The Ausbildungsvertrag (training contract) is the document that makes your Ausbildung place real — and it’s also the document your national visa application depends on. German law sets a legal minimum for what this contract must contain. Knowing that minimum helps you check your own contract properly before you sign, rather than trusting it blindly.
The legal basis: BBiG §11
The content requirements for a German training contract are set out in Section 11 of the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG), Germany’s Vocational Training Act. Under §11, the employer must record the essential contents of the training contract in text form immediately after it is concluded, and no later than before training begins.
What the contract must contain, at minimum
According to §11 BBiG, the contract must state:
- The name and address of both the training employer and the trainee (plus the legal representative’s details, if the trainee is a minor)
- The type, subject matter, and duration of the vocational training — specifically, the occupation being trained for
- The pay (Ausbildungsvergütung) and how it is calculated, if it consists of multiple components
- A reference to any applicable collective bargaining agreement, works agreement, or service agreement that applies to the training relationship
If any of these terms change after signing, the same content and documentation rules apply to the change.
What to actually check before you sign
- The occupation and duration match what you applied for. Confirm the exact trade (Ausbildungsberuf) and the training length stated match what was discussed at interview.
- The pay is clearly stated. If pay increases by training year, the contract should show how it’s structured, not just a single starting figure.
- Your personal details are correct — name, address, and any details that will need to match your passport and visa documents exactly.
- The start date lines up with your visa timeline. Most Ausbildung places start 1 August or 1 September; confirm the exact date on the contract.
- Any referenced collective agreement — if the contract references a Tarifvertrag or works agreement, it’s worth understanding what additional terms that brings in, since these documents govern things like working hours and leave.
Registration with the Chamber of Commerce or Crafts
After the contract is signed, the employer is responsible for registering it in the official register of training relationships (Verzeichnis der Berufsausbildungsverhältnisse), maintained by the relevant Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) for most trades, or the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer) for craft trades. This registration produces a confirmation with a registration number — worth keeping a copy of, since it can be requested as part of your visa file. Since 1 January 2021, the contract must also carry the employer’s Employment Agency operating number, used for the chambers’ statistical reporting obligations.
Why this matters for your visa
The German Mission in India’s vocational training visa checklist requires the signed training contract and its registration confirmation as part of your visa application. A contract missing required content, or not properly registered, can create problems at this stage — so it’s worth reviewing your contract against the §11 requirements above before you submit anything.
If something looks wrong
If your contract is missing information required under §11, or the terms don’t match what you agreed with the employer, raise it with the employer before signing rather than after. Employers generally register contracts through their local chamber, and errors are easier to fix before that registration happens.
Once signed, your contract becomes the anchor document for your visa documents checklist and the rest of the Ausbildung application process. See also our guide on how to get an offer letter from a German employer in the first place. Questions about a contract you’ve been offered? Contact us.
Where this comes from
Contract content requirements are drawn directly from §11 of the Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG) on gesetze-im-internet.de, the German government’s official law text portal. Visa document requirements are confirmed on the German Mission in India’s vocational training visa page.
