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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Drugstore assistant (Drogist/in)

Drogist / Drogistin

You advise customers on cosmetics, health and household products and look after the shelves: a 36-month training, paid from the first year, in a drugstore or a supermarket department.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,087 to €1,340gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a Drogist does

The Drogist advises on skincare, supplements and over-the-counter remedies, runs the till, orders and stores stock, and makes the department look attractive.

Advise

Inform customers about cosmetic ingredients and how to use over-the-counter or plant-protection products.

Manage the shelves

Order, receive and store items, help choose the range and keep track of stock levels.

Present

Arrange the sales area and window, prepare promotions and operate the till.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you enjoy advising people and talking with customers
  • you are interested in cosmetics, health and well-being
  • you are careful with money and safety rules
  • you are happy to work on Saturdays

Less suitable if…

  • you dislike constant contact with the public
  • you struggle with product smells and artificial lighting
  • you have no taste for figures and price calculations

Advantages

  • Paid from the first year
  • Qualification recognised across Germany
  • Varied work: advice, stock, till, windows
  • Further training is possible afterwards

Difficulties

  • Saturday work
  • Long hours on your feet in the shop
  • Artificial light and product smells
  • Advising in German is demanding at first
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Opening the departmentCheck stock, put out new arrivals and label prices before customers come in.
Cosmetics adviceExplain the ingredients of a skincare product and suggest an alternative suited to the customer.
Receiving goodsCheck a delivery, verify quantities and quality, then store the items.
Running the tillTake payments, give change and prepare the cash-up.
Dressing the windowPrepare a display of promotional items to catch the eye of passers-by.
Restocking orderSpot missing items and prepare the order in the merchandise system.

Technical skills

Cosmetics adviceOver-the-counter productsGoods receipt and storageStock controlTill and cash handlingMerchandising and windowsRules on hazardous products

Personal qualities

People skillsReliabilityOrganisationListeningNumeracy
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

Learning the drugstore

≈ €1,087gross / month
  • Basic advice and selling
  • Cosmetics, hygiene, receiving
  • Safety, hazardous products
Year 2

Widening the range

≈ €1,201gross / month
  • Food and skincare products
  • Sales accounting and buying
  • Intermediate exam
Year 3

Working independently

≈ €1,340gross / month
  • Bookkeeping and stock
  • Advertising and promotion
  • Final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) of up to 180 minutes takes place in the middle of the second year. The final exam has three written papers (drugstore operations, goods and selling, economics and social studies) and a practical exercise of up to 45 minutes, under the authority of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). You receive the IHK final certificate for the occupation of Drogist.
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 fitnessThe job means standing, handling boxes on the shelves and coping with constant artificial lighting and some smells from cosmetic or cleaning products.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified DrogistJobs in drugstores, supermarket departments or wholesale of cosmetics.
With experienceStore managerLead a team, run a sales outlet or move into specialist advice.
Longer termHandelsfachwirt or degreeTake the Handelsfachwirt (retail business specialist) or study with university access.
Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Trade and sales” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Drugstore assistant (Drogist/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.
How is a Drogist different from a pharmacist?
A Drogist sells cosmetics, health products, supplements and over-the-counter remedies, but is not a pharmacist.
Can I keep training afterwards?
Yes. The Handelsfachwirt is the most common route, and with university entry a Bachelor in retail management is possible.
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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