What is an education voucher?

The education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is a funding instrument of the German Federal Employment Agency. It guarantees that the costs of vocational training will be covered – provided you meet the personal requirements and the training is necessary to improve your employment situation.

The legal basis is § 81 SGB III. You can redeem the voucher only with a training provider approved under AZAV and for a certified measure.

New since 01/01/2025: for Jobcenter customers too (Bürgergeld, SGB II), the funding is now handled by the Employment Agency.

Who is eligible?

There is no automatic legal entitlement – the agency decides at its discretion. Good chances typically apply to:

Unemployed and job-seeking people (SGB III)
Bürgergeld recipients (SGB II)
Employees facing imminent unemployment
People without a usable vocational qualification
Returners to work and refugees with a work permit

The decisive factor is professional necessity: the training must help end or prevent unemployment. For in-demand qualifications such as the truck licence this is usually easy to justify.

5 steps to the education voucher

Consult the provider: first clarify with an AZAV provider like Fine Driving which measure suits you – and get the measure number. You'll need it at the agency.
Appointment at the Employment Agency: by phone on 0800 4 5555 00 (free) or online at arbeitsagentur.de.
Consultation & justification: explain your concrete career goal. Proven tip: bring 3–5 matching job ads showing that employers demand exactly this qualification.
Receive the voucher: if the decision is positive, the agency issues the voucher – with training goal, duration and regional validity.
Redeem & start: hand the voucher to the provider and start the measure within the deadline.

We handle the paperwork with you

As an AZAV provider with our own measure number, we prepare all the documents for your agency appointment and support you up to the exam.

Check eligibility Free consultation

Validity & key deadlines

An issued education voucher is time-limited – in practice usually three months. Within that period you must redeem it and start the measure. It is also:

regionally limited (e.g. to providers in your region),
restricted to a specific training goal (e.g. "professional driver, freight transport").

Avoiding rejection: 5 tips

Come well prepared: a concrete career goal plus job ads as evidence of demand.
Have the measure number ready: it shows the measure is AZAV-certified.
Emphasise the labour-market angle: argue with the driver shortage in logistics and transport.
Be early: raise the topic proactively with your contact, not just before the measure starts.
Involve the provider: we support you with the right documents and arguments.

Rejected? That's not the end. Often a second attempt with a better justification, a different contact person or an alternative measure helps. Talk to us.

FAQ

Will the training then cost me nothing?

With an approved voucher the course costs are generally covered up to 100%. Travel costs, childcare or accommodation may also be subsidised. The agency determines what exactly is covered.

How long is the education voucher valid?

Usually three months from issue. Within that time you must redeem it and start the measure.

Can I freely choose the provider?

Yes, within the goal and region stated on the voucher. The provider just has to be AZAV-certified – like Fine Driving.

Do I keep receiving benefits during the measure?

Usually yes. Clarify the details with your contact at the Employment Agency.

This article is for general information and does not replace individual advice. Funding is decided solely by the Employment Agency. As of July 2026.