Beamter/Beamtin im Auswärtigen Dienst (mittlerer Dienst)

Learning locations are: Foreign Service Academy (Akademie Auswärtiger Dienst): Classrooms, language labs (classroom-based instruction). Central office of the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), foreign missions: Office spaces.

Occupation type: Civil service training. Type of training: Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), regulated by federal ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: 2 years, of which 9 months are spent at a foreign mission. Learning locations: Foreign Service Academy, central office of the Federal Foreign Office, foreign missions. What does one do in this profession? Civil servants in the intermediate foreign service (Beamte und Beamtinnen im mittleren Auswärtigen Dienst) primarily work in file management. As registrars, they ensure that the diverse correspondence of the Federal Foreign Office and foreign missions is logically organized and that processes can be easily retrieved in electronic file management systems. At foreign missions, they also handle cash and accounting tasks for the embassy or consulate general as payment office administrators. This involves large sums: from telephone bills to major construction projects, from project-related expenses for cultural work to development aid measures.

Job title: Civil servant in the intermediate foreign service (Beamter/Beamtin im mittleren Auswärtigen Dienst). Occupation type: Civil service training/Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst). Training duration: 2 years. Entry requirement: Usually a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) or a lower secondary school leaving certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) and a completed (at least 3-year) beneficial vocational training (Berufsausbildung). What does one do in this profession? Civil servants in the intermediate foreign service primarily work in file management. As registrars, they ensure that the diverse correspondence of the Federal Foreign Office and foreign missions is logically organized and that processes can be easily retrieved in electronic file management systems. At foreign missions, they also handle cash and accounting tasks for the embassy or consulate general as payment office administrators. This involves large sums: from telephone bills to major construction projects, from project-related expenses for cultural work to development aid measures.

2 years

The selection process consists of a written and an oral part. The written selection process includes aptitude tests in cognitive skills, job-related personality traits and personal suitability, general knowledge and subject-specific knowledge, as well as a written language test in English. The oral part of the selection process primarily tests social skills, the necessary motivation for the Foreign Service, and communication skills. The oral part consists of an individual interview with a structured or semi-structured interview, a simulation task, a group task, and an individual interview with a consulting psychologist. In addition, a health check and a security clearance according to the Security Clearance Act (SÜG) are carried out.

Structure of the preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) in the intermediate foreign service: Introductory course (including a two-week IT course) at the Foreign Service Academy (Akademie Auswärtiger Dienst): 6 months. Domestic internship at the central office of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin: 2 months. Foreign internship at a German foreign mission worldwide: 9 months. Final course at the Foreign Service Academy: 7 months. Career examination. Total training duration: 24 months.

No tuition fees or course fees are charged. However, travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

During the theoretical Ausbildung (vocational training), knowledge is acquired in areas such as the fundamentals of public law (especially constitutional law and general administrative law), special administrative law (especially immigration law, passport and nationality law, consular law, and public service law), civil law, resource management (especially budget, treasury, and accounting, procurement law, and travel expense law), administrative organization (especially knowledge management, business processes, and real estate management). Foreign languages, specifically English and one other foreign language, are also learned. During the practical Ausbildung (vocational training) at the headquarters of the Federal Foreign Office (domestic internship), one learns about the structure and organization of the Foreign Service, the theory and practice of official correspondence, business procedures, e-file management, and secrecy regulations, among other things. The foreign internship at a German mission abroad includes an introduction.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical Ausbildung (vocational training) phases, there is classroom instruction, possibly project work, and self-study of content at home. During the practical Ausbildung (vocational training) phases, there is practical work under supervision, such as answering phone calls, filling out forms, and assisting with case processing tasks. Requirements include flexibility (adapting to changing working conditions and foreign cultures in various missions abroad), communication skills (e.g., making inquiries to authorities abroad and responding to their questions), diligence (e.g., when maintaining e-files), and intercultural competence (working at missions abroad worldwide, considering the political, social, cultural, and economic conditions in the host country).

Foreign Internships: To prepare for later assignments abroad, an approximately 9-month foreign internship at a German mission abroad is planned.

The monthly gross basic salary for civil service candidates in federal agencies is 1,473 Euros. Source: dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion, as of March 2024. Note: In addition to the basic salary, the candidate's remuneration includes capital-forming benefits, and possibly family allowances and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for successful Ausbildung (vocational training): German is essential for handling correspondence during the training. English: Good English skills are required for admission to the preparatory service, and foreign language training in English and a secondary language is part of the Ausbildung. Mathematics: Knowledge of mathematics is needed, for example, to handle billing transactions with payment offices of missions abroad or to calculate travel and relocation costs. Economics/Law: Civil service candidates learn to apply legal regulations and process accounts during their training. Solid economic and legal knowledge is therefore essential. History/Politics/Social Studies: Understanding international relations and their historical backgrounds is indispensable for working as an official.

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant in the middle foreign service: Area of Law and Administration: Civil Servant in General Internal Administration (middle non-technical service), Civil Servant at the Federal Intelligence Service (middle non-technical service), Civil Servant in the Justice Service (middle non-technical service), Civil Servant in the Federal Defense Administration (middle non-technical service). Commonality: Processing administrative procedures.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the middle foreign service takes place as a 2-year Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory service). It is regulated by federal ordinances and leads to a Laufbahnprüfung (career examination).

Career title: Civil Servant - Foreign Service (middle service). Note: The competent authority determines whether the career is offered as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

Finding the right area of deployment after Ausbildung (vocational training): Civil servants in the middle foreign service work in the headquarters and foreign missions of the Federal Foreign Office. Staying up to date: Professional knowledge is kept current or brought up to date through Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive further training). The range of topics extends from international law to foreign languages. Career advancement: With appropriate aptitude, civil servants in the middle foreign service have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful Aufstiegsverfahren (promotion procedure). With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (higher education entrance qualification), one can also pursue a Studium (university degree) and, for example, obtain a bachelor's degree in political and administrative sciences.

Ordinance on the Preparatory Service for the Middle Foreign Service (MADVDV), promulgated as Article 2 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).

A secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) or a Hauptschulabschluss (basic secondary school certificate) combined with a beneficial completed Ausbildung (vocational training) of at least 3 years in a recognized occupation is generally required. Furthermore, the following requirements are demanded for access to the Ausbildung (vocational training): German citizenship according to Article 116 of the Basic Law, good English language skills, robust health and unrestricted suitability for deployment in all areas of the Foreign Service; exceptions apply to people with severe disabilities. Spouses and children must meet certain requirements; exceptions apply to people with severe disabilities. Unrestricted worldwide willingness to be transferred according to a written commitment.