Internship Visa Germany 2026: Requirements & Process

An internship visa for Germany is a national visa that allows a non-EU national to complete an internship at a German company — usually under §16e of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) or, for students of foreign universities after their fourth semester, under §15 No. 6 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV). Many internships need no approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; field-related internships of foreign students need its agreement. In relokate’s cases the process takes 8–18 weeks from start to first day, and the visa usually has to be issued before the intern’s first day.

All figures and thresholds in this article reflect the legal situation in 2026; processing times are from relokate’s cases.

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?

A non-EU national who wants to complete an internship in Germany and is currently living outside the country generally needs a German internship visa. A residence permit from another European country — Dutch, French or Swedish, for example — does not in itself grant the right to work or intern in Germany: the Schengen rules cover short stays and travel, not employment.

In short: if the intern holds a non-EU passport and currently lives abroad, they need a German internship visa before their first day — unless the internship is short enough to fall under the 90-day rule below.

Interns who already live in Germany on a German student residence permit usually need no separate internship 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 routes: §16e AufenthG and §15 No. 6 BeschV. Both require:

• A signed internship contract
• A detailed internship plan (Praktikumsplan)
• Proof that the intern can cover their living costs in Germany
• Under §15 No. 6 BeschV: the agreement of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA); under §16e: a written cost undertaking by the host company instead

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 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 — at least the maximum BAföG rate, which is €992 net per month in 2026 (Sources: Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Make it in Germany). 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 generally not exempt from the statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohngesetz). In 2026 the minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour — about €2,400 gross a month at 40 hours a week (§1 MiLoV5). Exempt are voluntary internships of up to three months for career orientation or alongside studies, provided the intern has not done such an internship with your company before (§22 MiLoG) — the intern must then show at least €992 a month for living costs. The employer must provide evidence of the pay through the internship contract or a separate salary confirmation.

Under both routes the internship must have a direct, demonstrable connection to the intern’s field of study — under §16e it must match the degree or studies in field and level. A generic or unrelated placement does not qualify.

§16e AufenthG or §15 No. 6 BeschV: which route applies to your intern?

Graduates of the last two years and students on placements of up to six months usually fit §16e, which needs no BA involvement. Students of foreign universities after their fourth semester on longer placements of up to a year use §15 No. 6 BeschV. Internships that fit none of the categories in §15 BeschV generally have no legal basis for a visa. §16a AufenthG, sometimes mentioned in this context, covers vocational training and in-company further training — not internships in general.

When Does the Bundesagentur für Arbeit Have to Agree?

Many internships need no approval from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) (§15 BeschV), including every §16e internship and internships within EU-funded programmes such as Erasmus. For field-related internships of foreign students (§15 No. 6) and international exchange programmes (§15 No. 4), the BA’s ZAV must agree before the embassy can issue the visa. Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland need neither a visa nor the BA.

For §15 No. 6 the BA checks that the university is listed in anabin as H+ or H+/-, that the internship is closely linked to the studies and supervised by qualified staff, and that the intern gets the same conditions as comparable domestic interns. The employer — or a third party it authorises — applies with the internship contract, internship plan, and supporting documents, no earlier than six months before the planned start date. In relokate’s cases the BA answers in about two weeks.

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

In relokate’s cases, the total timeline from starting the process to the intern’s first day in Germany is 8–18 weeks, 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 check which legal route fits (§16e AufenthG or §15 BeschV), prepare the application for the BA’s agreement where one is needed, coordinate with the foreign university for the compulsory-placement letter where needed, explain the options for proving living costs (Sperrkonto or 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 visa 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. Pricing combines an annual software & compliance subscription with a price per case — cases start from €950, and for your first case the software is free.

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 permit after graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Internship Visa in Germany

Related glossary terms