. If you have not yet been successful in finding a training place, it makes sense to contact the vocational schools. They often have information, such as which company still have job openings and where an application makes sense. You can contact the vocational schools by phone or with e-mail. If you are already in Germany to, you can simply go to the nearest vocational school and personally search for a training company. On the Internet you will find both the subject areas and the addresses of the individual vocational schools. Big cities such as Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt offer a wider choice than small towns.

To study in Germany is a great opportunity for many young people, not only from Europe but from all over the world. You benefit from a first-class education system, learn a new language and gain a lot of experience in this interesting country.

Requirements

Student health insurance certificate

The certificate and the health insurance certificate of the health insurance are for enrolment at the university.

Please note that according to the law, everyone in Germany is obliged to obtain health insurance regardless of the intention or purpose of their stay in Germany. For international students, health insurance is a must.

Proof of health insurance for students is an essential part of your application for a German student visa and your registration. You are not allowed to enter Germany if you do not have health insurance before applying for your visa and registering at the university.

Germany is proud of its highly developed and unique health insurance system. For this reason, we have noticed that many international students have various questions about health insurance certificate. Some of them do not have a basic understanding of how it works. If you have similar concerns about your student health insurance in Germany, we will resolve this once and for all.

Student visa

The number of international students, who choose to study in Germany, is growing. For most international students, they may need to apply for a German student visa at a German consulate in their country before they can come to Germany to study.

Depending on the country you are from, you may not need a visa to study in Germany. However, you must still receive a residence permit if your study programme lasts more than 90 days upon arrival in Germany.

Do you need a visa to study in Germany?

• For studies lasting up to 3 months, you will need a Schengen visa
• For a study course lasting more than 3 months, you need a German national visa

If you are travelling to Germany on a national visa, you must extend your stay by obtaining a German residence permit from the Foreigners' Office for study. You should do so while your entry visa is still valid.

Als erstes müssen Sie herausfinden, ob Sie ein Visum benötigen, um als internationaler Student in Deutschland zu studieren, und wenn ja, welches Visum Sie für die Dauer und Art Ihres geplanten Studiums beantragen müssen.

First of all, you need to find out whether you need a visa to study as an international student in Germany or not. If so, which kind of visa you need to apply for the duration and type of your planned studies.

Proof of financing

Auch wenn die Mehrheit der Hochschulen in Deutschland keine Studiengebühren haben und die meisten deutschen Städte auch nicht so teuer sind, wollen die Behörden wissen, ob Sie über genügend finanzielle Mittel verfügen, um in Deutschland zu studieren und zu leben, um Ihnen diesbezüglich ein deutsches Studentenvisum und eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis auszustellen.

Even if the majority of universities in Germany do not have tuition fees and most German cities are not so expensive, the authorities want to make sure that you have enough financial resources to study and live in Germany, in order to issue a German student visa and a residence permit.

According to current estimates of the Federal Training Promotion Act (BAföG), a foreign student needs €720 per month or at least €8,640 per year to live in Germany.

The blocked account for foreign students to finance their studies

If you come to Germany as a foreign student from a non-EU country or a non-EEA country, you must submit the proof of financing that you can cover your living in Germany for one year.

Proof of financial resources is one of the most important prerequisites for obtaining your student visa and residence permit for Germany.

Admission requirements for universities

In order to apply to a German university, you must submit the following documents:

A proper application form

The application form from the university should be completed in in accordance with the rules, which represents correct personal information, training and professional experience. The information provided in the application form should be consistent with the additional documents submitted. Universities usually have online application forms where you need to register and receive their applicant ID. This type of application also includes the electronic uploading of all additional application documents in scanned PDF format. Please do not forget to add your signature if you send the application form electronically.

