Beamter/Beamtin in der Allgemeinen Inneren Verwaltung (höherer nichttechnischer Dienst)

Learning locations include: Public administration educational institutions (e.g., administrative academies, universities of administrative sciences) and state/local authorities (office spaces).

The profession is a civil servant training (Beamtenausbildung); different career titles may exist in individual federal states (Bundesland). The type of training is a preparatory service, regulated by federal or state ordinances. The preparatory service usually lasts 2 years. The minimum prerequisite for admission to the preparatory service varies depending on the federal state (e.g., a completed Master's degree (Masterstudium)). Learning locations are public administration educational institutions (e.g., administrative academies), universities of administrative sciences, and state or local authorities. Civil servants in the higher service of general (internal) administration are entrusted with qualified administrative and leadership tasks. They participate in the preparation and enactment of laws, legal ordinances, and administrative regulations, draft proposals for new legal ordinances, and write opinions on draft laws. Within their department or agency, they plan and organize work processes.

Typically 2 years.

The aptitude test consists, for example, of an online test, an interview, and an assessment center (Assessment-Center).

The structure of a preparatory service in the higher service of general (internal) administration is as follows: An introductory course at an institute for public administration (e.g., 2 months), practical training at a district government (e.g., 7 months), an intermediate course at an institute for public administration (e.g., 1 month), practical training at a federal or state authority, an association, or a company (e.g., 3 months), a university semester at a university of administrative sciences (e.g., 3 months), an intermediate course at an institute for public administration (e.g., 1 month), practical training at an administrative court (e.g., 3 months), a final course with preparation for the state examination (e.g., 4 months). The total training duration is 2 years.

Course fees are not charged. Travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

This vocational training (Ausbildung) consists of theoretical and practical sections. Theoretical sections cover topics such as information and communication technology, public finance, public service law, personnel management and development, state and administrative law, and administrative organization and planning. Practical sections provide professional knowledge and experience.

During this vocational training (Ausbildung), one should be prepared for certain conditions and requirements. During the theoretical training phases, attendance at lectures, independent work such as preparing for and reviewing lectures, researching in libraries, and preparing performance assessments are expected. It is also important to adhere to specified submission deadlines for performance assessments. During the practical training phases, one should actively participate in the respective area, contribute to management tasks like personnel planning, and enhance key qualifications such as problem-solving, organizational, and leadership skills.

The monthly gross basic salary for trainee civil servants in federal agencies is 2,624 Euros. An exemplary monthly gross basic salary for trainee civil servants in state (Bundesland) agencies is 1,726 Euros. Sources are the Federal Salary Act (BBesG) and State Salary Acts. In addition to the basic salary, trainee civil servant allowances include capital-forming benefits, and possibly family allowances and other surcharges, remunerations, and bonuses.

Entry into this vocational training (Ausbildung) is possible with the following university (Studium) degrees, for example: Economics (advanced), political economy (advanced), social sciences (advanced), state and administrative sciences (advanced), political science (advanced).

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for a successful preparatory service: Management/Organization (e.g., to efficiently organize public administration) and employee leadership and guidance (e.g., to maintain employee motivation and satisfaction).

The following vocational training (Ausbildung) alternative is available for the profession of civil servant in the higher service of General (Internal) Administration: Law and Administration sector, Civil Servant in Tax Administration (higher non-technical service). Commonality: Planning and organizing administrative processes.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) for Beamter/Beamtin (civil servant) in General Internal Administration (higher non-technical service) takes place as a preparatory service and typically lasts 2 years. It is regulated by federal and Bundesland (state) ordinances and leads to a career or state examination. A Masterstudium (master's degree) is usually required.

This Ausbildung (vocational training) is regulated by federal law and the respective Bundesland's (state's) local law, leading to the following Abschluss-/Berufsbezeichnungen (qualification/professional titles): Federal level: Master of Public Administration (MPA). North Rhine-Westphalia: Assessor/Assessorin des Verwaltungsdienstes. This career path is also established in Bundesländer (states) such as Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Hamburg, and Saxony, where no specific qualification/professional titles are awarded. Career titles include Beamter/Beamtin - Allgemeine Innere Verwaltung (höherer Dienst), Beamter/Beamtin - Allgemeine Finanzverwaltung (höherer Dienst), Beamter/Beamtin - Allgemeine Verwaltung (Laufbahngruppe 2, zweite Einstiegsebene), and Beamter/Beamtin - Allgemeiner Verwaltungsdienst (Laufbahngruppe 2, zweites Einstiegsamt). These titles are examples and may vary depending on the Bundesland (state) or federal authority. The responsible bodies determine whether the career path is offered as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), Beamter/Beamtin (civil servants) in the higher service of General Internal Administration work in federal, state, or municipal authorities. They can keep their expertise up-to-date or bring it to the latest standard through adaptive further training. The range of topics extends from administrative law to employee leadership. With appropriate aptitude, Beamter/Beamtin (civil servants) in the higher service of General Internal Administration have the opportunity to participate in internal administrative courses for further qualification.

The preparatory service for Beamter/Beamtin (civil servant) career paths is regulated by federal and state governments in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ. At the federal level, there is the ordinance on advancement to the higher non-technical administrative service of the federal government through the "Master of Public Administration" Studium (master's program) at the Federal University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration (MPAFHBundV) from March 24, 2011 (BGBl. I S. 497), last amended by Article 2 Section 16 of the ordinance from March 11, 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 67). At the federal level, the career qualification for the higher service of General Internal Administration is usually achieved by advancement from the gehobener Dienst (higher intermediate service). At the state level, there is the ordinance of the Ministry of Finance on the establishment of career paths and further career regulations for the financial administration sector (Finanzlaufbahnverordnung – FLVO), promulgated as Article 1 of the ordinance from September 17, 2025 (BW. GBl. Nr. 89). There are also regulations regarding Ausbildung (vocational training) and examination.

A successfully completed Masterstudium (master's degree) or an equivalent recognized Hochschulabschluss (university degree) in a suitable field of study, such as economics or political and administrative sciences, is generally required.