Beamter/Beamtin im Verfassungsschutz (gehobener Dienst)

Learning locations include: Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration, Academy for the Protection of the Constitution, Centre for Intelligence Training and Further Education: lecture halls, seminar and exercise rooms, libraries. Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, State Offices for the Protection of the Constitution: office spaces. At home (e.g., preparation and follow-up of courses, completing homework).

Amendment to the Federal Career Ordinance: 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 the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, in the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service, access is now also possible for individuals with vocational advanced training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional.

Occupation Type: Civil service training. Type of Training: Studium (university studies) at the Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration, the Centre for Intelligence Training and Further Education, and the Academy for the Protection of the Constitution, with practical study phases at the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and State Offices for the Protection of the Constitution. Qualification: Diploma. Duration: 3 years. Tasks and Activities: Civil servants in the higher service of the Protection of the Constitution observe, for example, anti-constitutional efforts of right-wing, left-wing, and foreign extremist groups. In counter-espionage, they monitor the activities of opposing intelligence services and repel espionage attacks. They procure information relevant to the protection of the constitution, evaluate it, write reports and statements, and prepare decision proposals for the leadership level. They can also take on personnel matters and the Ausbildung (vocational training) and further education of employees. The civil servants also advise citizens.

3 years

The selection process consists of a written and an oral part. The written part primarily tests cognitive and linguistic abilities through performance tests. The oral part demonstrates the motivation and social competence of the applicants through, for example, an interview, a simulation task, or a group discussion. In addition, a security check is carried out according to the Security Clearance Act (SÜG).

Structure of the Studium (university studies) in the higher service of the Federal Protection of the Constitution: Basic Studium (university studies) at the Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration: 6 months. Practical courses at the Academy for the Protection of the Constitution (AfV): approx. 2 months. Internship at the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution: 4 months. Main Studium (university studies) I at the Centre for Intelligence Training and Further Education (ZNAF): 6 months. Practical courses at the Academy for the Protection of the Constitution (AfV): approx. 2 months. Internship at the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution: 7 months. Internship at a State Office for the Protection of the Constitution: 3 months. Main Studium (university studies) II at the Centre for Intelligence Training and Further Education (ZNAF): 6 months. Career/Diploma Examination. Total Studium (university studies) duration: 3 years.

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

Specialized studies, for example, in the following areas: constitutional and political, legal, national economic, and financial foundations of administrative action; business administration foundations of administrative action, organization, and information processing; social science foundations of administrative action; legal theory; state, constitutional, and European law; administrative law; law of intelligence services/data protection law; criminal law; international politics and history of political ideas, as well as forms of political extremism (right-wing extremism/terrorism, left-wing extremism/terrorism); security-threatening and extremist endeavors by foreigners; internal security, classified information protection, counter-espionage, proliferation (spread of weapons of mass destruction and substances needed for their production); intelligence work techniques (information gathering and evaluation, observation, reporting); intelligence psychology. Additionally, foreign language training is included.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During specialized studies: Lectures: Attend lectures and seminars in the lecture halls and seminar rooms, for example, of the Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration. Practical exercises: For example, complete language exercises as part of foreign language training. Independent work: Prepare and review lectures, research in libraries, prepare presentations, write papers (also during lecture-free periods). Organization: For example, adhere to given submission deadlines for presentations and papers. During practical study phases: Practical collaboration (under guidance): For example, review and evaluate information, perform administrative tasks. Practice-oriented courses: For example, attend courses on interview techniques, observation, and intelligence operational techniques. Key qualifications: For example, enhance problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

