Pilot Salary 2026: Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS
What does a pilot earn in 2026? First officer starting pay, the path to captain and training deductions at Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS, with sources.
Becoming a Pilot at 30, With Glasses or Without A-Levels
Too old, glasses, no A-levels, weak at maths? What really applies on the route to the cockpit with EFA, Lufthansa Group and SWISS. As of September 2026.
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In short
The European Flight Academy publishes no maximum age, only a minimum age of 17. Glasses are not an automatic exclusion, the aeromedical examiner decides. Germany requires Abitur or Fachhochschulreife, Switzerland also accepts a vocational diploma (EFZ). There is no grade cut-off.
"Surely 30 is far too old?" "I wear glasses, so that's that." "Without A-levels there's no point even trying." Lines like these appear under almost every video about the pilot profession. Much of it is forum guesswork that has hardened into a rule.
This article sets the most common doubts against what the European Flight Academy (EFA, the Lufthansa Group's flight school), SWISS, the DLR and the European licensing rules actually say. All information is as of September 2026 and sourced below. Requirements change, so the official pages have the final word.
One thing first: this is not medical advice. Whether you are medically fit to fly can only be assessed by an aeromedical examiner, and for an initial Class 1 medical by an aeromedical centre (AeMC).
Am I too old to become a pilot at 30?
No, there is no documented maximum age for applying. The EFA FAQ only states a minimum age (at least 17 at the start of training), and the Swiss requirements page likewise only says "at least 17 years" when applying. We found no upper limit on either page (as of September 2026). For a binding answer, ask the EFA directly.
The DLR certificate also only has a lower limit: according to the DLR, the minimum age for the certificate assessment is 16. The EFA FAQ says no work experience is required, and having some is no obstacle.
A genuine age limit exists at the other end of a career. EU Regulation 1178/2011 (Part-FCL, section FCL.065) states that pilots who have reached the age of 65 may no longer fly in commercial air transport. Someone in the cockpit in their early thirties still has more than 30 working years ahead.
What career changers should plan for:
- Financing. With the EFA in Germany, payments to the education fund Brain Capital end after 20 years at the latest, and the SWISS training loan runs over 90 monthly instalments. Details are in the article on pilot training costs and financing.
- Seniority. At airlines, pay and progression depend heavily on years of service. If you start later, you still start at the bottom, just like a 20-year-old.
- Life situation. Training is full-time and partly abroad (with the EFA this includes time in the USA).
- Military or civilian service (Switzerland). According to the EFA, anyone liable for service must have completed basic military training or civilian service before training begins.
Can I become a pilot with glasses or poor eyesight?
Yes, in principle. On its page about the Swiss requirements the EFA says that weak eyesight in general is not a disqualifier, because it can be corrected with prescription glasses. Fitness to fly is always decided individually in the aeromedical examination. The EFA FAQ says that any qualifications, for example regarding dioptres, are reviewed case by case.
The legal basis is the EASA Class 1 medical certificate. Regulation (EU) 2019/27 (Part-MED, section MED.B.070) includes the following points:
| Topic | What the regulation says for Class 1 |
|---|---|
| Distant visual acuity | with or without correction, 6/9 (0.7) or better in each eye and 6/6 (1.0) or better with both eyes |
| Higher refractive error | myopia above −6.0 dioptres, hypermetropia above +5.0 dioptres, or astigmatism or anisometropia above 2.0 dioptres means the case is referred to the authority's medical assessor |
| Glasses | the requirements must be met with a single pair of spectacles, and a spare set must be readily available |
| Contact lenses | permitted if monofocal, non-tinted and well tolerated |
| Colour vision | Ishihara test, with further testing for colour safety if you fail it |
A referral is not a rejection. It means your case is looked at more closely. For the Swiss talent programme SPHAIR, sphair.ch simply states that glasses up to +/- 6 dioptres are possible.
In practice: with a known prescription or any eye history (including laser surgery), talk to an aeromedical centre early. According to Germany's Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), the initial Class 1 examination must take place at an approved AeMC. In Switzerland, the FOCA (BAZL) is the responsible authority. A Class 1 medical certificate is generally valid for 12 months.
ImportantThe table only shows that glasses are not a blanket no. Your personal fitness is settled by the examination alone, not by a forum or this article.
With the EFA, the medical comes after the test and the assessment centre. Many people still have it checked early, before investing months in preparation. The FOCA explicitly recommends obtaining a Class 1 medical before applying for federal training funding.
Do I need A-levels and good maths grades?
For the EFA in Germany you need the Abitur or Fachhochschulreife (the German higher education entrance qualifications). In Switzerland a federal vocational diploma (EFZ) is also enough. Good grades are not a requirement: according to the EFA there is no numerus clausus, meaning no grade cut-off.
| Route | Required qualification (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|
| EFA Germany | general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or Fachhochschulreife; from Switzerland the Matura or vocational baccalaureate |
| EFA Switzerland (SWISS, Edelweiss) | Matura, federal vocational baccalaureate, admission to a university of applied sciences, or a federal vocational diploma (EFZ) |
| Private flight school (ATO) | sets its own requirements, ask directly |
The EFA's reasoning: the average school grade says little about your chances in the aptitude tests. You can even apply before finishing school. The leaving certificate must be submitted no later than the start of training. For foreign qualifications, the FAQ asks for certified translations into English or German.
