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Key facts at a glance
- The AVGS (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, Activation and Placement Voucher) is public funding that pays for professional coaching in full, also for international professionals in Berlin.
- You can apply for an AVGS if you are registered as unemployed, receive basic income support (Grundsicherung) or are at risk of unemployment, regardless of your nationality.
- Your level of German doesn’t matter: coaching is also possible in English.
- When you talk to your advisor, it’s enough to say that you want support with your job search. You don’t need to know the word “AVGS”.
- Good coaching helps you get clear on your goals, understand German application standards, build a strategy and gain confidence.
- Coaching makes sense when you know something has to change, but not yet what. It is not a job guarantee.
In German or in English: AVGS coaching can help you approach the German job market in a targeted way, step by step and completely free of charge with an AVGS voucher.
What is the AVGS? The Activation and Placement Voucher explained
In general, you can apply for an AVGS if you:
- are registered as unemployed and receive unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld)
- receive basic income support (Grundsicherung, formerly Bürgergeld)
- are registered as looking for work (even without receiving benefits)
- are at risk of unemployment (for example, your contract is ending)
- want to return to work after parental leave or a longer break
Important: The AVGS is a discretionary benefit. This means you have no automatic legal entitlement. Your advisor decides whether you get the voucher. But if you have good reasons, your chances are good.
What applies to international professionals in Berlin?
Your nationality doesn’t matter. What counts is that you are registered with the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Job Center (Jobcenter) and have a work permit.
Even if your German isn’t perfect yet, that is no reason to be excluded. Many coaching providers, including us at Good Prospects, offer AVGS coaching in English. You don’t have to pass a language test to get support.
How to get started in your career after graduating in Germany is also covered in our article Unemployed after graduating?
Our academic coaching is designed specifically for the challenges university graduates face on the German job market, from positioning to application strategy.
Applying for an AVGS in Berlin: what international professionals need to add
How the application works, step by step, is explained in our guide to applying for an AVGS. For international professionals, three points come on top.
Language at the appointment. You don’t need to know the word “AVGS”. It is enough to say: “I would like to talk about support with my job search, for example coaching.” If you don’t feel confident in German, say so, and ask whether coaching in English is possible.
Your reasons. Explain what has been holding you back, for example: “I have been applying for four months and hardly get any responses. I think my documents don’t match what employers in Germany expect.” Whether you receive a voucher is decided by your advisor case by case.
You choose the provider yourself. Your advisor is not allowed to recommend a specific provider. Make sure the provider is approved under AZAV and offers coaching in a language you are comfortable with. At Good Prospects, that means German or English.
Why AVGS coaching for international professionals in Berlin, in German or English?
Good coaching, in English or German, helps you with:
- Clarity: What do you actually want, and what is realistic on the German market?
- Application documents: a CV and cover letter that meet German standards
- Application strategy: where and how to apply so that you actually get interviews, with an individual strategy for the German job market
- Recognition: understanding how your foreign qualifications are classified in Germany
- Network: building professional contacts and finding your way around the Berlin job market
- Confidence: recognising your strengths and being able to communicate them, in German too. How this works in an interview is shown in our article Strengths and weaknesses in a job interview.
As an international professional in particular, you face challenges that general application coaching doesn’t cover: cultural differences in the application process, a missing network, uncertainty about your language skills. AVGS coaching that understands these issues makes the difference.
When AVGS coaching makes sense, and when it doesn’t
Coaching isn’t right for everyone. Ours isn’t either. We’re honest about that.
AVGS coaching makes sense if:
- you know something has to change, but not exactly what
- you’ve been applying for months but don’t get any interviews
- you have qualifications, but no clear thread for the German job market
- you need someone who helps you get clear, not someone who decides for you
AVGS coaching makes less sense if:
- you expect a job guarantee (there isn’t one, from anyone)
- you want someone to write your applications for you
- you know exactly what you want and only need a CV check
- you are in an acute crisis that needs therapeutic support
AVGS coaching in English in Berlin: why language matters in coaching
With many providers, coaching is only available in German. That can be a real hurdle, especially when it comes to personal topics like career goals, strengths or changing direction. If you feel more confident in English, there are coaching options in Berlin that make exactly that possible.
At Good Prospects, we offer AVGS coaching in Berlin in English and in German. You decide what works for you. With personal topics like a career change in particular, you need to feel confident in the language you speak.
Your next step
Not sure whether AVGS coaching is right for you? Write to us. In a free initial consultation, we’ll find out together whether and how we can help you, before you even apply.
We support international professionals in Berlin in finding their footing on the German job market, with individual coaching that understands your situation.
Frequently asked questions about AVGS coaching for international professionals in Berlin
Do I need to speak perfect German to get an AVGS?
No. Your language level is not a criterion for approving an AVGS. What counts is that you are registered with the Employment Agency or the Job Center. And many providers, including Good Prospects, offer coaching in English.
How do I apply for an AVGS as an international professional?
You make an appointment with your advisor at the Employment Agency or the Job Center in Berlin. There you explain why coaching would support your job search. Tip: mention that you have already found an AZAV-certified provider who offers coaching in English. This shows preparation and improves your chances of approval.
What does AVGS coaching cost?
Nothing. The costs of your AVGS coaching in Berlin are covered 100 % by the Employment Agency or the Job Center, whether you do the coaching in German or English. You don’t pay a cent, not even for the initial consultation.
How long does AVGS coaching take?
That depends on your voucher. The exact scope is stated on it and is decided case by case. With us, sessions are usually weekly and one-on-one, in German or English.
Can I choose my coach myself?
Yes. You have the right to choose a certified provider that suits you. Make sure the provider is AZAV-certified and has experience with people in your situation.
What if my AVGS request is turned down?
That happens. The AVGS is a discretionary benefit, not a legal entitlement. If you are turned down, ask for the reasons and think about whether you can bring better arguments to the next conversation. We’re happy to help you prepare.
Does Good Prospects offer coaching in English?
Yes. We offer AVGS coaching in German and English, at four locations in Berlin, in Rostock and online. Our coaches have experience with international professionals and understand the specific challenges of starting a career in Germany. You decide which language you feel more comfortable in.
Final tip: Write down the four questions from step 2 and answer each one in two sentences, in German or English. Take this note with you to your appointment at the Employment Agency or the Job Center.
