Kitchen assistant (Fachkraft für Küche)
An accessible entry point into kitchen professions, designed as a direct stepping stone to the cook qualification.
The profession
The kitchen assistant supports the kitchen, prepares ingredients, makes simple dishes and applies hygiene rules.
Salary
The apprenticeship is around 900 to 1,100 €/month. The entry salary is around 2,300 €/month (portal estimate) (source: aubi-plus, ausbildung.de, 2024).
Duration and path
The training lasts 2 years and ends with the IHK examination. The profession was created in 2022 and is fully credited towards the cook (Koch) qualification with one additional year.
Employers hiring
Restaurants, hotels, communal catering and canteens, clinics.
Prospects
Prospects are strong: this profession benefits from the shortage of cooks and serves as a stepping stone.
Career progression
Third year towards the cook (Koch) qualification, then chef de partie.
Language level
Vocational school, the exam and the work all take place in German. B2 is the standard employers expect and the level we aim for; this profession was, however, designed as an accessible entry point, in the kitchen and not in direct contact with guests.
Recognition and access
For an Ausbildung, no diploma recognition is required: you train directly in Germany and the qualification is recognised across the country. You need an Ausbildung contract, the expected level of German and, generally, a secondary-school leaving certificate.
Visa
Entry is via the vocational training visa (Ausbildung). Once qualified, you move to a skilled-worker residence permit to work in Germany. We check your eligibility and build the file with you. The cook profession is among the recognised shortage occupations in Germany, which makes recruitment easier.
Your Karriere Fähre support
We train you in German up to the required level, find the company and the Ausbildung contract, prepare the visa file and support you all the way to settling in.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference from the cook ?
- The training is shorter (2 years) and more hands-on, focused on preparation tasks and simple dishes.
- Can you continue towards the cook qualification ?
- Yes, with one additional year: the kitchen assistant training is fully credited towards the cook (Koch) qualification.
Indicative gross ranges from public German sources (Federal Employment Agency, Entgeltatlas, Gehalt.de, StepStone, DEHOGA). In hospitality, pay depends on regional collective agreements (DEHOGA) and the statutory minimum wage, tips supplement guest-facing roles, and the work is often seasonal. Recognition and visa rules change: always check your case with the competent German authorities.