From Au Pair to University: A Step-by-Step Guide to Staying in Germany After Your Year
Dreaming of staying in Germany after your Au Pair year? Our step-by-step guide covers the B2 language exam, Blocked Account setup, and the visa change required to successfully move from Au Pair to University.
Most people see the au pair year as a temporary experience — a cultural exchange before heading home. But for thousands of motivated young people, it is the strategic first chapter of a much bigger story: a permanent life in Germany. The au pair to university transition is not just possible — it is one of the smartest, most cost-effective, and most successful pathways to a German education and long-term residency. This guide breaks the process into clear, actionable phases so you know exactly what to do, and when.
Why the Au Pair Year Is the Perfect University Launchpad
Unlike applying for a student visa from Sri Lanka, you are already established in Germany. You have lived with a German family, navigated daily bureaucracy, opened a bank account, and spoken German every day. This is what the German system calls a “soft landing” — and it gives you advantages that students applying from abroad simply do not have.
- You are already legally present in Germany — which significantly simplifies the visa change process
- You have had up to 12 months of genuine immersive German language practice in a real household environment
- You have the time, the access, and the logistical head start to tackle the two biggest university prerequisites — language proficiency and financial proof — while you are still working
Your au pair year is not just cultural experience. Used strategically, it is your preparation period for the student visa transition.
Phase 1: What You Must Complete During Your Au Pair Year
Your success in changing your residency status depends entirely on what you accomplish before your au pair visa expires. German immigration authorities will require definitive proof of preparation at every step.
1. Language Proficiency — From A2 to B2
The single biggest hurdle is German language proficiency. Most German-taught programmes require at least B2. English-taught Master's programmes require IELTS 6.0–7.0 or equivalent. You must hold one of the universally recognised certificates:
- TestDaF — TDN 4 or TDN 5 (required by most public universities for German-taught programmes)
- DSH-2 — Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang, taken at a German university
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2 / C1 — widely accepted, and the route Glück Global prepares you for
Do not wait until your au pair contract ends to start studying. Enrol in a German language course — ideally one aligned to your target exam — from the very beginning of your au pair year. Glück Global's live online classes run from A1 to B2 and are taught in Sinhala, Tamil, and English to fit your background and schedule.
2. Financial Proof — The Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
To apply for a student visa, you must prove financial self-sufficiency through a blocked account with an approved German provider. The current 2026 requirement is €11,904(€992/month). This amount is released monthly after you enrol as a student. As an au pair your monthly pocket money is modest — but living with a host family means your accommodation and food costs are covered, making it possible to save consistently throughout the year. If you cannot fund the blocked account independently, a Verpflichtungserklärung (declaration of commitment) from a German resident sponsor is an alternative. Glück Global advises you on the most practical route for your situation. ### 3. Academic Recognition — Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) Your Sri Lankan A/L results or degree must be formally assessed as equivalent to the German Abitur — this is called the HZB (university entrance qualification). Most Sri Lankan A/L results do qualify, but you must confirm this throughUni-Assist or directly with the university admissions office.
If your qualification is not yet equivalent, you will be directed to a Studienkolleg — a one-year preparatory college before your degree begins. The Studienkolleg entrance exam requires at least B1–B2 German. Knowing whether you need this early in your au pair year allows you to plan your timeline accurately.
Critical timing note: Language exam slots, blocked account setup, Uni-Assist assessments, and university application deadlines all require advance planning. Most students who fail the transition do so because they start these processes too late — not because they were unqualified.
Phase 2: The Step-by-Step Visa Transition — Au Pair to Student
With your language certificate, blocked account, and admission letter in hand, you are ready to apply for the Change of Purpose (Zweckänderung) at your local Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde). This converts your au pair residence permit into a student visa without you leaving Germany.
Step 1: Secure Your University Admission Letter
You must hold either a conditional admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid)from a German university or a confirmed place at a Studienkolleg. This document is the foundation of your entire visa change application. Without it, the Ausländerbehörde will not process your case. ### Step 2: Apply for the Zweckänderung Submit your Zweckänderung application before your au pair visa expires — never let your current permit lapse. The complete document set required: - Valid passport and completed application form - University or Studienkolleg admission letter - Blocked account confirmation (Fintiba or Expatrio) - Student health insurance (not au pair insurance — a different product) - B2 or C1 German language certificate - Confirmation of au pair contract termination - Proof of registered address (Anmeldung) ### Step 3: The Fiktionsbescheinigung (Bridging Permit) If your au pair visa is about to expire while the Ausländerbehörde is still processing your student application, they will issue aFiktionsbescheinigung — a temporary permit that legally allows you to remain in Germany while a decision is being made. Because you are already legally present, this is far simpler than applying from abroad — you are not in a position of waiting overseas with no status.
