Beamter/Beamtin im Auswärtigen Dienst (gehobener nichttechnischer Dienst)

Learning locations include: The Foreign Service Academy (Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs), University of Economics and Law: lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries. The Federal Foreign Office, German missions abroad: office spaces. At home (e.g., preparation and follow-up of courses, self-study, completing homework).

Amendment of the Federal Career Ordinance (Bundeslaufbahnverordnung): The new Federal Career Ordinance came into force on March 17, 2026. It opens up needs-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is, among other things, the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, access for individuals with vocational advanced training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional is now also possible in the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service.

Occupation type: Civil service training. Type of training: Studium (university studies) at the Foreign Service Academy and the University of Economics and Law, practical study periods at the Federal Foreign Office and German missions abroad. Qualification: Diploma. Duration: 3 years. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher foreign service work as case officers or heads of work units in the areas of responsibility of the Federal Foreign Office or German missions abroad. In the legal and consular sector, they process, for example, visa applications or matters related to family and nationality law. They take on case officer tasks in promoting foreign economic relations or in development policy cooperation. They collaborate, for example, with cultural organizations, academic exchange institutions, and German schools abroad, and support teachers, press representatives, or artists in administrative matters.

3 years.

The selection process is 2-stage. It consists of a written and an oral part. Both parts each consist of one or more selection elements. Written part, e.g.: aptitude diagnostic tests, general and subject-specific knowledge tests, tests on job-related personality traits, language exams in English and another foreign language. Oral part, e.g.: individual interview with a structured interview, individual interview with a psychologist, short presentation, simulation task, group task.

Structure of the Studium (university studies) in the higher foreign service: Fachtheoretischer Studienabschnitt I (Basic Studies) at the Foreign Service Academy in Berlin-Tegel (Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs): 6.5 months. Praktischer Studienabschnitt I (Domestic Internship) at the Federal Foreign Office: 5 months. Fachtheoretischer Studienabschnitt II at the University of Economics and Law in Berlin-Friedrichsfelde: 5 months. Fachtheoretischer Studienabschnitt III (Preparation for Foreign Internship) in Berlin-Tegel: 4 months. Praktischer Studienabschnitt II (Foreign Internship) at a German mission abroad: 7 months. Preparation of the Diploma thesis: 1.5 months. Fachtheoretischer Studienabschnitt IV at the Foreign Service Academy in Berlin-Tegel: 7 months. Diploma Examination (Career Examination). Total Studium duration: approx. 3 years.

Studium (university studies) fees are not charged. Travel costs or expenses for learning materials may arise. If accommodation is provided at the educational institutions, additional costs may also occur.

The Studium (university studies) content is organized in modules. Theoretical study sections include civil law, international private law, family, inheritance, and notarization law; public law, special administrative law, foreigner law, passport and nationality law, consular law; resource management, project management, grant and procurement law with a focus on political public relations and cultural work abroad, personnel administration; foundations of foreign policy action; economics, especially foreign trade promotion, international economic relations, and development cooperation. Foreign languages taught are English and French. Practical study sections at the Federal Foreign Office and German missions abroad provide professional knowledge and experience.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical Studium (university studies) sections, lectures, seminars, and evening events are attended in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the Academy of the Foreign Service and the Berlin School of Economics and Law. Practical exercises include, for example, attending language courses. Independent work involves preparing and reviewing lectures, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, and completing assignments (also during lecture-free periods). Organization requires, for example, adhering to given deadlines for presentations and assignments. During the practical Studium (university studies) sections, practical work (under guidance) includes, for example, issuing passports and undertaking tasks in budgeting, treasury, and accounting. Mobility involves, for example, completing an internship abroad at a foreign mission in Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Key qualifications such as problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills are developed.

An internship abroad takes place at a German mission abroad to prepare for foreign assignments. It lasts approximately 7 months.

The monthly gross basic salary for trainees is 1,744 Euros. In addition to the basic salary, trainee allowances include capital-forming benefits, and possibly family allowances and other surcharges, remunerations, and bonuses.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university studies): German: e.g., to prepare and give presentations. English/French: e.g., as a basis for deepening foreign language skills during Studium (university studies). Economics/Law: e.g., to understand legal and business administration course content. Geography: e.g., for contacts with authorities and institutions abroad. Mathematics: e.g., to solve economic tasks. Politics: e.g., to understand international political circumstances and contexts.

The following alternatives are available for this profession: In the field of Law and Administration, one might consider Civil Servant in General Internal Administration (higher non-technical service), Civil Servant at the Federal Intelligence Service (higher service), Civil Servant in the Federal Defence Administration (higher non-technical service), Legal Officer, State and Administrative Sciences (undergraduate), or Administrative Management, Public Management (undergraduate). The commonality among these is processing administrative procedures. In the field of Social Sciences, Political Science (undergraduate) could be an alternative. The commonality here is observing and analyzing political developments.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher foreign service is organized as a preparatory service and lasts 3 years. It is structured as a Diplomstudium (degree program) and regulated by federal ordinances. The Ausbildung concludes with the career and diploma examination.

The degree designation is Diplom-Verwaltungswirt/Diplom-Verwaltungswirtin (FH) (Diploma in Administrative Sciences from a University of Applied Sciences). The career designation is Civil Servant - Foreign Service (higher service). The responsible authority determines whether the career is offered as a Studium (university study).

After their Studium (university study), civil servants in the higher foreign service work in the headquarters of the Federal Foreign Office in Germany and in diplomatic missions worldwide. To stay up-to-date, one can undertake adaptive further training to keep their specialist knowledge current or bring it up to the latest standard. The range of topics extends from international law to foreign languages. With suitable aptitude, civil servants in the higher foreign service have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Furthermore, an advanced Studium (university study) can also be considered, for example, obtaining a Master's degree in State and Administrative Sciences.

Ordinance on the preparatory service for the higher foreign service (GADVDV), promulgated as Article 3 of the ordinance of 18.03.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 92). Ordinance on the careers of the foreign service (ADLV), promulgated as Article 1 of the ordinance of 18.03.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 92).

The Fachhochschulreife (qualification for university of applied sciences) or the allgemeine Hochschulreife (general university entrance qualification) or a comparable educational qualification is a prerequisite. Furthermore, German citizenship, good English language skills, good basic knowledge of French or another foreign language, health suitability ('suitability for tropical regions'), an extended security check according to the Security Check Act, and unrestricted worldwide willingness to be transferred are required.