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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Hairdresser (Friseur/in)

Friseur / Friseurin

You advise, cut, colour and style hair: a paid 3-year training leading to the Gesellenbrief and a creative career in a salon.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€740 to €1,000gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a hairdresser does

Hairdressers advise customers on hair care and the style that suits them, wash, cut, colour and shape hair. They also look after beards, make-up and sales.

Advise

Choose with the customer the cut and care that suit their hair, face and wishes.

Style

Wash, cut, colour, wave or straighten hair, trim and care for beards.

Beautify and sell

Tint eyebrows, apply make-up, give manicures, sell cosmetics and hair products.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you have dexterity and good hand-eye coordination
  • you have a sense of aesthetics, shape and colour
  • you enjoy advising and serving customers
  • you are ready to work Saturdays, the usual salon day

Less suitable if…

  • you dislike constant contact with customers
  • you cannot cope with hair colouring chemicals
  • you want high pay from the start of your training

Advantages

  • Paid training from the first year
  • Creative work, visible results every day
  • Gesellenbrief recognised across Germany
  • Options: make-up, colouring, long hair styling

Difficulties

  • Saturday work is usual
  • Constant customer contact, service required
  • Training pay among the lowest in the crafts
  • Colouring products to handle with care
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Getting the salon readyYou set up the workstations, products and towels with the team before customers arrive.
Shampoo and careYou welcome the customer, wash their hair and give a scalp treatment, wearing gloves.
Mixing a colourYou prepare a hair colour following the hairdresser's instructions, then apply it.
A classic haircutYou cut a customer's hair using basic techniques, supervised by a professional.
Shaping and stylingYou dry, brush and style as the customer wishes, then check the result.
Till, sales and tidyingYou take payment, recommend a care product, then clean the tools and the salon.

Technical skills

Hair cuttingHair colouringHair shapingHair and scalp careMake-up and manicureAdvice and salesHygiene and safety

Personal qualities

CreativityDexterityPeople skillsSense of stylePunctuality
The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company
1–2 days school
Year 1

The basics

≈ €740gross / month
  • Welcome, advice and sales
  • Washing and caring for hair
  • Classic cuts
Year 2

Techniques

≈ €860gross / month
  • Shaping hair
  • Colouring techniques
  • Exam part 1
Year 3

Specialisation

≈ €1,000gross / month
  • Make-up and manicure
  • Option chosen in the contract
  • Part 2 of the final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: ausbildung.de, convention collective Friseurhandwerk, exemple Rhénanie-Palatinat, depuis août 2025 (hors convention : salaire minimum légal, plus bas). These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification
The Gesellenprüfung (journeyman's exam) has two parts. Part 1, in the middle of the second year, covers basic hairdressing work and counts for 25%. Part 2, at the end of training, counts for 75%: hairdressing and cosmetic services, techniques, organisation, economics. Qualification: the Gesellenbrief, issued through the Chamber of Crafts (HWK).
Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.
German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.
Physical fitnessYou work in a salon in constant contact with customers, wearing gloves for washing and colouring. Saturday work is usual.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified hairdresserJobs in hair salons, beauty salons, wellness hotels or film and theatre productions.
With experienceAdditional qualificationsExtend your training, for example in make-up artistry, to widen the services you offer.
Longer termMeister or self-employedTake the Meister (master craftsman) or open your own hair salon.
Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Crafts, design and creative trades” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Hairdresser (Friseur/in)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Take the test
Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64
Need assistance
Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses
Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

Go to AZUFA

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
  1. 1

    Check my eligibility

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  3. 3

    Learn German, from A1 to B2

    DZKDZK
    Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  5. 5

    Find the company and sign the training contract

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    KAGEDEV e.V.KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
See the detail of the 8 steps
  1. 1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
  2. 2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
  3. 3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
    Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
  4. 4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
  5. 5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
    We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
  6. 6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
  7. 7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
  8. 8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
  1. 1

    Check my eligibility

    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  3. 3

    Learn German, from A1 to B2

    Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.

    DZKRun by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  5. 5

    Find the company and sign the training contract

    We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA · It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.

    KAGEDEV e.V.Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA · It is always us

Stay informed

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFA
AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
See AZUFA
DZK
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
See the offer
Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure
Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure
Flyer
FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer
Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?
Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.
How long does the training last?
36 months, i.e. 3 years.
Am I paid during the training?
Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.
Where can I learn German?
In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.
What is a “Gesellenbrief”?
It is the qualification obtained at the end of a crafts training. It certifies that you are a skilled worker in the trade.
What is an optional qualification unit?
You choose a speciality written into the contract: make-up artistry, long hair styling, hairpieces or colouring. It adds to the common core of the training.
In the same category

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistanceWrite on WhatsApp
Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64
Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon
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