Education

Rights and duties during an apprenticeship (contract, probation, pay, termination)

The essential terms of the training contract must be recorded in text form before training starts and entered in the register kept by the competent chamber (IHK/HWK); probation lasts 1 to 4 months and either side may terminate without notice during it, after which apprentices can only give 4 weeks' notice to give up the training or switch occupation, otherwise termination needs an important reason. Anyone starting dual training in 2026 must be paid at least €724 a month in the first year (collective agreements excepted), and the chambers' training counsellors help when problems arise.

Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

During an apprenticeship, both the trainee and the training company have rights and duties. Key rules are in the training contract (Berufsausbildungsvertrag): pay, the probation period, leave and the conditions for termination. Read it carefully before you sign 1 3 4.

Who needs this

Anyone starting or already in vocational training: you must do your training tasks carefully, attend vocational school (Berufsschule), follow safety rules, keep your training record (Ausbildungsnachweis) and keep company secrets. The company must teach you the knowledge and skills needed for the occupation, provide work equipment and release you for vocational school and examinations 1 3.
For minors, the contract record must also include the name and address of their legal representatives 4.

Step by step

Check the contract. Among other things it must state the training goal, start and duration, training location, daily training time, probation period (Probezeit), pay (Ausbildungsvergütung), compensation for overtime, leave and the conditions for termination. Before signing, ask whether the company is bound by a collective agreement (Tarifvertrag) and what pay it provides 3 4.
The company must put the essential contract terms in text form promptly after the contract is concluded, at the latest before training starts, and give or send it to you. As a rule, the competent chamber of industry and commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer, IHK) or chamber of crafts (Handwerkskammer, HWK) checks and registers the contract 3 4.
Know your rights during training: your tasks must belong to the training and must not be physically too heavy, and you may take leave. If you are ill, inform the company and vocational school immediately; you do not have to say what you have. Whether you need a doctor's certificate depends on your company's rules 1.
Use the probation period to check whether the occupation and the company suit you 10.
Get support with problems before you drop out. For contract violations (for example no training, no pay, overtime), the IHK, HWK or the youth and trainee representation (Jugend- und Auszubildendenvertretung, JAV) help free of charge and confidentially; the chambers' training advisers are also there for you. If dropping out is on the cards, talk first to someone you trust or your Agentur für Arbeit 2 3.

Documents

The contract record must be handed to you or sent so that, if electronic, you can save and print it; for minors, the legal representatives receive it too. It also states the form of your training record 4.
If you are under 18, a doctor's certificate of the initial examination must be shown for inspection before the contract can be entered in the register of training relationships 6.

Cost and time

Monthly training pay is set out in the contract and rises at least once a year as training progresses 3 5.
For dual apprenticeships starting between 1 January and 31 December 2026, the minimum pay is €724 in the first, €854 in the second, €977 in the third and €1,014 in the fourth training year 9.
Companies bound by a collective agreement may follow it even if it provides less. Companies not bound may pay at most 20 percent less than the collective rate for their sector and region. Pay may be lower for part-time training 5 9.
Statutory minimum leave is 30 working days if you are not yet 16, 27 under 17 and 25 under 18. The contract or collective agreement may provide more 3.
The final examination is free for trainees 7.

Deadlines

Probation lasts at least one and at most four months. During it, either side may terminate without notice and without giving reasons; termination must be in writing and reach the other side before probation ends 3 10.
After probation, you can terminate with four weeks' notice if you want to give up training altogether or train in a different occupation; this must be in writing and state the reason. Otherwise, after probation termination is only possible without notice for an important reason, for you and for the company alike 3 11.
For minors, a termination only takes effect once it reaches the legal representative 10.