Did you know that if you’ve moved to Germany as an expat, have lived here for more than a year and meet certain criteria, you may have the right to change your profession to a more in-demand one — completely free of charge? The German government needs qualified specialists in certain fields, so it will cover the full cost of your Weiterbildung (further training) if it considers it a realistic way to help you find employment.
In this article I explain what a Bildungsgutschein is, who qualifies, how to apply (step-by-step), show one of our student’s cases and add some tips to increase your chances of approval.
What Is a German Bildungsgutschein?
A Bildungsgutschein is an educational voucher issued by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit or local Jobcenter that functions as a ‘green light’ for your future career in Germany without any investment: it covers all the costs of approved further training (Weiterbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) for the voucher holder. Good news: you don’t have to pay anything back after being hired.
The main goal of the government funding program is to reduce the regularly rising unemployment rate, close qualification gaps and make sure all the newcoming expats from different countries have a good salary — first of all to pay taxes but also to be able to cover living costs at least.
Important to remember: once obtaining a voucher and starting the course you will still be paid your unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld) as long as you’re eligible.
Who Can Get a Training Voucher?
While applying for a Bildungsgutschein each case is unique: the approval depends on the course you chose, the Berater you have, the price that the government decides to pay and your current professional situation.
Story of our student
Anna came to us for a consultation in early July, asking for help with obtaining a Bildungsgutschein.
She had already worked as an accountant in her home country for many years, then moved to Germany and was living on unemployment benefits —
which she wanted to replace with a stable salary in her profession. Her spoken German was weak, but she had a B1 certificate.
An ideal case for the Berater (employment counselor) — which meant, we thought, that the voucher was as good as granted.
She applied for an appointment with the Berater in July 2024, but the meeting was scheduled only for September!
And then — an unexpected rejection: the counselor decided that she should look for a course closer to home…
(yes, that can be an argument too). The only nearby option was a C1-level course.
We filed an appeal, and voilà — the Bildungsgutschein was approved in October.
Four months of waiting were worth it: Anna completed additional training in Lohnbuchhaltung (payroll accounting),
improved her German, and now works as an accountant at a German company.
Fortunately, there are still some common criteria for a person that aims to get an education in Germany for free with a Bildungsgutschein. Below is the list of what you must have to apply for a Bildungsgutschein:
- You must live in Germany and be registered (Anmeldung) for at least 1 year
- You must have higher education or vocational training
- You must have a confirmed B1 level of German
- You must be registered or ready to register at the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit
- You must be officially unemployed or have a Minijob (part-time freelance job where you can earn up to €538 per month)
Here you can compare types of recipients and requirements and find out what course to choose according to your status:
| Type of recipient / status | Key requirements or condition | Example of course |
| Unemployed and receiving Arbeitslosengeld | You must show that further training will lead to a job placement or end your unemployment | IT bootcamp, accounting certification, web development |
| At risk of unemployment / fixed-term contract expiring | You must demonstrate that training will help prevent job loss | SAP training, digital marketing, language + business courses |
| Employed but needing skills upgrade | You need to justify necessity (e.g. changes in your industry) | Advanced accounting in taxes, data analytics, project management |
| Migrants / foreigners with residence status | Must reside legally in Germany, registered, and meet other criteria above | Lohn-, Finanz- und Bilanzbuchhalter course in DWW Akademie |
| People lacking formal qualification | Training to obtain missing professional qualifications | Retraining / Umschulung in nursing, IT, technical professions |
All the courses and vocational training must have a certification of AZAV (Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsverordnung Arbeitsförderung) — the Accreditation and Approval Regulation for Employment Promotion. This guarantees that the education provided is relevant to the labor market, transparent, and effective in helping participants find employment.
How to Get a Free Education in Germany for Foreigners: step-by-step instruction
Follow these steps to apply for funding in a most comfortable and easy way.
