Study-related internship EU

Study-related internship in the EU

Here you will find information on the following question:

What requirements do I have to meet in order to receive a residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany?

Please do not forget that you always have to meet the general requirements for your stay in Germany. Information can be found here.

Prerequisites for the stay for the purpose of study-related internship EU (§ 16e AufenthG)

Table of contents:

Purpose of the stay
Requirements
Specifics
Legal background

1. Purpose of Stay

The EU residence permit for the purpose of study-related internships gives those who have completed a university degree or are currently studying at a university the opportunity to complete an internship in Germany. The internship must be technically related to your studies. The university degree already acquired must have been obtained in the last 2 years prior to the application. The internship contract must contain certain information, which is listed below.

2. Requirements

Securing the livelihood
Participation in an internship
which serves to gather knowledge, practical knowledge and experience in the professional environment,
provides for theoretical and practical training measures and
technically corresponds to the level of a degree or university degree
Internship agreement with the following information:
Description of the internship program and the educational goal or the Learning skills
Duration of the internship
Conditions, supervision and working hours of the activity
Legal relationship with the internship company
Proof of a degree or university degree (degree may not have been obtained more than 2 years ago)
Written commitment by the internship company to assume the costs, that could arise from public authorities up to 6 months after the end of the internship

3. Specifics

This residence permit can only be granted for the agreed duration of the internship, but for a maximum of 6 months. It cannot be extended. In the case of a longer internship, a grant for further training (§ 16a I 1 AufenthG) or for job search (§ 20 I 2, II AufenthG) can be considered.

4. Legal Background

According to § 16e AufenthG, a residence permit is issued for the purpose of an internship. To do this, the general granting requirements set out in Section 5 (1) of the Residence Act must first be met. In addition, the internship must serve to acquire knowledge, practical knowledge and experience in a professional environment. An agreement with an internship company must be submitted, which provides for theoretical and practical training measures and describes the internship program including the educational objective or learning skills. The agreement must state the duration, conditions of the activity, supervision, working hours and the legal relationship between the intern and the internship company. In addition, proof of current studies or the acquisition of a university degree no more than 2 years ago must be provided. The study must lead to a university degree. The internship must correspond to the subject and level of the course or university degree. The internship company must undertake in writing to assume the costs incurred by public authorities up to six months after the end of the internship agreement (e.g. for the applicant’s livelihood).

The reasons for rejection according to § 19f I, III and IV AufenthG apply. This is the case, for example, if the internship provider does not guarantee an internship as intended for the reasons listed in § 19f IV No. 1 - 5 AufenthG or there are concrete reasons for the fact that the purpose of the stay is "internship".