GIZ offers internships in Germany and at numerous locations worldwide for university students and recent graduates. To qualify, you must be enrolled at a university or have graduated no more than six months before the internship starts, and applications must be submitted for advertised vacancies rather than unsolicited.
The internships provide an opportunity to gain practical experience while learning about the work of GIZ across different fields and locations. Positions may be available at major German offices in Berlin, Bonn and Eschborn, smaller regional offices, or GIZ locations abroad.
GIZ Internship Opportunities at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | GIZ |
| Opportunity type | Internship |
| Locations | Germany and worldwide |
| Main German locations | Berlin, Bonn and Eschborn, plus smaller regional offices |
| Eligibility | University students or graduates within six months of the internship start |
| Maximum duration | Six months |
| Application method | Online application for advertised vacancies |
| Unsolicited applications | Not accepted |
| Advertising period | Internships are advertised throughout the year |
| Part-time internships | Available for some advertised positions |
| Final dissertation | Generally possible during an internship |
Who Can Apply for a GIZ Internship?
You can apply if you are currently enrolled at a university or if your degree was completed no more than six months before the internship begins.
GIZ lists several preferred fields of study, including business studies, administration, politics, law, regional studies, communication studies, environmental and social sciences, agriculture and forestry, economics, computer science, geography and vocational education.
Applicants interested in international project management can also qualify where an internship forms part of their further training in that field.
Beyond academic background, GIZ looks for candidates who can work cooperatively and take responsibility. Teamwork, intercultural competence and resilience are also among the strengths identified in the internship requirements. Applicants should also have sound knowledge of standard MS Office programs and a sound knowledge of a universal language.
Where Can GIZ Internships Take Place?
GIZ internships are available both in Germany and internationally.
In Germany, opportunities can be offered in major GIZ locations such as Berlin, Bonn and Eschborn, as well as in smaller regional offices. Outside Germany, internships are available at numerous GIZ locations worldwide.
Because internships are advertised throughout the year, the available locations and fields depend on the vacancies currently listed. Candidates should therefore monitor the official internship vacancies rather than relying on a single annual application period.
How Long Are GIZ Internships?
GIZ internships in Germany and abroad can last for a maximum of six months.
Shorter internships may also be possible. The relevant vacancy will state whether a shorter period is available, or an arrangement may be agreed on a case-by-case basis. If you want a shorter internship, GIZ asks applicants to mention this preference in their covering letter.
GIZ also states that it is possible to complete one internship in Germany and one internship abroad.
Some internships may be advertised on a part-time basis. When this applies, the specific vacancy will make the arrangement clear.
Can You Write Your Final Dissertation During a GIZ Internship?
Yes. As a general rule, GIZ allows interns to write their final dissertation while completing an internship.
If you plan to use the internship for your dissertation, you should clearly mention this in your application. GIZ can then take your project or topic into consideration during the selection process.
This can make the internship particularly relevant for students who want their academic work to connect with practical experience at GIZ.
Health Insurance Requirements for Internships in Germany
Health insurance requirements differ depending on whether the internship takes place in Germany or abroad.
For an internship in Germany, GIZ states that statutory health insurance is required unless the internship is a mandatory component of a vocational training programme. Other types of insurance are not permitted in the standard situation described by GIZ.
Where the internship is mandatory, GIZ says it will not deduct social security contributions, and the intern is free to choose the form of insurance cover.
For internships abroad, insurance decisions are handled on a case-by-case basis, with GIZ’s Human Resources Department providing advice.
How to Apply for a GIZ Internship
GIZ requires applicants to apply online for an advertised internship vacancy. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.
Internship vacancies are advertised throughout the year, so candidates should regularly check the GIZ job portal for an opening that matches their field of specialisation.
The application process works as follows:
- Check the current internship vacancies. Look for an advertised position relevant to your area of study or interests.
- Open the specific vacancy. Review the requirements and details provided for that internship.
- Select “Apply now.” The button takes you to the online application form.
- Register if required. You need to register before completing the application.
- Complete the relevant application information. For internship applications, GIZ states that applicants should complete the “Other competencies” section under “Qualifications”; the other listed skills sections are not relevant to internships and will not be accessible.
- Prepare a concise covering letter. GIZ places importance on covering letters that are short but informative.
- Submit the application online.
The important point is that there is no general internship application that can be sent whenever you wish. You need to apply through an advertised internship vacancy.
GIZ Legal Traineeships in Germany and Worldwide
GIZ also offers a separate route for law students seeking an elective placement in international cooperation as part of their law degree.
In Germany, legal trainees work with GIZ’s Legal Affairs and Insurance Unit in Bonn and Eschborn. The work can involve legal matters arising in Germany and partner countries and may expose trainees to the interdisciplinary and international nature of development cooperation.
Trainees can support legal work, participate in internal meetings and external appointments, attend team meetings, process suitable requests independently and communicate directly with customers. Where relevant, there may also be an opportunity to gain insight into the planning and support of legal projects implemented with partner countries.
At GIZ locations abroad, legal trainees undertake specific tasks independently under guidance and supervision. This provides exposure to the legal side of international cooperation and local GIZ projects.
Requirements for GIZ Legal Traineeships
The legal traineeship has different requirements from the general internship programme. Applicants should:
- Have good knowledge of law.
- Have achieved at least 8 points in the German system in the first state examination for lawyers.
- Have a good command of a major international language.
- Show an interest in economic and development-policy contexts.
- Be able to explain legal matters accurately and clearly.
The work can focus on areas including contract law, procurement law, tax law, European law, company law, international civil law, construction law and employment law.
When Can You Apply for a GIZ Legal Traineeship?
There is no application deadline for the legal traineeship. Applications can be submitted at any time by email or through the GIZ Job Portal.
For an elective placement in Germany, applicants can send their application letter and CV to Christine Werthmann at the Legal Affairs and Insurance Unit.
For an elective placement abroad, applicants can identify a suitable GIZ project and contact the person specified for that project.
What Applicants Should Know Before Applying
GIZ’s internship programme is structured around advertised opportunities rather than open-ended applications. That means timing matters: a candidate should keep checking the vacancies because internships are advertised throughout the year.
It is also important to distinguish the general internship requirements from the separate legal traineeship route. The legal placement has its own academic and examination requirements and is specifically designed for an elective placement connected with legal studies.
For general internships, the key eligibility point is straightforward: applicants must be university students or recent graduates whose degree is no more than six months old at the start of the internship.
