Internship in Germany
Your university degree in Germany may contain plenty of lab-based sessions to give you a sense of job-oriented skills, but nothing won’t equal then an experience in a real job environment. This is why potential employers, scope for those candidates who have a relevant experience in their study fields to be guaranteed that these individuals are able to put their knowledge in practice.
An internship in Germany is exactly what will complete the practical aspect of your degree and will significantly boost your employability.
There are many nationally and internationally recognized companies eager to hire young and ambitious students or newly graduates. The German language is the most spoken native language in the continent of Europe and amongst the most widely spoken languages in the world. In addition, their culture, traditions, customs and lifestyle is unique ensuring that the internship in Germany will be a life-changing experience.
Reasons to do your internship in Germany
Deciding to do an internship abroad is always good, but you will always want to ask yourself some questions to find something that would precisely fit with your goals. The very first thing you need to ask yourself is about why you choose a country to do an internship in.
For many, the reasons why doing an internship in Germany is almost a must-do are quite obvious. Anyway, we are going to mention a few of them, which you might not have thought of.
Countless options – In many countries, you have to limit yourself in only several available options and you will have to align your internship goals with those options. In Germany, on the other hand, there are countless internship options available to foreigners so the chances you’ll find something precisely as you want are always high.
Get a permanent job – Chances are that once you complete your internship your employer in Germany will decide to hire you as a full-time employee. Surely this depends on your overall performance and the company’s future plans, but chances still remain high.
Learn from the best – Even if you don’t get the job, an internship in Germany is still worthy. The country’s powerful economy is highly supported by professional, educated and experienced leaders, thus by doing an internship in Germany, you will have the chance to work from and with the best.
Usually, the company will charge an employee to track your performance in the company and he will always be there to advise and encourage you. The time you spend on this internship will boost your employability because future employers value your internship in Germany and share the belief that you possess the skills and knowledge they are looking for in the market.
Internationally recognized companies – As the fourth strongest economy in the world, Germany is the place where many internationally recognized companies are located thus being a fantastic chance for you to gain an invaluable work experience.
You will get provision from experienced professionals whose guidance will have a significant impact on your professional growth. Moreover, there are chances you’ll end up as a regular worker in that company if your performance is good.
German language – Statistically the German language is the most spoken native language in the continent of Europe. Furthermore, millions of other people in the world speak German.
If you manage to learn the German language while doing your internship in Germany it is for sure that you will enjoy an outstanding employability rate afterwards. Plus, it will award you an emotional fulfilment and also enable you to read books written in the German language.
Unique experience – There are way more benefits than just a job experience by taking an internship in Germany. The country has a long and rich history, indicating an outstanding cultural diversity which is present in every sphere of life.
People of different nationalities live in harmony in this country and its an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to their culture and tradition.
Nature in Germany is a place of huge contrasts stretching out all across the country with wonderful sights and many other tourist attractions waiting to be explored from you.
Things to consider about internships in Germany
We don’t recommend you take the very first internship opportunity that comes in your way. There is an endless pool of opportunities, so you just have to do your research, be patient and the perfect choice will come to you at the right moment. Prior to your decision, it is important you consider a few things, as shown below.
The first and the foremost thing that must have your utmost priority is the impact that particular internship can have in building your professional career. Sometimes graduates are tempted from internship offers which otherwise are perfect, but have almost nothing to do with their studies and consequently, the benefits are scanty.
For that, you must ask yourself how the internship fits with your professional plans and how it can contribute you to achieve that.
Other things, including the duration of your internship, the location of its provider and the financial rewards can also account for your decision of taking a particular internship in Germany.
All these depend on your personal preferences but is highly recommended you give a thought to these matters before deciding.
It is good if your internship is at least six months long, so it’s enough time for you to gain the solid experience required to land a good job following the completion of your internship.
Also, you might prefer to get an internship that rewards money instead of just being committed to an job whose cost you have to fund all by yourself and at the end won’t have any impact on your future employability.
The location must also play a role in your selection because you might want to get an internship where the job market is strong and job opportunities afterwards are many.
How to find an internship in Germany?
Finding an internship in Germany is not that hard actually because there are many helpful resources. But for many unfortunately it is, so it’s good to list those resources for those who may not know.
Your university – If you’re studying in Germany or you just have completed your degree in Germany, your university must be the first port to call for your internship.
Typically, German universities have a specific office for career counselling and they maintain strong links with local recruiters. They can provide you with a complete list of available internship options and can offer useful advice about what would best fit you because they normally have more information about that employer.
Officials there can also arrange you a meeting or an interview with a certain employer. On top of that, career consultants can help you present yourself as well as possible by providing interview tips.
Local agencies – Internship agencies are also a great resource to find an internship in Germany. There are many of them and some of them may have a wide network of partners. These agencies keep students and graduates updated with any available internship program.
Participate Career Fairs – Career fairs are another great opportunity to get closer to a potential employer. Commonly there are people who are going to present and explain in details numerous internship opportunities for you. Use online means to keep track of these events and attend them regularly. Often the company’s representatives get your information and if there’s any available place in their workplace they will reach you over the phone or email.
Contact employers personally – If none of the above doesn’t work out, you can still rely on yourself. Many students or graduates look out independently for available internships in Germany and you can do exactly the same.
Identify some companies whose profile is interesting and see if they offer internship programs. Usually, on their official website, there is a specific section about available internship places. You can reach them by mail to make an appointment for an eye-to-eye interview at their offices.
Do I need a visa to do an internship in Germany?
Whether do you need a visa or not to do an internship in Germany it depends on your nationality. Citizens of EU and EEA countries don’t need a visa for the purpose of doing an internship in Germany. If you’re not a citizen of any of these countries then you will have to get a German training/internship visa.
The following documents are required to apply for an internship visa in Germany:
- Valid Passport
- The Permission to Work in Germany (issued by the Bundesagentur fur Arbeit)
- Approval Letter from Your Employer in Germany
- Educational Qualification
- Proof of Health Insurance
We recommend you take a health insurance plan tailored for interns/trainees in Germany such as EDUCARE24, which covers everything you need to do an internship in Germany and is affordable.
Proof of Financial Resources
You will need to prove to the German consulate authorities that you have enough financial resources to live in Germany for at least one year. If your internship is unpaid or doesn’t cover the full costs of living in Germany, you need to open a German Blocked Account.
Proof of Accommodation in Germany
For more information about training/internship visas in Germany, this article covers all the details.
Important Tip: To Maximize Your Chances of Getting Your Internship Visa You Should Use a Blocked Account as Proof of Financial Resources.
A blocked account is a special type of bank account, to prove you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year.
As of 2023, as a foreigner in Germany you need a minimum of €934 euros per month for living expenses. So, you are required to have a total of €11,208 in your bank account before you apply for a German internship visa.