How does the programme operate in Germany?
The Language Assistants Programme is a bi-lateral mobility programme. We work with our partner organisation, Pädagogischer Austauschdienst des Sekretariats der Kultusministerkonferenz (PAD), to send English Language Assistants to primary and secondary schools in Germany.
You can find a timeline of what to expect if you apply for Germany in the lifecycle document at the bottom of this page.
Am I eligible for a placement in Germany?
To be a Language Assistant in Germany, you must:
- fulfil the general eligibility criteria
- hold a UK, Irish or EU passport or a passport from one of the countries listed here Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) § 41 Vergünstigung für Angehörige bestimmter Staaten.
- have A2-level German. Please note however that Assistants will be expected to be able to communicate and complete the necessary administration procedures in German.
- be aged 35 or under in mid-September 2025.
- have completed at least two years of secondary school education in the UK and hold a Level 3 qualification (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or SCQF Level 6 qualification (Scotland) at the time of application.
When will I start my placement?
Full-year placements in Germany will run from mid-September 2025 to 31 May 2026.
Short, first-semester placements will run from mid-September 2025 to 28 February 2026.
Will there be an induction course?
A virtual induction is usually run by our partner agency in Germany, the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD) in August. You will be invited to the induction course by the PAD via email.
How many hours will I work per week?
Language Assistants in Germany can expect to work approximately 12 hours per week. Please be aware that the number of hours and your specific timetable can vary depending on the region and institution that you are allocated to.
What holidays will I have?
In Germany the academic calendar runs from September to June. Typically, Assistants can expect to receive the same school and national holidays as their institution.
Holidays often vary by region and sometimes institution. Your institution will give you full details of your term dates when you begin your post. Germany has many official public holidays every year, some observed nationwide, some local. To get an idea what the academic calendar may look like, you can browse this website.
What type of institution will I be working in?
The majority of placements in Germany are in secondary schools, with a small number of postings in the primary schools.
How many posts are available in Germany?
Every year there are approximately 220 posts available in Germany in all areas of the 16 Bundesländer (federal states).
Posts are available for undergraduates and graduates, however, undergraduates on a compulsory year abroad will be prioritised during the matching process.
Where can I go in Germany?
Although the general perception of Germany is that of a heavily urbanised country, many of the assistantships are located in rural areas. Please be prepared to be allocated to such areas.
You can choose three options from the list of geographical regions in bold below, ranking them in your order of preference. You may also select 'No Preference'.
You should expect to be allocated anywhere within the given region, as the town and school allocation will be decided by the educational authorities of the Bundesländer, not the British Council. If you wish to be allocated to a particular Bundesland within one of the geographical regions, we recommend that you state this preference clearly in your application.
Please note you will only be considered for Berlin if it is your first choice. Berlin is heavily oversubscribed each year and consequently many applicants are allocated elsewhere even if they put Berlin as their first choice. Please keep this in mind when choosing your preferences. Placements in the geographical region ‘Ost’ may be close to Berlin, so we recommend considering ‘Ost’ as one of your preferences if you wish to be allocated near Berlin.
- Nord: Bremen (HB) - Hamburg (HH) - Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) - Niedersachsen (NI) - Schleswig-Holstein (SH)
- Süd: Baden-Württemberg (BW) - Bayern (BY) - Hessen (HE)
- Ost: Brandenburg (BB) - Sachsen (SN) - Sachsen-Anhalt (ST) - Thüringen (TH)
- West: Nordrhein-Westfalen (NW) - Rheinland-Pfalz (RP) - Saarland (SL)
- Berlin: Berlin (BE)
If you have already had contact with a particular school in Germany, you should enclose a letter from them in your application form. You will be able to explain and give reasons for your preferences in the application form.
The final decision on where you will be placed rests with our German partner organisation and the Bundesländer. We are not able to guarantee any particular region or school. We recommend you research the different regions of Germany before applying.
How much will I be paid?
Assistants will receive a grant of approximately €1,000 net per month.
Please note that our overseas partners and employing institutions are ultimately responsible for setting the salary of Language Assistants and this amount should therefore be treated as indicative and may be subject to change.
What are the costs involved?
Applicants should also be aware that there are costs associated with moving to Germany. However, these costs should not come all at once as they will occur at different stages of the process, from visa application to arrival in Germany. Costs are likely to include:
Pre-departure:
- International Child Protection Certificate (£90)
- Travel costs to placement location
- Health and travel insurance to cover your stay in Germany before the start of your placement
In post (before receiving first payment):
- Accommodation costs including initial temporary accommodation and deposit for permanent accommodation in Germany. ELAs in Germany are eligible to apply for Wohngeld, a type of housing benefit, to help cover the costs of accommodation.
- Costs for initial few months – You may not receive your first payment until late November, so you will need sufficient funds for this time. Previous assistants have recommended budgeting for at least two months without pay (approx. €1.000-1.500)
- Health insurance for any conditions not covered by the health insurance provided by PAD and Bernhard Assekuranzmakler GmbH (see document at the bottom of this page)
We encourage you to read more about the monthly allowance and how much money we recommend budgeting for Germany in section 8 of the destination guide (available at the bottom of this page).
Will I need a visa?
Assistants going to Germany who do not have an EU-passport or pre-existing residency in Germany will be required to apply for a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) once you have arrived at your destination. You must ensure your passport is valid 6 months beyond the end of your assistantship and has been issued within the last ten years (even if it has six months or more left).
No entry visa is required; however, you must ensure you have a sufficient number of visa-free days in the Schengen area remaining to enter Germany and apply for the Residence Permit. If you do not have sufficient visa-free days remaining, you may alternatively apply for a D-Visa at the German Embassy in London before travelling to Germany. All successful applicants will be provided with comprehensive guidance.
The Residence Permit does not allow Language Assistants to obtain official secondary employment in Germany.
Visa requirements can change at short notice, and the British Council cannot be held responsible for any changes to the visa process or to the approximate costs listed above which have been given as a guide only. If allocated a placement, you will receive the most up-to-date information for the processes. You should not apply until you have been instructed to do so by the team.
Measles Protection Act (Masernschutzgesetz)
In accordance with the German Measles Protection Act (Masernschutzgesetz), Assistants in Germany will be required to obtain and provide evidence in relation to their immunity to or vaccination against measles prior to the start of their placement. Obtaining such documentation is necessary only once the placement has been confirmed.
Please carefully consult the information provided by our German partner organisation, the PAD, about the “Masernschutzgesetz” and its impact on the Language Assistants programme in Germany on the PAD website.
I've worked as a Language Assistant in Germany – can I apply again?
Assistants currently working in Germany can apply for a consecutive year through the PAD.
Consecutive year Assistants can ask to remain at the same school or request a change to their school or region.
If you have previously been an Assistant in Germany but are not currently and would like to apply to the programme again, please follow the guidance for returning applicants.
Where can I get information about my placement from?
The guide for Language Assistants in Germany 2024-25 is available below. This information has been provided for reference and is subject to change each year. Updated guidance for Assistants going out on placement in 2025-26 will be available in summer 2025.