Internships in Germany

Work Experience & International Internships in Germany

Berlin is one of the most popular places to intern in German and you can search our featured companies and internship placements above. Some companies charge a registration fee to help you secure a placement with a reputable company, this is a good way to go if you are struggling to get a placement. Other places you can look is Linkedin.

Where you intern really depends on your background and what area of work you are looking to go into. There are multinational companies where you can learn and develop technical skills, some offering attractive benefits including a stipend salary.

Here are some of the top reasons to gain work experience in Germany:

Gain experience
You'll get lots of time to explore and see new places on cultural programs experiencing a new culture
Learn a new language and improve your CV / resume
Live abroad
Meet new people
Learn new skills

Dates & Duration

You can join all year round
You will usually need to start on a Monday
Internship duration: Usually 4 weeks - 12 weeks + longer on request
Summer internships in Germany are very popular and you will need to get your application in early to guarantee a placement

Paid Internships in Germany

Because of the popularity of this city it can be difficult to get a paid internship straight away, but if you do your research in advance of departing you can find paid internships in places like Berlin. The internship we promote will require you to pay a fee to get a placement, but usually this includes a salary.

Internships with Startups in Germany

Germany is home to lots of startups, this city is now being called the 'Silicoln Valley of Europe' with so many entrepreneurs being based here. Internships with startups are usually unpaid and difficult to secure, sometimes its who you know not what you know or you might get lucky and see an advert of social media.

Sometimes you need to be a bit choosey when it comes to interning with a startup, you can end up being working hard for little or no money and not gain that many new skills to add to your CV. To get an internship with a start up you might want to browse websites like Berlin Startup Jobs, Venture Village and The Local.

Also be sure to check to see if the startup is reputable e.g. been going for more than 1 year, has investors and future prospects - you don't want to waste your time and energy on a project which isn't successful of beneficial to your learning.

Top Tips to Secure Employment after an Internship

There are lots of things you can do to improve your chances of getting a full time job offer during an internship in Berlin but this is no guarantee.

Try to learn as much as possible, internships are all about learning new skills so focus and make a good impression
Make friends and contacts with as many people as possible - people are your best way to improve your career and by attending events, social do's and meetings you will broaden your horizorns and maybe meet a different employer
Get yourself registered with social websites like Startup Digest and Meetup
Make sure you ask questions and take initiative during your placement - this might give you an advantage over the other interns
Improve or learn German, especially if you would like to stay in this city/country - adding an extra language to your CV / resume will boost career prospects.

Eligibility

Placements are available for participants aged 18+
Due to visa restrictions, participants must be citizens of the European Union, United States of America, Switzerland, Japan or Australia. If you are an Indian citizen or student you will need to apply through a company in your home country
Might need to provide proof of your health insurance, personal/public liability insurance and your accident insurance
You will need an up to date CV (preferably written in German), an application letter and a photocopy of your passport
You might need to take a phone interview before joining to assess suitability
You need at least beginner level of the German language

Cost of Living

Berlin is well know for having a low cost of living compared to other European cities like London and Paris, but in recent years rents and other things have gone up. You will need some savings especially if you are doing an unpaid internship, even paid internships usually only pay around €300-800 per month.

General monthly cost of living in Berlin per month:

Rent: €250 - €400 (shared accommodation)
Food: €150 - €200
Going Out: €100 - €200
Transport:: it costs €78 for a monthly BVG pass. You might also like to walk, or buy a bike which can be cheap especially if second hand
Intern Salary: Around €500 per month