# IT Specialist (Fachinformatiker) > IT Specialist (Fachinformatiker) Ausbildung guide: 3-year program, trainee pay €1,050 - €1,350/month, German B2 needed, and the Section 16a visa path for non-EU applicants. IT Specialist (Fachinformatiker) is a 3-year Ausbildung paying €1,050 - €1,350 a month during training, with B2 German as the practical requirement. 3 years, four specializations from app dev to system integration. About €1,050 to €1,350 a month. ## What you will do - Application development: programming, testing, and deploying software - System integration: networks, servers, and IT infrastructure - Data and process analysis, or digital networking (specialization tracks) - User support and IT security basics ## Requirements Mittlere Reife (or Abitur for competitive spots) with good math grades. B2 German is expected; much of the documentation is in English, but the Berufsschule exams are in German. A small portfolio or hobby programming projects help a lot at interviews. ## Why this trade is popular with international applicants IT is the most international of the classic Ausbildungs: English-friendly workplaces, strong post-training salaries, and employers used to sponsoring non-EU hires. Four specialization tracks (application development, system integration, data and process analysis, digital networking) let you steer toward software or infrastructure. ## The visa path This trade qualifies for the Section 16a training residence permit (B1 German, signed training contract, up to 20h/week side work). Full walkthrough on the [Ausbildung hub](/ausbildung-in-germany/). ## Frequently asked questions ### How long is the IT Specialist (Fachinformatiker) Ausbildung? 3 years, split between company training and Berufsschule. ### What is the trainee pay? Typical range across employers and regions (AUBI-plus/Azubi.de 2025 data put the span at roughly €1,050 to €1,460). Large tech employers and banks pay at the top end. ### What German level is needed? Practical standard: B2. The visa requires B1 minimum for qualified training. ### Can non-EU citizens apply? Yes, via the Section 16a training residence permit with a signed contract and B1 German. --- Interactive version: https://toollantern.win/ausbildung/it-specialist-in-germany/