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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Veterinary assistant (Tiermedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r)

Tiermedizinischer Fachangestellter / Tiermedizinische Fachangestellte

You help the vet during treatment, welcome owners and look after animals: a paid 3-year training in a veterinary practice or clinic.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€914 to €1,129gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a veterinary assistant does

Veterinary assistants help the vet with operations and X-rays, carry out laboratory tests, manage the pharmacy and look after animals on the ward. They also welcome owners.

Assist

Help the vet during operations and X-rays, prepare equipment and medicines.

Care

Look after animals on the ward, carry out laboratory tests, manage the practice pharmacy.

Welcome and advise

Receive owners, give appointments, advise on prevention and appropriate animal care.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you love animals and accept close contact with them
you are careful with medicines and hygiene
you listen well to worried owners
you keep calm when faced with a sick animal

Less suitable if…

you cannot cope with animal smells and droppings
you are uncomfortable around sick or dead animals
you refuse any on-call duty or varying hours

Advantages

Paid training from the first year
Daily work with animals
Jobs in practices, clinics or animal parks
Next steps: office management or studies

Difficulties

Close contact with sick or injured animals
Smells, droppings and sometimes work in enclosures
Emotionally difficult situations
On-call duty possible depending on workplace

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:00

Starting at the practiceYou prepare the treatment rooms and equipment, then check the morning's appointments.

08:30

Welcoming ownersYou welcome owners and their animals, register their details and show them where to wait.

10:00

Assisting in consultationYou hold the animal and pass instruments to the vet during the examination.

12:00

Sampling and laboratoryYou prepare a blood sample and carry out simple tests in the practice laboratory.

14:30

Caring for ward animalsYou feed the animals on the ward, clean the cages and check on their condition.

16:30

Pharmacy and billingYou shelve the medicines delivered, then enter the day's services for billing.

Technical skills

Assisting the vetHygiene and disinfectionLaboratory testsX-rays and radiation safetyPharmacy managementAnimal careReception and billing

Personal qualities

Love of animalsRigourComposureEmpathyTeamwork

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

≈ €914gross / month

Hygiene and protection
Reception and administration
First aid

Year 2

Animal care

≈ €1,017gross / month

Assisting examinations
Intermediate exam
Pharmacy and equipment

Year 3

Consolidation

≈ €1,129gross / month

X-rays, laboratory
Assisting treatments
Final exam

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

Exams and qualification

A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place before the end of the second year: hygiene, protection against infections and animal diseases, first aid, materials management, data. The final exam has a practical part, with a professional discussion, and a written part: treatment assistance, organisation, infectious diseases, radiation protection, economics. Qualification via the competent chamber.

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 fitnessContact with animals is close, with smells and droppings; you may work in cages, stables or enclosures. A medical certificate of fitness is required and on-call duty is possible.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified veterinary assistantJobs in veterinary practices, animal clinics or animal parks.

With experienceAdaptation coursesUpdate your skills, from medical assistance to hygiene in healthcare settings.

Longer termManagement or studiesBecome an office and project management specialist, or study veterinary medicine with a baccalaureate.

Already B2? Take action

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

Employers in the “Health and well-being” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Veterinary assistant (Tiermedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Free registration on AZUFA.

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.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+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.

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
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
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. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
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. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
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.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
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.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

Stay informed

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

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 health documents must I provide?

A medical certificate confirming your fitness for the training is requested. The practice may also require other documents, depending on its own rules.

Do I need a specific school certificate?

The law does not require a specific school certificate. In practice, a large share of trainees hold the baccalaureate, and the practice chooses its trainees.

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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 assistance Write 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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