Prospects after graduation Have you graduated or are you about to graduate from university in Germany? Here are some suggestions for what to do after you graduate. On this page On this page Studies completed – what now? Residence & job search Starting your career straight away with a job offer Self-employed after graduation: ways to start a business Doctorate in Germany: research with prospects Vocational training as an alternative: continue learning with practical approach Seek assistance: get advice Once you have successfully completed your studies in Germany, there are many options open to you - from starting a career straight away to a doctorate , self-employment or alternatively vocational training. Find out here about your options after graduation, how you can organise your stay in Germany and what legal requirements apply. Apply for a new residence permit on time If you wish to continue living in Germany after your studies, you must apply for the appropriate residence title before your study permit expires. Studies completed – what now? Residence & job search If you come from the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you do not need a visa or residence permit to live and work in Germany. You can find more information on this topic in the section “ Information for EU citizens ”. If you are from a third country , you have the possibility of obtaining a residence permit valid for up to 18 months to look for qualified employment . During these 18 months, you are

Vocational training in the hotel and gastronomy industry in Germany Learn a future-proof profession in the hotel and gastronomy industry (HoGa) in Germany. Here you will find information on the vocational training, professions in demand and the prospects. On this page On this page Hotel and gastronomy industry: prospects for skilled workers In-demand vocational training professions in the gastronomy and hotel industry Where can I complete vocational training? How much will I earn during my vocational training? Which requirements do I have to meet? Prospects after vocational training Vocational training in the hotel and gastronomy industry (HoGa) offers not only diverse career opportunities but also an exciting way of starting your professional life in Germany. Learn more about potential careers in the industry and find the vocational training place suitable for you. Hotel and gastronomy industry: prospects for skilled workers The hotel and gastronomy sector offers a wide range of professions that focus on interacting with people: welcoming guests in a hotel, impressing them with your cooking skills or working on standardised processes in system catering – there are numerous opportunities. The professions have many facets and are challenging in many ways. Flexibility, communication skills and proper organisation are particularly important here to ensure that everything runs smoothly and guests are satisfied. 51,582 people were in vocational training in the hospitality industry (in

Vocational training in trading and sales in Germany Would you like to learn a profession which is connected to a lot of customer contact and selling products? That is just what Vocational training and in trading and sales offers! On this page On this page Trading and sales: a sector with a future In-demand vocational training professions in trading and sales Where can I complete vocational training? How much will I earn during my vocational training? Which requirements do I have to meet? Prospects after vocational training Vocational training in trading and sales offers you the opportunity to work directly with customers, present products and get to know the processes within a company. Learn about the professions in this sector and find a suitable vocational training position! Trading and sales: a sector with a future Trading is one of the biggest sectors in Germany. About 14 percent of all employed persons in Germany work in the trading industry. Regardless of whether you work in the supermarket, in fashion stores or in specialist shops, as sales assistant or management assistant for retail services, you are the face of the company and are in direct contact with customers. This type of work requires friendliness, clever communication and a good understanding of products and services. 6,4 million people worked in trading and sales in Germany in 2026. 119,367 people were in vocational training in the sector (in 2025). 537,521 companies existed in the sector (in 2025). In-demand

Nursing professional Get trained as a nurse: basic medical knowledge and carefully dealing with persons in need of nursing care are the vocational training’s main focus. On this page On this page Training content: nursing professional Which requirements do I have to fulfil for training as as a nursing professional? What to expect during your training as a nursing professional How much will I earn during my vocational training? Do I need a visa to train as a nursing professional? Prospects after vocational training as a nursing professional Government projects for training placement The shorter alternative: training to become a nursing assistant Are you communicative and do you like working with people? Are you also interested in medicine and organisation, and are you reliable and conscientious? Then training to become a nurse could be just right for you. Here you will work in the care of people of all ages in various areas, e.g. in hospitals, long-term care facilities and outpatient care services. Possible areas of work include geriatric nursing and occupational health and paediatric nursing. Training content: nursing professional In the first two years of vocational training, general nursing training is provided. This includes teaching about the healthy and ill human being, as well as preventive and curative measures. Knowledge of the use of digital administration software, e.g. in nursing documentation, as well as the use of medical technology innovations round off the vocational

Vocational training in medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology in Germany Vocational training in medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology offers a varied and future-oriented career. Learn more about the professional options in the sector! On this page On this page Medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology: a future with great career opportunities In-demand vocational training professions in medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology Where can I complete vocational training? How much will I earn during my vocational training? Which requirements do I have to meet? Prospects after vocational training This sector offers numerous opportunities for those who are interested in a meaningful occupation centred around supporting people, as well as manual and technical skills. Medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology: a future with great career opportunities Medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology deals with the development, production, customization and selling of aids and devices, which support people: for example, in cases of illness, disability, after accidents or in old age. Depending on the profession, this may involve making dentures, wheelchairs, walking aids, prostheses, glasses or hearing aids. Advising patients is oftentimes also part of the job. Medical technologists for radiology have a different focus. They do X-ray photographs, for example. Working in medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation technology is of high

