'Internships in Germany for International Students: Visas, Einvernehmen,

An international student may come to Germany for an internship if the internship is related to their studies and the employer has obtained the necessary approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. For citizens of non-EU countries, this is not simply a trip to visit an employer: it usually requires a national visa process, a contract or invitation, health insurance, and confirmation that the internship aligns with their field of study.

What is Einvernehmen and who issues it

For student internships, citizens of non-EU countries often need prior approval from the German Federal Employment Agency—Einvernehmen der Bundesagentur für Arbeit. In practice, the request is submitted not by the student, but by the German employer or an organization acting on the employer’s behalf. Once approved, the document is forwarded to the student to be included in their visa application package.

The official page for this procedure is on the Bundesagentur für Arbeit website: Praktika für ausländische Studierende.

It’s best to start the approval process early: without Einvernehmen, the consulate usually won’t be able to classify the purpose of the trip as an authorized internship. Specific processing times depend on the employer, the completeness of the documents, and the current workload of the relevant agencies.

Who is eligible for an internship

The key principle is this: the internship must be educational in nature, not a way to circumvent standard labor migration rules. Therefore, before looking for a position, it’s important to check three sets of requirements.

What is checked	Why is it important
Student status	At the start of the internship, the applicant must still be enrolled in school and not have been dismissed or graduated without student status.
Connection to the academic program	The tasks during the internship must correspond to the student’s field of study and the qualifications they are earning at the university.
Status of the educational institution	German authorities may verify whether a foreign university and program are recognized; they often use the Anabin database for reference.

If you already have a degree and are looking for a regular job or internship after graduation, you may need a different type of visa or permit. In this case, it’s best not to try to fit your documents into the student internship category, but rather to check which immigration category applies to you.

Working Conditions and Pay

The maximum duration of such an internship is usually limited by its educational purpose and the approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; the BA’s initial guidelines for international students often specify a period of up to 12 months. If the internship is divided into several periods or the start date changes, the employer must verify whether new approval is required.

Working conditions must not be worse than comparable conditions for employees in Germany. In 2026, the general statutory minimum wage () in Germany is 13.90 euros gross per hour. At 40 hours per week, this amounts to approximately 2,409 euros gross per month, calculated as the average monthly income over the year, before taxes and social security deductions.

There is an important exception: a mandatory internship that is explicitly required by the academic program may be treated differently under the rules of the Minimum Wage Act (Mindestlohngesetz). Therefore, the contract and visa documents must clearly state whether the internship is a Pflichtpraktikum (mandatory internship) or a freiwilliges Praktikum (voluntary internship), how long it lasts, and how it is compensated.

For questions regarding the minimum wage, you can refer to the guidelines from the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales and official materials on the Mindestlohn. For individual legal, tax, or insurance advice, it is best to consult a specialist advisor.

What documents are usually required for a visa

You should always check the German embassy or consulate’s website in the country where you’re applying for the complete list of requirements. Consular checklists vary, and the requirements for the format of translations, insurance, and appointment scheduling change regularly.

Most often, the following are prepared for an internship:

• a valid passport and visa application form;
• a contract or invitation for the internship from a German employer;
• Einvernehmen from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, if required for your specific case;
• an internship plan with tasks, dates, and the work location;
• confirmation of student status at a foreign university;
• documents regarding education or current studies, translated into German if necessary;
• a resume (Lebenslauf) in tabular format;
• proof of language proficiency, if required by the employer, the program, or the consulate;
• health insurance covering the period of entry and the first few weeks of stay;
• Proof of funding, if the internship stipend does not cover living expenses.

It’s a good idea to check the contract in advance to ensure it specifies the employer, the internship location, a contact person, the duration, the schedule, the pay rate, the type of employment, the job title, and a description of the tasks. The more clearly the contract demonstrates the connection to your field of study, the fewer questions will arise during the approval process.

Health Insurance

For a visa and entry into the country, you need health insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay or at least the initial period until you are enrolled in appropriate German health insurance. The specifics depend on the duration of the internship, your student status, compensation, and the employer’s terms.

If the internship is paid and long-term, questions about social insurance in Germany may arise. If it’s a short, mandatory internship required by a university, the process may be different. Don’t choose a policy based solely on price: check whether the consulate accepts it and exactly what it covers.

Where to Look for a Praktikum

It’s best to search for a position in German. Use the name of your field of study or job title along with the words “Praktikum,” “Pflichtpraktikum,” “Internship,” “Deutschland,” and the city, if relevant.

Useful search terms:

• career pages of German companies;
• university websites and international offices;
• LinkedIn and XING;
• Praktikum.info;
• AIESEC;
• exchange and internship programs through your university.

In your response, immediately explain that you are an international student, what your field of study is, the dates you need for the internship, and whether the employer will need to obtain an Einvernehmen. Employers are more likely to respond when they understand the administrative burden in advance.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Make sure the internship is related to your field of study and that you will still be a student as of the start date.
2. Find an employer and agree on the tasks, duration, compensation, and employment arrangement.
3. Ask your employer to check the Einvernehmen procedure on the Bundesagentur für Arbeit website.
4. Obtain a contract, an internship plan, and approval from the BA, if required.
5. Check the visa checklist on the website of the German consulate in the country where you’re applying.
6. Prepare translations, insurance, financial documents, and your Lebenslauf.
7. Apply for a visa and do not purchase non-refundable tickets until you receive a clear decision.

Common Mistakes

• Negotiating an internship that is only loosely related to one’s field of study.
• It is assumed that the employer is familiar with the procedure for international students.
• Submitting documents without Einvernehmen when it is required.
• Include general phrases in the contract instead of specific tasks and work locations.
• Do not check whether the internship is mandatory or voluntary in terms of minimum pay.
• Using an outdated consular checklist or the requirements for the wrong country of application.

Conclusion

An internship in Germany can strengthen your resume and provide real-world work experience in a German environment, but for a student from a non-EU country, the main challenge is usually not finding a position, but correctly documenting the purpose of the trip. First, make sure the internship fits your academic program; then, agree on the Einvernehmen with your employer; and only after that should you begin compiling your visa application package according to the consulate’s current checklist.