A recognised university entrance qualification

If you do not have a recognised university entrance qualification in Germany, you must register in the basic course of the "Study College" and prepare for the "determination examination", a qualification assessment examination. And with a successful completion of this examination, you will receive a legitimate qualification of the university entrance qualification, ready for a higher education in Germany. These courses are related to the subject for which you are applying. It lasts up to 2 semesters or 1 calendar year, and usually are offered free of charge by the universities, in which it is possible to sign up after 1 year if you pass the examinations. To register for the course, you must demonstrate German proficiency at least in level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Recognised academic certificates

You must also submit all certificates from previous education, which must be translated by a registered translator and are officially certified by the notary. Official certification means for you, certificate copies confirming the formation, over-match with the original, with a signature and with an official seal or stamp on the copy.

The academic certificates that are usually required for admission to German universities are as follows:

• The university entrance qualification /school leaving certificates,
• Official academic certificates or performance overview,
• Final certificate (a document with the average grade),
• Diploma (a document proving the academic title, e.g. "Bachelor", "Master");
• Diploma attachment
• Certificates of the applicant's previous education (education, occupation, non-curricular training, and so on)
• Evidence of voluntary activities and work experience.

To establish your own company

If you want to start your own company, what should you do? Idea, business plan, legal form, financing, trademark protection, insurance, notary appointments, contracts, to name but a few. These are some of the buzzwords on the way to establish a company. For many founders, they have no clue of establishing a company. For this reason, you will find 10 important steps in setting up a company below.

The first step: planning stage

Before you officially start your company, the planning phase is pending. According to KfW Start-up monitor, from getting the idea to the actual establishment of the company, the average preparation time is seven months. However, 50% of all founders will be able start a company within three months. Many founders, of course, also play with the idea of starting a company for a long time. This is also shown by the time of intensive start-up preparation, which includes the optimization of the idea, the business plan and the administrative procedures. This lasts on average 2.5 months, but more than 50% of the founders taking less than a month.

Our tip: take your time and pay great attention to a valid business model. This is followed by the detailed preparation of your business plan, which forms the basis for a successful kick-off. Particular, make a financial plan which is as realistic as possible. It shows you how much capital is needed and whether your planned company is worth it.

The second step: a full-time job or a part-time job?

The step into self-employment is a big risk for many founders. For this reason, many start-ups first try out part-time self-employment. However, whether you start a company as a part-time job or a full-time does not play a role in the basic requirements for starting a company. However, there are still a few things to keep in mind if you are self-employed.

The third step: check and protect your brand

Many founders break new ground when they start a company. This contains tremendous meanings which should not be neglected. Finally, the company should be easily found in the Internet with a suitable Internet address. The company name should be clear and unambiguous. Brand protection for the products and services secures your position in the competition. However, you must not overlook the fact that these issues are not a one-way street. When you start a company, you also have to be careful not to violate existing intellectual property rights. We provide you further details in the section on industrial property rights.

Speaking of protection: have you thought of security?

When you start a company, it is vitally important to avoid risks, both private and commercial. For many risks, especially those you are not be able to control, there are insurance policies to make sure that financial impact does not cause an early end to self-employment.

As far as personal risks are concerned, during the first three months after the foundation you can decide whether you want to take out statutory or private health insurance. Normally, it makes sense to compare the costs and benefits of private health insurance firstly, in order to compare the best rate with statutory health insurance. Get a free and non-binding PKV comparison.

Operational risks are primarily concerned with determining insurance needs. The reason is from industry to industry, it may apply different insurance policies. Get a free-of-charge analysis.

The fourth step: secure finance for your company

Self-employment first means investment and costs. And the savings are often not enough. Many founders would consider of bank credit. However, there are many methods to raise finance. The starting point is the financial plan that you created in the business plan. The capital requirements for your company are reflected in it. Funding, equity, loans or grants can then be used to finance the company: raise sufficient capital when you start your company.

The fifth step: what permits are required?

