EASA ATPL in Germany
ATPL theory exams and training in Germany
Germany hosts the Lufthansa Group and one of Europe's densest clusters of independent flight schools, and it runs its professional pilot theory exams centrally from the federal aviation office. If you sit your EASA ATPL papers here, you deal with the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt in Braunschweig.
LBA
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
13 EASA papers
Sat under EASA Part-FCL
English
For ATPL theory papers
~€85k-€120k
Indicative, varies by school
The national aviation authority: LBA
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), Germany's Federal Aviation Office, administers the ATPL theory exams centrally through its Department L2 in Braunschweig. Germany splits exam authority by licence level: the federal LBA handles ATPL, MPL, CPL and IR, while the regional state aviation authorities (Landesluftfahrtbehörden) handle only the lower PPL and LAPL exams. So for the ATPL, everything runs through the one federal office.
How the ATPL theory exams work
The 13 ATPL theory papers are computer-based, drawn from EASA's European Central Question Bank, with a 75% pass mark per paper. Since 1 August 2022 the ATPL, CPL and IR theory exams are offered in English only. You apply through the federal portal or directly to LBA Department L2, with applications due by the Sunday eight days before the exam week; all subjects must be completed within 18 months of the first sitting, and a passed theory block is valid for seven years. Exam fees are set under the German aviation fee regulation (LuftKostV).
Exam fees and procedures are set by the authority and change over time. Amounts quoted here reflect published fee schedules as of July 2026; confirm the current fee with LBA before booking a sitting.
Where you sit the exams
ATPL theory exams are sat on-site at the LBA in Braunschweig. Candidates are assigned a computer and choose which subject to attempt within timed windows, and results are issued by post after the full exam week ends. Germany therefore centralises the professional theory exams at one federal location rather than at the training schools.
What ATPL training costs in Germany
~€85,000 to ~€120,000
Lufthansa's European Flight Academy publishes €120,000 for its integrated ATPL programme, with a staged installment schedule, on its own site. Independent schools are generally reported lower: aggregated figures put RWL German Flight Academy and TFC Käufer in the region of €85,000 to €102,000 for integrated training. Overall, budget roughly €85,000 to €120,000 and confirm the exact figure with the school.
Figures are indicative, quoted by the schools named below or by third-party aggregators, and change often. Confirm current pricing directly with the training organisation.
Notable ATOs in Germany
A few of the EASA-approved training organisations that run ATPL theory or integrated programmes here. SkyStudy is not affiliated with any of them; the links go to each school’s own website so you can check current programmes and pricing yourself.
European Flight Academy (Lufthansa Aviation Training)
Bremen / Rostock-LaageLufthansa's own cadet academy, with theory in Bremen and multi-engine training at Rostock-Laage. It publishes a €120,000 integrated ATPL price and feeds the Lufthansa Group cockpit pipeline.
Visit websiteRWL German Flight Academy
MönchengladbachLBA-approved ATO (DE.ATO.002) offering integrated and modular ATPL, with its own Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 full-flight simulators on site.
Visit websiteTFC Käufer
EssenEssen-based provider running integrated ATPL and MPL programmes with staged intakes.
Visit websiteFFH Aviation Training
FreiburgOperating since 1964, with locations including Stuttgart and Freiburg, offering an integrated ATPL programme with quarterly intakes.
Visit websiteThe Lufthansa Group cadet pipeline
Germany's distinctive feature is the Lufthansa Group cadet pipeline through the European Flight Academy. Graduates are considered across Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines and Discover Airlines, and the academy attaches an unusual financial guarantee: it states that half the training cost (around €60,000) is refunded if no binding Lufthansa Group job offer arrives within 24 months of graduation. That structure, plus the centralised federal exam in Braunschweig and a dense field of independent ATOs, gives Germany one of the largest and most structured training markets in the EASA area.
ATPL in Germany: common questions
Who runs the ATPL theory exams in Germany?
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), the Federal Aviation Office, administers the ATPL, CPL and IR theory exams centrally from Department L2 in Braunschweig. The regional state authorities handle only PPL-level exams.
What language are the ATPL exams in Germany?
Since 1 August 2022 the ATPL, CPL and IR theory exams are offered in English only. German remains only for certain national add-on privileges.
How much does ATPL training cost in Germany?
Lufthansa's European Flight Academy publishes €120,000 for its integrated ATPL. Independent schools are generally reported around €85,000 to €102,000. Confirm current pricing directly with the school.
Sources
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Preparing for the LBA ATPL theory exams?
Whichever EASA state you sit them in, the 13 papers come from the same central question bank. SkyStudy turns that syllabus into exam-style practice, spaced repetition, and timed mock exams. Free to start, no card needed.
This page is general educational information for student pilots and may be out of date. Aviation rules, training requirements, costs, medical standards, and exam details change over time and vary by country, authority, and training organisation, so details here may no longer be current or may differ in your case. Always confirm the current details with your approved training organisation (ATO) and national aviation authority before relying on them. SkyStudy is an independent study aid, is not affiliated with EASA or any aviation authority, and does not guarantee any exam or licence outcome.
Last reviewed July 2026