Who can do a part-time Ausbildung?

Anyone: the Vocational Training Act says an Ausbildung can be carried out in part-time, without requiring a reason. It is often used by parents and people caring for a relative.

The daily or weekly training time can be cut by at most 50 per cent.

Yes, correspondingly, but at most one and a half times the full-time length set for that occupation (rounded down to whole months).

Agree it with the company: the shorter hours are written into the training contract, for the whole training or a part of it.

Ausbildung · part-time

Part-time Ausbildung (Teilzeitausbildung)

Any Ausbildung in Germany can be done in part-time, with up to half the hours. For parents and anyone caring for someone, it is the way into a qualification.

Figures last confirmed 9 October 2026 against the official sources linked below.

What the law says

The Ausbildung can be carried out in part-time; the shorter daily or weekly hours are agreed in the training contract.
The cut may not be more than 50 per cent.
The training lasts correspondingly longer, at most one and a half times the full-time length.

Vocational Training Act §7a · Federal Employment Agency: Ausbildung in part-time

How to find a place

Book free careers advice at the employment agency: they know which companies near you train in part-time. Careers advice
Say in your application that you would like part-time hours, and why.
If the training pay is not enough to live on, ask about the vocational training allowance (BAB). BAB

Questions people ask

Who can do a part-time Ausbildung?: Anyone: the Vocational Training Act says an Ausbildung can be carried out in part-time, without requiring a reason. It is often used by parents and people caring for a relative.
How many hours?: The daily or weekly training time can be cut by at most 50 per cent.
Does it take longer?: Yes, correspondingly, but at most one and a half times the full-time length set for that occupation (rounded down to whole months).
How do I get it?: Agree it with the company: the shorter hours are written into the training contract, for the whole training or a part of it.

Your own numbers and dates

Ambiful Abroad works this out for your degree, city and intake, then dates every step back from your deadline. Free on iPhone and Android.

General information, not legal or visa advice. The German mission and the authorities decide.