Smart Course Selection for a Smooth Transition
Consider a Fachhochschule
Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) are often more career-focused, may have slightly more flexible admission processes, and are an excellent option for students transitioning from vocational or practical backgrounds. If your A/L results are borderline for admission to a traditional university ( Universität), a Fachhochschule may be the more direct and equally valuable route.
English-Taught Master's Programmes
If you already hold a bachelor's degree from Sri Lanka, pursuing an English-taught Master's programme in Germany is a fast-track option. This route bypasses the C1 German language requirement for the programme itself — though you still need A2–B1 German for daily life in Germany. Glück Global recommends continuing German language development regardless, as it significantly improves your job search after graduation.
Studienkolleg — If Your HZB Is Not Recognised
If your Sri Lankan A/L results are not directly equivalent to the German Abitur, a Studienkolleg gives you a structured one-year preparation programme before your degree begins. You sit the Feststellungsprüfung (assessment exam) at the end. Pass it — and you are fully qualified to enrol at a German university. Many Sri Lankan students go through this route and find it an invaluable preparation for university-level German academic life.
Au Pair to University vs. Applying from Sri Lanka — Key Differences
| Transitioning from Au Pair in Germany | Applying from Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Language preparation | 12 months of immersive daily practice | Self-study or language course in Sri Lanka |
| Visa process | Zweckänderung — no need to leave Germany | Full student visa application from Colombo embassy |
| Cultural integration | Already adapted; knows German systems | Adapting on arrival — new country, new systems |
| Financial position | 12 months of savings possible from pocket money | Must arrange full blocked account before departure |
| Risk level | Lower — already legally present | Higher — rejection means starting over from abroad |
How Glück Global Supports the Au Pair to University Transition
- German language training (A1 to B2) — live online classes in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, aligned to TestDaF and Goethe exam preparation from the start of your au pair year
- Academic document pre-check — we review your Sri Lankan qualifications early to confirm HZB equivalence and identify whether a Studienkolleg is needed in your timeline
- University and Studienkolleg applications — complete management of your applications, Uni-Assist submissions, and admission interviews
- Blocked account setup — guidance on choosing Fintiba or Expatrio, depositing the correct 2026 amount, and timing the setup to align with your visa application
- Zweckänderung guidance — direct, personalised advice on preparing your full document set and managing the residence permit change at your local Ausländerbehörde
Your au pair year does not have to end with a flight home. With the right preparation, it ends with a university admission letter. Contact Glück Global to start planning your transition →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change from an au pair visa to a student visa without leaving
Germany?
Yes — this is called a Zweckänderung (change of purpose) and is handled at your local Ausländerbehörde. You do not need to return to Sri Lanka. The key requirements are a valid university admission letter, a blocked account, student health insurance, and a B2 German language certificate.
What German level do I need to transition from au pair to
university?
For German-taught programmes, you need B2 or C1 German — proven by TestDaF (TDN 4/5), DSH-2, or a Goethe-Zertifikat B2/C1. For English-taught Master's programmes, B2 English (IELTS) is sufficient for the course, but A2–B1 German is still strongly recommended for daily life and the post-study job search. Glück Global recommends starting your German course from the beginning of your au pair year — not months before the exam.
What if my Sri Lankan A/L results are not directly equivalent to the
German Abitur?
You will need to complete a Studienkolleg — a one-year preparatory programme at a German university before your degree begins. You then sit the Feststellungsprüfung assessment exam. Passing it qualifies you for university admission. Glück Global checks your HZB equivalence early in your au pair year so you can plan your timeline accurately.
How much money do I need in the blocked account for a student visa
in 2026?
The 2026 requirement is €11,904 (€992/month for 12 months). This must be deposited with an approved provider such as Fintiba or Expatrio and confirmed before your visa application is submitted. The amount is released monthly after you arrive as a student.
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