Monthly gross basic salary for trainees: €1,744. Source: Federal Salary Act (BBesG). Note: In addition to the basic trainee salary, trainee remuneration includes capital-forming benefits, and possibly also family allowances and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university studies): Economics/Law: For example, to understand the legal (e.g., state, constitutional, and European law, criminal law) and business administration course content. Politics/Social Studies: For example, to develop an understanding of foreign and security policy. German: For example, to write protocols and give presentations. English: For example, to facilitate entry into integrated foreign language training. Psychology: For example, for operational information gathering.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of Beamter/Beamtin (civil servant) in the Verfassungsschutz (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) (higher service): Area of Protection and Security: Beamter/Beamtin in the Bundesnachrichtendienst (Federal Intelligence Service) (higher service), Beamter/Beamtin in the Bundeskriminaldienst (Federal Criminal Police Office) (higher service), Beamter/Beamtin in the Landeskriminaldienst (State Criminal Police Office) (higher service), Polizeivollzugsbeamter/Polizeivollzugsbeamtin (police officer) in the Bundespolizei (Federal Police) (higher non-technical service), Polizeivollzugsbeamter/Polizeivollzugsbeamtin in the higher non-technical service of the Bundesländer (federal states), Beamter/Beamtin in the Justizvollzugsdienst (prison service) (higher non-technical service), Security Management (undergraduate). Commonality: Analyze security risks and initiate countermeasures. Area of Law and Administration: Beamter/Beamtin in the higher non-technical customs service, State and Administrative Sciences (undergraduate), Administrative Management, Public Management (undergraduate), Public Law (undergraduate). Commonality: Examine administrative processes from a legal perspective.

In 2018, a new regulation was introduced for the higher service in the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz). The career training programs for the higher non-technical administrative service of the Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution were merged. The specializations within the intelligence services career path are the Federal Intelligence Service and the Protection of the Constitution.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher service of the Protection of the Constitution is organized as a Vorbereitungsdienst (preparatory service) and lasts for three years. It is structured as a Diplomstudium (diploma degree program) and regulated by federal or state (Bundesland) ordinances. The Ausbildung concludes with the career/diploma examination.

The Studium (degree program) is regulated by federal law and, in the mentioned states, by state law, leading to the following degree/professional titles: Federal, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saarland, Saxony: Diplom-Verwaltungswirt/Diplom-Verwaltungswirtin (FH). The career path also exists in the following states where no specific degree/professional title is awarded: Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt. Example career titles include: Civil Servant - Protection of the Constitution (higher service), Civil Servant - Service in the Protection of the Constitution (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Protection of the Constitution (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Protection of the Constitution (third qualification level), Civil Servant - Federal Protection of the Constitution (higher service). These career titles are examples and may vary depending on the state or federal authority. Note: The responsible authorities determine whether the career path is offered as an Ausbildung.

After their Studium (degree program), civil servants in the higher service of the Protection of the Constitution work at the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution or in state (Bundesland) offices for the Protection of the Constitution. They can keep their specialized knowledge up-to-date or bring it to the latest standard through Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive continuing education). The range of topics extends from politics to data protection law. With suitable qualifications, civil servants in the higher service of the Protection of the Constitution have the opportunity to move into the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Further Studium can also be considered. For example, obtaining a master's degree in state and administrative sciences is a logical step.

The Studium (degree program) for civil servant careers is partly regulated by federal and state (Bundesland) ordinances. Federal level: Ordinance on the preparatory service for the higher service in the Federal Intelligence Service and the higher service in the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (GDBNDVerfSchVDV) of 21.09.2018 (BGBl. I S. 1368), last amended by Article 2 Para. 22 of the Ordinance of 11.03.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 67). State level: Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior on the Ausbildung (vocational training) and examination for the higher service in the Protection of the Constitution (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsordnung für den gehobenen Dienst im Verfassungsschutz - APrOVSgD) of 09.07.2018 (BW.GBl. S. 295), last amended by Article 19 of the Law of 15.11.2022 (BW.GBl. S. 540). Ordinance on the specialist career path Police and Protection of the Constitution (Fach V-Pol/VS) of 09.12.2010 (Bay.GVBl. S. 821), last amended by Ordinance of 26.03.2019 (Bay.GVBl. S. 98). Ausbildung and examination regulations for the higher service branch of the Protection of the Constitution.

The prerequisite is the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) or the allgemeine Hochschulreife (general university entrance qualification), or a comparable educational qualification. Additionally, applicants must possess German citizenship.