FAQs about internships in Germany

On 16. November our experts Sarah Stücken from Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Karin Pankazu from DAAD answered many of your questions concerning internships in Germany. Read the FAQs:

1. Rules and Requirements
2. IAESTE
3. Finances and Deadlines

1. Rules and Requirements

What are the main criteria based on which internships are given to the foreign students?
First of all qualifications, it's important that the students apply for internships in areas that match their subjects of study.
If you are planning to do the internship within an internship programme the criteria depend on the respective programme: The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) e.g. is open for undergraduate and graduate students of science, engineering and agriculture. The students must be enrolled at a foreign university for the whole period of training.

Will I need a work permit for doing an internship in Germany?
Non-European students need a work permit if they wish to complete an internship in Germany. Within in the IAESTE programmme, the DAAD can issue a work permit waiver. EU citizens do not need a work permit but can do an internship right away.
It's also important to mention that the 90/180 days rule does apply for students that have a student visa for studying in Germany. That means that you are allowed to work 90 full or 180 half days per year.

Are German language skills necessary to get an internship?
If you want to do an internship in a German company you need to speak the language of communication. If that's German then you need to know German! In research institutes or some big international companies English is normally enough but of course knowing some German won't hurt.

Which is the best way to find an internship at a German company?
For students of engineering and sciences we recommend IAESTE. Many Universities have Career Services and offer search engines. The Ruhr Universität e.g. provides the internship database of RUB's Career Service.

Is it necessary to study while applying for an internship or can the applicant be recent graduated?
Being a student makes it easier. If you are a student at a German University you already have a visa. If you are enrolled at a university abroad it's easier to get one.

Will prior work experience come handy to get an internship position.
Absolutely! Many employers require prior experience especially in laboratory work at a research institution.

What is the difference between Praktikum (internship) and Studentische Hilfskraft (student assistant)?
Studentische Hilfskraft (student assistant) is a PAID job at a University for enrolled students. A Praktikum (internship) can be paid or not paid and does have to do with a job you might want to take later on. An internship is part of your academic education while a job as a Studentische Hilfskraft just earns you some extra money.

Is there any programme for post-graduation students?
There is no special programme at RUB we have a programme that prepares enrolled international students for internships and application processes. When they are finished with their studies they can apply for a job or an internship: http://international.rub.de/rubiss/angebote/profin.html.de

Are German employers interested in getting international interns?
Absolutely, there are about 700 companies per year that offer internships in the IAESTE programme only .

Do you have any internships for lawyers?
Maybe aiesec fits you or the European Law students association (ELSA) might be interesting for you to have a look at.

Is there an internship for English teachers?
You could try and come as a language assistant. That is a kind of assistant teacher programme. http://www.kmk-pad.org/

Is it possible to cancel my internship if I don’t like it?
Well, what kind of question is that? At the beginning of your internship you sign a contract with your employer and you are expected to fulfill it. So before agreeing to an internship think twice and make sure that it's really something you'd like to do. In case you are granted a scholarship you will be asked to pay back at least parts of it if you decide to quit without a very good reason.

Can I get admission in Masters after completing an internship successfully in Germany?
There is no guarantee that you can start studying in a master programme in Germany after you have completed an internship. For studying in Germany, the rules are completely different! In terms of educational requirements, language and also visa!!!

2. IAESTE

What is the full meaning of IAESTE?
IAESTE stands for "International association for the exchange of students for technical experience".

Where do I have to apply for the IAESTE programme?
Please apply at the IAESTE national committee in the country where you are studying. A list of national committees is provided here.

What can I do if IAESTE does not operate in my home country, how can I get internship?
In case you are from a country where there is no IAESTE committee and you wish to come to Germany for an internship, ask your employer to contact the DAAD section 514. And you can always become active yourself, find a company and apply!

Is a TOEFL test necessary for an IAESTE internship?
For many internship programmes a language test is required but not necessarily TOEFL but also TestDaF (German) and others.

I am currently enrolled in a German University as an Exchange Student. How could the IASTE help me to find internships?
You may apply for an internship outside Germany. IAESTE cannot assist you in finding an internship in Germany. Maybe your German host university has got a Career Service. Go there and ask them if they have some advice for you!

How can I volonteer for IAESTE and what tasks do I have to fulfil?
We are always looking for volunteers. Please contact the IAESTE committee in your home country. There are many different tasks but mostly it’s about supporting international students.

Do I have to take part in the IAESTE programme in order to find an internship in Germany or is it possible to find one by myself?
Of course you can become active yourself, search for suitable positions and apply. But inform yourself about "application rules" / formalities first. In Germany they might be different from your home country in terms of cover letter, cv etc.

3. Finances and Deadlines

Is there an application deadline for internships?
There is no special deadline, but you should take into consideration that if you come to Germany for an internship -and are not already here- you will need some time to apply for a visa! For students studying in Germany who wish to participate in the IAESTE programme the deadline is 30. November each year.

When is the right time for a student to look for an internship?
Most employers offer internships for students towards the end of their studies because they expect some experience from you especially if they pay you.

How long do internships normally last?
Minimum is 8 weeks, max. 12 month but that depends on your time budget as well. The employer decides of course.

I want to extend my internship for another 6 months. Is it possible?
To extend your internship might be difficult because you also have to extend your visa. You must make sure that you continue to be paid or that a scholarship is extended as well.

Is it common for internships to be paid in Germany? And if so, how much are they normally paid?
For international students that are enrolled at a German university and who do an internship during their studies it is not necessarily a rule that they get a paid internship.
For students from abroad it is important that the costs of living are covered. Either by the payment or with a scholarship. The amount of money needed per month is currently 670 Euro. If you can't show proof of this amount you won't get the required work permit waiver.

What would be the average costs incurred during an internship? And do the internships give out stipend as well?
As mentioned before you'll be asked to show proof of the required 670 Euro per month either with a scholarship or by payment. To get an overview of living costs in Germany, have a look here.

Can I apply for some funding to get me through the internship for the next 3 months even if I already started with it?
Well as you have already started your internship you can no longer apply for funding at a public organization. I'm sorry.