You like to cut hair and want to open a hair salon? But it is not that simple, for this trade requires master craftsmanship. It is also not recommended to open a restaurant before you have contacted the building authority. Permissions, approvals, or certain qualifications may be required when you start a company. Get yourself well informed and create a list of necessary permits before you get into problems.

The sixth step: the form of company, bank account and contracts

From the very start, the form of the company, more specifically, the legal form of the company is associated with different requirements and this can significantly prolong the start-up process. While individual companies or partnerships such as Civil law society can be set up quickly, it takes longer for corporations such as limited company or entrepreneurial society. You need time to make appointments with the notary and the necessary commercial registrations. We have gathered important factors for the comparison of the forms of company.

The opening of a business account is also linked to the foundation. Corporations are not notified to the commercial register by the notary until the share capital has been paid in (usually transferred to a business account). For freelancers and sole proprietors, a separate business account is not absolutely necessary but advisable, because only in this way can private and professional finances be separated from each other.

The issue of contract is also closely linked to the legal aspect. However, you should not only think about the social contract or the managing director contracts. Employment contracts for potential employees or general business conditions as well as templates for customer contracts should also be ready right at the beginning.

The seventh step: the location question

If you do not start your company in your own place, but to rent an office, a shop, a workshop or a restaurant, then you have to deal with the question of the suitable location. There are many important factors that you should take into account when it comes to the question of location, so that customers can find their way to you.

The eighth step: where I should register?

Without permissions you cannot start a company. Many registrations are mandatory and without them you are in danger of getting fines. And without a tax number from the tax office, you cannot write any invoices. However, progress is being made gradually. We have listed which office to contact with and when to contact them. Trade registration and for corporations, the commercial register entry are particularly crucial.

The ninth step: the perfect first impression

When it comes to establishing a company, it is all about presentation, and you want to optimize that as best as possible. This includes, for example, the company logo or the website as well as a correctly generated invoice or legal aspects such as the imprint and the data protection declaration. The first impression counts, when you try to establish customer contact and make your first appointment. Give your best and convince them with a powerful first impression.

The tenth step: win customers

After the planning and the numerous formalities, you have been able to successfully establish your own company. And now it is about time to think about sales and make a successful entry into the market. Many people might like to buy from you, but few people know your offer. And even if you are completely convinced of your products or your service, you still have to convince your potential customers. For this purpose, we provide different paths of winning customers.

There is no question that you will advertise in order to promote your offer. However, you should design and implement a coherent marketing concept, also for budget reasons.

In Germany there are different types of taxes, such as income tax, business tax or turnover tax. They are the main source of income for the state, upon which the expenditure of public welfare is depended – such as social security, education, health, or transport infrastructure. The German tax system is based on efficiency, transparency and fairness.

Efficiency

To measure the capacity of the individual to earn, the conditions are very important: equal income, equal tax burden; different incomes, different income tax. As a result, people with lower incomes pay less taxes and better earners are taxed higher.

The individual pays taxes only if he is able to do so. Therefore, there is a tax-free subsistence minimum – only those who earn more than 9,168 euros per year pay taxes. The subsistence minimum of children must also not be taxed. The State grants parents a tax allowance of EUR 7,620 per year for their children.

Income tax (for almost everyone)

In Germany, anyone who earns more than 9.168 euros annually has to pay a share of it to the state. This will ensure that everyone contributes their part to the community. Employees must pay income tax in the same way as pensioners or the self-employed.

Levels of tax rate

The income tax is based on the income capacity according to the 'linear-progressive rate'. It means that tax rates are decided by different tax rates levels. In short, the higher the income, the more percentage of tax.

Gross and net salary

The income tax Employees are shown Employees’ payroll, and it is a prepayment. Employees are classified in tax brackets. The individual situation of a taxpayer, for example, single or with a family, is already taken into account.

The employer retains income tax and social security contributions from the gross salary and pays them to the tax office before paying the net salary to his employees. At the end of the year, taxpayers can file a tax return, and they will receive overpaid taxes back from the tax office.