Without Abitur or Fachhochschulreife in Germany, two realistic routes remain: gaining the Fachhochschulreife later, or finding a private flight school whose requirements you meet. See plan B after the DLR test for the second option.
How much maths is really in the test?
Less than many people fear. Maths and physics in the DLR test sit at roughly GCSE to A-level standard: percentages, units, speed-time-distance, plus formulas such as F = m·a or U = R·I. It is about routine in the basics, not advanced mathematics. There is an overview on the question page DLR test: maths and physics.
The real challenge for most is mental arithmetic under time pressure. The problems are read aloud and you calculate without paper. That feels unfamiliar but is very trainable, because it comes down to routine: noting intermediate results straight away and knowing your square numbers by heart. Strategies are in the article on mental arithmetic (KRN). If you left school ten years ago you may start a little behind. Short daily sessions of 15 to 20 minutes are what an app like the DLR Test Trainer is meant for. It is independent of the DLR and does not replace the official preparation software.
What about height, tattoos, licences and citizenship?
Germany and Switzerland differ here. The key points according to the EFA (as of September 2026):
| Criterion | EFA Germany | EFA Switzerland (SWISS, Edelweiss) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | none prescribed, physical fitness is assessed by the aeromedical examiner | 160 to 198 cm |
| English | fluent, DLR rating A or B, or a B2 certificate | fluent, at least B2 (DLR rating A/B or SPHAIR) |
| Other languages | not quantified in the FAQ | German at least B2, French or Italian an advantage |
| Citizenship | EU, Switzerland or EFTA | Switzerland, EFTA or EU |
Tattoos. Visible tattoos are generally permitted at the EFA. The EFA points out, however, that many airlines take tattoos into account in their hiring process.
Fitness. Normal fitness is enough. The medical determines your fitness to fly.
PPL and CPL. The EFA explicitly lists LAPL and PPL as acceptable. If you already hold a commercial pilot licence (CPL), however, you cannot apply for the training.
Passport. Without EU, Swiss or EFTA citizenship you cannot apply to the EFA. For Croatian citizens the Swiss EFA page adds a condition (Swiss settlement permit C).
A compact list for the test itself is on the page DLR test requirements.
Myth or fact: what is actually true?
The short version, backed by the sources below (as of September 2026).
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "At 30 you're too old." | The EFA only states a minimum age of 17 and publishes no maximum age. By law, flying in commercial air transport ends at 65. |
| "Forget it if you wear glasses." | Corrected poor eyesight is not an automatic exclusion. What counts is the Class 1 medical examination. |
| "Nothing works without A-levels." | Germany: Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. Switzerland: also the vocational baccalaureate, admission to a university of applied sciences, or an EFZ. |
| "You need top grades." | There is no grade cut-off. The aptitude tests are what count. |
| "Only maths geniuses pass." | GCSE to A-level standard, and mental arithmetic is trainable. |
| "There's a fixed minimum height for pilots everywhere." | Germany: none prescribed. Switzerland: 160 to 198 cm. |
| "Tattoos are banned." | Generally permitted at the EFA, though airlines may have their own rules. |
| "Flying experience is compulsory" or "flying experience counts against you" | Both wrong: no work experience is needed, a PPL is allowed, and only CPL holders cannot apply. |
| "Fail the DLR test and you're out." | The DLR certificate has no pass or fail. It contains ratings, and you can repeat it (recommended waiting period: 6 months). |
How should I approach this as a career changer?
Sort out the hard criteria first, then invest in preparation:
- Check the formalities. Compare your qualification, passport, language level and (for Switzerland) height with the official EFA pages.
- Clarify medical questions early. With glasses or a pre-existing condition, contact an aeromedical centre.
- Run the numbers. The EFA quotes training costs of €130,000 for Germany and CHF 150,000 for Switzerland, each with financing models. Include lost income during training. This is not financial advice: the EFA, Brain Capital or the FOCA give binding information.
- Plan the DLR certificate. The certificate is valid for 2 years. Pick a date that leaves enough preparation time. Alongside a full-time job, short daily sessions usually fit better than weekend marathons.
- Refresh your English. For the EFA you need rating A or B in the DLR English test, or a B2 certificate.
- Know the route. What follows the certificate is covered in how to become a Lufthansa pilot (EFA) and how to become a SWISS pilot.
Sources
- European Flight Academy: FAQs regarding pilot training
- European Flight Academy: requirements and selection process, training in Switzerland
- DLR: Zertifikat Cockpit (minimum age, validity, repeat attempts; in German)
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2019/27, Part-MED, MED.B.070 Visual system
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Part-FCL, FCL.065 age limits
- Luftfahrt-Bundesamt: how to obtain a medical certificate (in German)
- SPHAIR: pilot screening requirements (in German)
Frequently asked questions
No official maximum age is published. The European Flight Academy only states a minimum age of 17 (as of September 2026). By law, pilots may no longer fly in commercial air transport once they reach 65. For a binding answer, ask the EFA directly.
Written byNoa Walser
Builds DLR Test Trainer and is preparing for the DLR test personally. Writes here about test types, strategies and the route to the cockpit – independent, with sources and without original test items. More about me
