Internship Opportunities in Germany - Everything you need to know

If you are thinking of the country in Europe where you can do your internship program, then you should consider Germany.

There are many nationally and internationally recognized companies in Germany that are eager to hire young and ambitious students or fresh graduates.

In this article, you will find all the necessary information that will help you to land an international internship opportunity in Germany.

You will also learn about the country, the people, culture, climate and a lot more.

So, if you have a desire to run an internship program with a German company, this is your chance.

Keep reading until the end.

Why take an internship in Germany?

Doing an internship in Germany will prepare you for working life and enhance your employability by giving you skills and experiences that will help set you apart from other applicants.

Internships are beneficial because they help develop your professional aptitude, strengthen personal character, and provide a greater door to opportunity.

By investing in internships, you’ll give yourself the broadest spectrum of opportunity when seeking and applying for a job after college.

Among other things, here are some reasons for you to take an internship in Germany;

1. The people and society

Germany has a population of approximately 81 million people and is one of the most prominent economic powers in the world.

It has enviable geolocation near powers like England and France.

The Germans are educated, organised, and pragmatic; a society from which you can learn a lot.

2. Prominent cities and regions

Germany is a big and diverse country divided into regions; customs, accents, even the cuisine and the way of life vary greatly from one to another.

Most students seeking an internship in Germany, however, usually opt for main cities like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich, where you can enjoy a cosmopolitan environment.

3. Monuments and places of interest

Germany’s recent history makes it a lively and modern historical location—it is easy to find traces of the 19th-century wars when you walk through the streets of Berlin.

However, Germany is much more than war stories: Germany has highlighted places of interest, like the Brandenburg Gate or the Reichstag, and also natural parks full of local fauna and flora.

4. Major Languages

The major languages in Germany are Deutsch or German.

Interestingly, these languages have deep European roots, which has survived time thanks to the courage and pride of its people.

The Germans, besides being a cultured society that admires art, science, and literature, also accept English as a commonly spoken language.

5. Climate

The climate in Germany, one could say, is moderate and windy.

By having regions both by the sea and in the interior, Germany´s climate appears diverse; but ultimately, quite cold in the winter, and relatively hot in the summer.

Still, although not your usual beach destination, Germany´s nature could dazzle anyone and deserves to be seen.

6. Traditional festivals

The day of the Unification of Germany is commemorated every October 3rd.

However, its most renowned festival is the famous Oktoberfest held every year between mid-September and early October.

Oktoberfest is a beer festival that celebrates family, friendship, music, fun, and above all, during which you can enjoy a good pitcher of Marsen.

Marsen is a type of beer bearing this name due to its production in March.

Do I need a visa to do an internship in Germany?

Whether you need a visa or not to do an internship in Germany totally depends on your nationality.

Citizens of EU and EEA countries don’t need a visa for the purpose of doing an internship in Germany.

If you’re not a citizen of any of these countries, then you will have to get a German training/internship visa.

You will be needing the following documents to apply for an internship visa in Germany:

A Valid Passport
The permission to work in Germany (issued by the Bundesagentur fur Arbeit)
Approval letter from your employer in Germany
Educational qualification
Proof of health insurance (Learn more)
We recommend you take a health insurance plan tailored for interns/trainees in Germany such as EDUCARE24, which covers everything you need to do an internship in Germany and is affordable.
Proof of financial resources (Learn more)
You will need to prove to the German consulate authorities that you have enough financial resources to live in Germany for at least one year. If your internship is unpaid or doesn’t cover the full costs of living in Germany, you need to open a German Blocked Account.
Proof of Accommodation in Germany

For more information about training/internship visas in Germany, this article covers all the details.

How to find an internship in Germany?

Finding an internship in Germany is not that hard actually because there are many helpful resources.

But for many, unfortunately, it is, so it’s good to list those resources for those who may not know.

1. Your university

If you’re studying in Germany or you just have completed your degree in Germany, your university must be the first port to call for your internship.

Typically, German universities have a specific office for career counselling and they maintain strong links with local recruiters.

They can provide you with a complete list of available internship options and can offer useful advice about what would best fit you because they normally have more information about that employer.

Officials there can also arrange for you a meeting or an interview with a certain employer.