- Register as unemployed or job-seeking at your local Agentur für Arbeit
Easy to find: go here and find the nearest one by adding your living address.
- Get an Angebot (proposal) from a school you would like to study at
Angebot is an offer to learn at a particular school which shows that you already had a consultation, know the program and tuition fee, took a professional test, and are ready to speak about your future career.
- Schedule a Termin — consultation with your Berater (Beratungsgespräch)
Request a counseling session at the Agentur für Arbeit / Jobcenter to discuss your career goals, your current qualifications, and possible training paths.
- Prepare your application documents
Before the meeting, gather:
- Your CV
- Certificates of education / training / work experience
- Proof of registration / residence in Germany
- If applicable, proof of unemployment benefits
- A proposal or selection of training programs you are interested in
- Attend the consultation interview
In the meeting, explain why you need training, how it fits into your career plan, and which course you want to attend. The counselor assesses whether a Weiterbildung or Umschulung is justified.
- Get a Bildungsgutschein
If approved, the agency will issue the voucher. It includes:
- The educational goal
- The duration and valid period
- The region in which the training is permitted
- The approved course types and provider criteria
- Select and register with a training provider
Use KURSNET (the official platform by Bundesagentur für Arbeit) to search for AZAV-certified courses. Register for a course that matches the voucher’s conditions. The provider must confirm the training and present the voucher to the Employment Agency before the program begins.
- Begin training within the voucher’s validity
You must start the course during the voucher’s validity period (often within 3–6 months). Otherwise, the voucher expires.
- Monitoring and reporting
During the course, you may need to report progress, especially if you receive unemployment benefits. Inform the agency of any changes. If your voucher request is denied, you can appeal (Widerspruch) against the agency’s decision using the formal process described in their notice.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Bildungsgutschein
As I mentioned before, the decision to issue a Bildungsgutschein depends on many factors. But in most cases, it all comes down to you — how well you present your arguments, how you look, how you communicate, and how much positive energy and motivation you can convey to your Berater.
Over the years, we’ve gathered a list of common mistakes that can prevent applicants from getting a Bildungsgutschein. Here’s how to avoid these pitfalls and increase your chances of success right from the first step:
| ❌You come to the appointment without knowing anything about the profession or job market | This shows berater that you’re not motivated enough to study ✅Explain what job you want, what vacancies exist and how the course will help you find a job |
| ❌You choose a course without AZAV certification | Such courses are not eligible for funding, and your Berater will reject your application immediately ✅Ask your school to send you an AZAV certificate |
| ❌You come to the appointment without all the documents | No CV, no certificates, no printed course description — this looks careless and unprepared ✅Go to the previous chapter of this article to find minimum required list of documents and prepare in advance |
| ❌You can’t explain why you chose this specific course | Don’t say “I just want to try something new” ✅There must be logical connection between your background, the course, and your employment goal |
| ❌You choose a course too far from where you live | Distance matters but remember the story of our student Anna ✅Explain that you are going to take an online course that is much better than a school nearby: it has live lessons and strong program with AI |
| ❌You show low motivation and lack confidence | If you seem passive or unsure, it’s hard to convince the Berater you’re ready for training and employment ✅ Have a cup of espresso and energize yourself: show your excitement, be precise and confident |
FAQ
- Can I get a Bildungsgutschein if I’m already employed?
Sometimes, if your job is at risk or you need skills essential for maintaining your employment, you may qualify.
- Can foreigners or migrants receive it?
Yes, provided you are legally resident in Germany and registered (Anmeldung), and meet the other criteria.
- Do courses in English count?
They can — but it’s harder to find English-language courses approved under Bildungsgutschein. You’ll need to find certified providers that offer courses in English.
- What if my voucher is denied?
You can file a formal appeal (Widerspruch) against the decision with the agency.
- Does the voucher pay for everything?
It covers the training fees, materials, travel, accommodation if needed, and may allow continuation of unemployment benefits, within legal limits.
Leave a Reply