Vocational training allowance (BAB) and financial support during an apprenticeship

If your training pay does not cover your living costs, you may qualify for vocational training assistance (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe, BAB). It is a monthly grant from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) that you do not repay. Other forms of support may help with the costs of starting or completing training. 12

Who needs this

• BAB may be available during training in a recognised occupation, a vocational preparation programme (Berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahme, BvB), or the preparatory phase of assisted training (Assistierte Ausbildung, AsA). BAB is not available for school-based training or if you already receive comparable support from another authority. After completing a first training programme lasting at least two years, BAB for a second training programme is available only in a few exceptional cases. Special rules apply if you have a disability. 14
• For vocational training, you must live outside your parents’ home. Normally, the training location must also be too far away to reach from their home in a reasonable time. That distance condition does not apply if you are at least 18, are or were married or in a registered partnership, live with a child, or cannot be expected to live with your parents for serious social reasons. 7
• If you have permission to stay as an asylum seeker (Aufenthaltsgestattung), you cannot receive BAB during vocational training. If you have tolerated status (Duldung), you may qualify after at least 15 months of uninterrupted lawful, permitted or tolerated residence in Germany, provided the other conditions are met. Other non-German applicants can contact the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) to check their entitlement. 17

Step by step

1. Check your likely BAB amount using the BAB calculator, then apply online, in person at the Employment Agency, or by calling 0800 4 5555 00. The agency checks your circumstances and sends a written decision (Bescheid). If approved, BAB is transferred to your account monthly. 14
2. If approved for vocational training, check when you need to apply for continued payment (Weiterbewilligungsantrag). BAB is usually paid for an initial 18 months; you can then request it for the rest of your training. You can make this request online. 1
3. If BAB is not available, check whether you qualify for housing benefit (Wohngeld). For school-based training, student training support (Schüler-BAföG) may be possible. In a financial emergency during training, ask your local job centre (Jobcenter) about benefits for trainees; during company-based training or a vocational preparation programme, BAB or training allowance (Ausbildungsgeld) takes priority. 26
4. If you need help with application, interview or necessary moving costs, discuss the placement budget (Vermittlungsbudget) with your careers adviser before you incur costs. If training requires a move because the training location is outside the usual daily commuting range, meaning at least two hours of travel for the round trip, discuss the mobility allowance (Mobilitätszuschuss) with your adviser before applying. It can fund two family trips home per month during the first training year, whether or not you make the trips; there is no legal entitlement to it. 25

Documents

• For BAB, provide your training documents, including the training contract, and your parents’ tax assessment or annual wage statement for the calendar year before last. Provide the equivalent income evidence for your spouse or registered partner if applicable. The Employment Agency may request further documents. 1
• For the mobility allowance, upload your signed training contract if you did not submit it with the application, and provide documents supporting your costs. 5

Cost and time

• Your BAB amount depends on factors including training pay, relevant family income, allowances and additional needs. Income above certain allowances can reduce BAB. For a vocational preparation programme, income is generally not counted. 1
• BAB for a vocational preparation programme is paid for the duration of participation. 1

Deadlines

• Apply for BAB as early as possible, preferably before training or the programme starts: it can be paid retrospectively only from the month in which you apply. 1
• Apply for the mobility allowance no later than the day before training begins, after discussing it with your adviser. 5