Internship Visa Germany 2026: Requirements & Process

An internship visa for Germany is a residence permit issued under §16a or §16e of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) that allows a non-EU national to complete an internship at a German company. Approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit is required in most cases, the end-to-end process takes 6–8 weeks minimum, and the visa must be issued before the intern’s first day.

All figures, thresholds, and processing times in this article reflect current conditions in 2026.

The rest of this guide explains who needs the visa, what the requirements are, how mandatory and voluntary internships differ, and how the process unfolds end-to-end.

Who Needs an Internship Visa in Germany?

Any non-EU national who wants to complete an internship in Germany and is currently living outside the country needs a German internship visa. This applies regardless of whether the person holds a valid residence permit from another European country. A Dutch, French, or Swedish residence permit, for example, does not grant the right to work or intern in Germany. Germany and the Netherlands are both part of the Schengen Area — meaning no border checks — but employment law operates independently from free movement rules.

In short: if the intern holds a non-EU passport and currently lives abroad, they need a German internship visa before their first day. There are no exceptions to this rule.

The only interns who do not need a separate internship visa are those already living in Germany on a valid German student visa — but as noted above, this article does not cover that scenario. For an overview of all German visa types relevant to international hires, see the official BAMF migration & residence overview, the Make it in Germany visa portal, and relokate’s immigration guides.

What Are the Requirements for an Internship Visa in Germany?

The requirements for an internship visa in Germany depend on which legal basis applies to the intern’s situation. German immigration law provides two main pathways: §16a AufenthG and §16e AufenthG. Both require:

• A signed internship contract
• A detailed internship plan (Praktikumsplan)
• Proof that the intern can cover their living costs in Germany
• Prior approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) — in most cases

Beyond the internship-specific documents, the German consulate will also require a completed visa application form, a valid passport, CV, motivation letter, and proof of German health insurance. The exact requirements differ between mandatory and voluntary internships as well as between embassies.

Mandatory vs. Voluntary Internship in Germany: What Is the Difference?

German immigration law and employment law treat mandatory and voluntary internships differently. The distinction affects the minimum wage requirement, the documents needed, and parts of the visa application. Getting this wrong at the start of the process leads to delays — so it is worth understanding clearly before any paperwork is prepared.

Mandatory Internship (Pflichtpraktikum)

A mandatory internship is one that is explicitly required by the intern’s foreign study programme. The university must formally prescribe the internship as part of the curriculum, and the placement at the German company must be officially recognised by that institution as fulfilling the requirement.

Mandatory internships are exempt from the statutory minimum wage under §22 MiLoG. However, the intern must still demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living costs in Germany — the 2026 threshold is approximately €992 net per month (Source: BAMF, 2026 subsistence rate). This can be evidenced through a scholarship, a blocked account (Sperrkonto), or a financial guarantee from the employer (Verpflichtungserklärung).

A key additional document is also required: written confirmation from the foreign university stating that the internship at the specific company counts toward the compulsory placement requirement under the foreign curriculum. Without this letter, the mandatory internship exemption does not apply.

Voluntary Internship (Freiwilliges Praktikum)

A voluntary internship is one the intern chooses to do independently of their study programme’s requirements. It is not prescribed by the curriculum, and no university confirmation of compulsory placement is needed.

Voluntary internships are not exempt from the statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohngesetz). The intern must receive at least the current German minimum wage — which in 2026 works out to approximately €1,090 gross per month (around €855 net) for full-time hours (Source: §1 MiLoG, 2026 hourly rate). The employer must provide evidence of this payment through the internship contract or a separate salary confirmation.

For voluntary internships under §16e AufenthG, the internship must also have a direct, demonstrable connection to the intern’s field of study. A generic or unrelated placement will not satisfy the Bundesagentur für Arbeit’s requirements.

What is the difference between §16a and §16e visas for interns?

For most HR teams, §16a is the more flexible default — particularly for recent graduates or candidates who have completed their degree but want a German practical placement before applying for a full work visa.

Bundesagentur für Arbeit Approval: Why It Is Required for Internship Visas in Germany

In most cases, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) must give formal prior approval before the intern can apply for their visa. Without it, the German embassy will not process the visa application.

BA approval is not required if the intern holds citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, or if the internship takes place within an EU-funded exchange programme such as Erasmus or Leonardo. All other interns from outside Germany generally need it.

The BA reviews whether the intern’s university is properly accredited, whether the degree is comparable to a German qualification, whether the study-subject connection is genuine, and whether pay conditions are met. The employer submits the application online through the BA portal, along with the internship contract, internship plan, and supporting documents. Applications can be submitted no earlier than six months before the planned start date. Processing takes approximately two weeks.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Internship Visa for Germany?

The total timeline from starting the process to the intern’s first day in Germany is typically six to eight weeks at minimum — and often longer depending on the country of application and current embassy capacity.

How relokate Handles Intern Visa Hiring

relokate manages internship hiring end-to-end for German companies bringing on non-EU interns. We confirm the right legal pathway (§16a vs §16e), prepare and submit the BA approval application, coordinate with the foreign university for the compulsory-placement letter where needed, advise on Sperrkonto vs. Verpflichtungserklärung, and support the intern through the embassy process. HR teams stay focused on onboarding — we handle the paperwork, deadlines, and authority liaison.

Across 1,500+ relocations since 2020, the most common cause of intern start-date slippage we see at relokate is the offer letter committing to a date before the BA approval timeline is confirmed. We flag this risk before the offer goes out, so HR teams don’t rebook flights or renegotiate housing leases mid-process.

We also flag the realistic timeline before any start date is agreed, so the offer letter doesn’t commit to a date the visa process can’t hit. For HR teams running multiple intern cohorts a year, we offer a fixed pay-per-case model with transparent pricing — no retainer, no per-seat fees.

For broader context on hiring international talent into Germany — work visas, Blue Cards, and post-internship conversion — see our 2026 employer’s guide to hiring international talent and the EU Blue Card guide for converting an intern to a full work visa after graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Internship Visa in Germany

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