On top of that, career consultants can help you present yourself as well as possible by providing interview tips.

2. Local agencies

Internship agencies are also a great resource to find an internship in Germany.

There are many of them and some of them may have a wide network of partners.

These agencies keep students and graduates updated with any available internship program.

Here’s a list of resources to help you score that internship in Germany and anywhere abroad:

XING: Essentially the DACH version of Linkedin. If there’s an internship in a German-speaking country, it’s on XING. You need an account to view the opportunities, though. Are you in for an internship in Hamburg?
Linkedin: An obvious choice, but a powerful one! Pretty much every company ever is on Linkedin. And Berlin has more internships to offer!
Mein Praktikum: A german website dedicated solely to interns! Only available in German, but with some Deepl or Google translate magic, you should be fine!
Stepstone: Another German career website that offers numerous internships suitable for English speakers!

3. Participate Career Fairs

Career fairs are another great opportunity to get closer to a potential employer.

Commonly there are people who are going to present and explain in details numerous internship opportunities for you.

Use online means to keep track of these events and attend them regularly.

Often the company’s representatives get your information and if there’s any available place in their workplace they will reach you over the phone or email.

4. Contact employers personally

If none of the above work out, you can still rely on yourself.

Many students or graduates look out independently for available internships in Germany and you can do exactly the same.

Identify some companies whose profile is interesting and see if they offer internship programs.

Usually, on their official website, there is a specific section about available internship places.

You can reach them by mail to make an appointment for an eye-to-eye interview at their offices.

With this strategy, you may find an internship position with large corporate companies or even startups.

Top corporate companies that accept interns in Germany

Larger corporations are very popular among international students!

That’s because these companies are always on the hunt for new talent.

An internship with these bigger companies means options in many different departments as well as more data to work with.

These companies are often also a lot more generous with their pay for interns, but landing a position here can get quite competitive.

That said, it will look great on your resume and could land you a nice position out of the gate.

Here is a list of the top companies in Germany for an internship:

1. Zalando

This company has its headquarters in Berlin and they are into fashion and logistics.

So, if you have an interest in fashion or logistics, then this industry leader has a variety of internships available.

Many interns decide to continue to grow with Zalando, as they can opt for a student job.

2. McKinsey & Company

This company is one of the most reputable consulting agency in the world with its reach spread globally.

This company has spread over 65 countries and offers internships for undergraduate degrees and also to MBA candidates.

Even if you are an advanced professional degree student, they also have internships suited to you.

You can explore nine offices in Germany, including Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt, and even set your sights on graduate engineering jobs down the line.

3. Google

This company needs no further introduction other than its name.

You probably found this website on Google.

Now imaging doing your internship with Google in Germany.

That will be really amazing!

Put your business and technology skills to the ultimate use!

This global leader has offices in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg.

4. Rocket Internet

This company also offers internship positions to international students who which to intern in Germany.

It is known for branding startups, including Zalando, and has its main headquarters located in Berlin.

5. Amazon

Like Google, Amazon is yet another well-known name that offers internships throughout Germany.

They have locations in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf.

6. Adidas

The super-popular German sportswear manufacturer offers a wide range of internship opportunities.

Its main headquarters are in Herzogenaurach.

7. SAP

This German software company is another excellent option for internships, especially those who have technological-related career paths.

SAP has offices all over the world, but it is headquartered in Walldorf.

Top startup companies in Germany for an internship

Another good source of internships for internationals is the wealth of startups in Germany.

Startup companies are usually small, with tight budgets but great opportunities.

You’ll find quite a few startups that use English as their company language alongside the small communities that expatriates at these companies tend to form.

While interning at a startup might not be as prestigious, it will offer you a wider range of activities and responsibilities.

Small companies grow quickly and are considerably more agile than large corporations.

If you can leverage your ingenuity, you can implement changes that have a direct impact on the success of the company, leading to opportunities to grow with the company after your internship.

The only downside is that startups are often strapped for budgets, so don’t expect to earn more than the already impressive minimum wage.

Top German startups for internship in 2021:

Here you’ll find some of the fastest-growing startups in Germany right now!

A growing startup is often an intern-hungry startup!

They might not always be listing an internship, but if your skills meet their needs, even an unsolicited application could land you a position!