Germany’s government proposes raising the course and exam costs eligible for advanced vocational training aid and forgiving a larger share of the loan after participants pass their exams. At a hearing of the Bundestag’s Committee on Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth on November 9, 2026, witnesses broadly backed the direction of the bill. Representatives of the skilled trades and trade unions pressed for additional changes, including support for second qualifications and living costs during part-time training. The existing amounts still apply to applications.
Key facts
- Up to €18,000 in course and exam fees would be eligible for support, up from €15,000.
- Employer contributions for the same purpose would no longer reduce the allowance for training costs.
- The childcare allowance for eligible single parents would rise from €150 to €160 per child per month. It covers full-time and part-time courses.
- The committee held a public hearing on the government’s bill. The proposed changes still await a decision.
Which training costs would qualify for more support?
Germany’s Aufstiegs-BAföG programme helps fund advanced vocational courses, including training for master craft qualifications. Under section 12 of the Advanced Vocational Training Assistance Act, half of the eligible training-cost allowance is paid as a grant. Eligible applicants can take out a loan from KfW, Germany’s public development bank, for the remaining share. For a master craft examination piece, up to half of the necessary materials costs are eligible under current law, subject to a separate ceiling. The amounts set out in the Bundestag’s summary of the bill apply to different parts of the programme.
| Component | Current rule | Government proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Course and exam fees, eligible maximum | €15,000 | €18,000 |
| Master craft examination piece or equivalent, eligible maximum | €2,000 | €4,000 |
| Forgiveness after passing, share of the relevant loan | 50% | 60% |
| Childcare allowance for single parents, per child per month | €150 | €160 |
Under section 13b, exam-based forgiveness applies to the portion of the course and exam fee loan that has yet to fall due when the borrower passes. Participants who take out that loan and submit their exam certificate could have a larger share forgiven under the bill. The proposed 60% applies to that loan balance. The grant and the loan together make up the aid available for eligible fees.
When an employer contributes towards the same costs, the allowance is currently calculated on the costs left after that contribution, under section 10. The bill would remove that deduction for employer contributions. The childcare allowance applies to single parents living with children under 14 or with children with disabilities.
Where witnesses want more support
The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training backed extending standard eligibility to a second qualification at the same level. Sandra Garbade, president of the federal institute, gave the example of taking a second master craft qualification in another trade. She told the committee that funding a second qualification was currently possible only in exceptional cases.
The unions ver.di and the German Trade Union Confederation raised the cost of living while in training. Existing living-cost support during courses is tied to full-time study. The confederation proposed a partial living allowance for workers who cut their contracted hours by 25% to 50% to train. Its proposal addresses lost earnings during training. The higher fee limits in the government’s bill address the cost of the course and examination.
The education committee can take up the witnesses’ proposals when it continues considering the bill. The Bundestag’s report of the hearing gave no date for a final vote.