Vocational training in the electronic and metal industry in Germany Do you have a technical understanding and an interest in innovative technology? Then vocational training in the electronic and metal industry is just the right thing for you! On this page On this page Electronic and metal industry: where skilled workers find opportunities In-demand vocational training professions in the electronic and metal industry Where can I complete vocational training? How much will I earn during my vocational training? Which requirements do I have to meet? Prospects after vocational training Vocational training in the electronic and metal industry does not only open doors to diverse and exciting professions but also to impeccable career opportunities in Germany. Regardless of whether you wish to be an electronics technician or an industrial mechanic, the options for vocational training in this field are wide-ranging and are a solid basis for a successful professional career. Electronic and metal industry: where skilled workers find opportunities Germany is one of the biggest manufacturers and users of metal products globally. The companies of the German metal industry work with light metals like aluminium, non-ferrous metals (e.g. copper), as well as precious metals and rare metals. In production, products for processing like sheet metals or poles and processed products, like tubes or tins, for example, are manufactured. Important customers of the metal industry are the vehicle industry

Vocational training in the construction industry and finishing trade in Germany Build your future in Germany with vocational training in the construction industry and finishing trade. Here you will find all the important information on the prospects in this professional field. On this page On this page Construction and finishing trades: a key sector with prospects In-demand vocational training professions in the construction industry and finishing trade How much will I earn during my vocational training? Which requirements do I have to meet? Prospects after vocational training Vocational training in the construction industry offers not only multi-faceted and exciting professions, but also a promising professional career in Germany. Regardless of whether you are interested in working as a building construction worker specialising in (reinforced) concrete work or as a mason, there are varying options for vocational training, and they offer a solid basis for a successful career. Construction and finishing trades: a key sector with prospects The construction industry is the literal foundation of a country and counts as one of the most meaningful branches of the German economy. Without the construction industry, there wouldn’t be any buildings or streets, and a functioning day-to-day life without them would be unimaginable. The high value of the construction industry is reflected in numbers: 2,6 million employed persons in the industry in 2024. 423 billion euros in revenue in 2024.

Vocational training in foodstuffs in Germany Would you like to learn a profession, which is a hands-on craft and where you produce high-quality foods? Vocational training in foodstuffs offers just that! On this page On this page Foodstuffs: where career prospects begin In-demand vocational training professions in foodstuffs Where can I complete vocational training? How much will I earn during my vocational training? Which requirements do I have to meet? Prospects after vocational training Vocational training in foodstuffs offers you the opportunity to work in traditional craftsmanship and learn innovative techniques at the same time. Learn more about the professions in the sector and find a suitable place for vocational training! Foodstuffs: where career prospects begin The foodstuffs sector entails professions in the production of high-quality foods. Regardless of whether you are baking bread, processing meat or brewing beer, in this sector, skilled crafting, an awareness for quality and carefulness play an important role. This type of work requires not only precision, but also creativity to develop new recipes and products. 651,150 people were employed in the German food industry in 2024. 10,305 people were in vocational training in the sector (in 2024). 32,360 companies made up the sector (in 2025). In-demand vocational training professions in foodstuffs The following professions are particularly in demand (Unfortunately, the following links leading to the individual professions

Requirements for vocational training Are you interested in vocational training in Germany? Learn here what requirements you have to meet for vocational training. On this page: On this page: School-leaving qualification Language skills Visa Would you like to do vocational training in Germany? A great decision – because skilled workers are in high demand here! But before you get started, you should know what requirements you need to meet. Here you’ll find all the important information: from school qualifications and language skills to visa regulations. Please beware: There is no age limit for starting vocational training. Even people who already have an academic degree or work experience can generally complete vocational training. Are you over the age of 45? You should then pay attention to the requirement of a minimum salary or retirement provision (in case you require a visa), since the salary during vocational training usually falls below these thresholds. School-leaving qualification If you would like to complete vocational training in Germany, you generally require a school-leaving qualification of a school providing general education. In this context it is important to be aware of the German school system distinguishing between two different types of qualifications. In regard to the requirements for vocational training, there are several differences, depending on the type of vocational training: Dual vocational training : according to German law, you do not require a specific

Training profiles at a glance What occupations that require training are the most demanded in Germany? In this category, you will find the currently most demanded training professions. Nursing professional Train to become a qualified nursing professional – a demanding program that provides in-depth medical knowledge and prepares you for a responsible role. Transport and logistics Without transport and logistics, everything comes to a halt – find out here which apprenticeships are in high demand and what qualifications are especially important Electronic and metal industry Are you interested in technology and precision? Then you can expect exciting tasks working with machines and modern technologies. Learn more here about vocational training in the electronic and metal industry. Construction industry and finishing trade Whether on scaffolding or during interior work – skilled workers in the construction and finishing trades help shape our living spaces. If you are good with your hands and enjoy physical work, this field offers exciting vocational trainings with a future. Hotel and gastronomy industry Hospitality and catering offer you a varied and future-proof career – whether in the kitchen, in service, or at the reception desk. Trading and sales If you enjoy working with people and have a knack for business, retail offers a wide range of opportunities. Discover which professions in this field are currently in high demand. Foodstuffs Are you looking for a vocational training