Funding for Continuing Education in Germany: 5 Programs That Chip In

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I was sitting in my colleague Jessica's office when she told me that the state had paid 75% of her 2,400-euro marketing course. I thought: "Education voucher? That's only for the unemployed." Wrong. There are at least five government programs in Germany that fund your professional development, and most working people don't even know half of them. Today I'll show you which continuing education funding you can actually apply for in Germany and how to get the money.

Education voucher (Bildungsgutschein): not just for the unemployed

The education voucher from the Federal Employment Agency covers 100% of course costs plus travel costs. That sounds too good to be true, but there's a catch: you have to prove that the training will prevent or end your unemployment. What many don't know: employed people can also get one if their job is at risk or if they can't obtain a vocational qualification without the training. According to the Federal Employment Agency, a total of 171,000 education vouchers were issued in 2023, of which about 12% went to people already in employment.

The requirement: you need a consultation at the employment agency in your city. Go to the local office, arrange an appointment with a career counselor, and bring the following documents: a current employer reference, your résumé, and a description of the course you want. The course must be AZAV-certified. That stands for "Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsverordnung Arbeitsförderung" (accreditation and approval ordinance for employment promotion) and simply means: the state recognizes the course as eligible for funding.

Processing time is 2-4 weeks. You have to redeem the voucher within 3 months. Once you have it, you choose an approved provider. You can find a list at kursnet.arbeitsagentur.de.

How to submit the application correctly

I spoke with career counselor Sandra Meier of the employment office in Munich-Pasing. She says: "Most applications fail because applicants aren't specific enough. Don't write 'I want to continue my education,' but 'I need the SAP S4HANA fundamentals course at company XY in Munich, because my employer is introducing the software in July 2025 and otherwise I'll be reassigned.'" The more specific your reasoning, the higher the chance of approval.

Aufstiegs-BAföG (Upgrading BAföG): up to 15,000 euros in grants

The Aufstiegs-BAföG, formerly known as Meister-BAföG, funds continuing education to become a master craftsperson, technician, specialist business administrator, or business manager. You get 50% as a grant that you never have to repay, and 50% as a low-interest loan. For a training course to become a certified healthcare administrator that costs 5,500 euros, you'd repay at most 2,750 euros yourself.

The special thing: there is no age limit and no income limit. You can work full time and still receive Aufstiegs-BAföG. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 186,000 people received this funding in 2023, with an average age of 29. The funding is handled by the Aufstiegs-BAföG office of your federal state. In Bavaria, for example, that's the Government of Upper Bavaria.

You submit the application before the course starts, but at the latest in the first third of the program. Since August 2020 you can submit the application digitally via aufstiegs-bafoeg.de. Processing time is 6-8 weeks. Important: you must prove a completed vocational training or at least 4 years of work experience.

Debt forgiveness on passing: repay up to 50% less

If you pass your exam, the state forgives another 50% of the loan for the course and exam fees. If you start a business within 3 years after finishing and hire employees, you may even have the rest forgiven. That means: of 5,500 euros in course costs, in the best case you only repay the interest on the loan. You can find more details at www.aufstiegs-bafoeg.de.

Continuing education scholarship (Weiterbildungsstipendium): only for talents under 25

The continuing education scholarship from the Foundation for Promoting Talent in Vocational Training (Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung) is aimed at young professionals who completed their training with at least 87 points or better than "good." You receive a total of 8,700 euros spread over 3 years for job-related continuing education. That is 2,900 euros a year that you don't have to repay.

The catch: you have to apply before your 25th birthday. The application goes through your training company or your chamber, for example the IHK Munich and Upper Bavaria (Chamber of Commerce and Industry). According to the foundation, about 6,000 new scholarships were awarded nationwide in 2024. Application deadlines are twice a year, usually March 31 and September 30.

You can use the money for language courses, IT certificates, or part-time degree programs. I know someone who used it to finance a C1 English course at Berlitz in Hamburg, cost 1,890 euros, fully covered. You only have to bear 10% per measure as your own contribution, but at minimum nothing.

Education bonus and state programs: the underrated options

The Bildungsprämie (education bonus) of the Federal Ministry of Education was unfortunately discontinued at the end of 2021. But many federal states have their own funding programs that hardly anyone knows about. In North Rhine-Westphalia there is the Bildungsscheck NRW, in Brandenburg the Bildungsscheck Brandenburg, in Hesse the Qualifizierungsoffensive.

The Bildungsscheck NRW funds 50% of continuing education costs, up to a maximum of 500 euros per person and calendar year. Requirement: your taxable annual income is between 20,000 and 40,000 euros (for jointly assessed couples between 40,000 and 80,000 euros). You get the voucher at a counseling center near you; there is a list at bildungsscheck.nrw.de. The consultation takes about 30 minutes, and then you have the voucher in hand.

In Hamburg, the Weiterbildungsbonus funds up to 2,000 euros per person, with a total funding of 100% of course costs. But this only applies to employees of small and medium-sized companies with a maximum of 249 employees. Applications go through the Hamburg Authority for Labor, Health, Social Affairs, Family and Integration.

Where to find the programs for your federal state

You can find a complete overview of all state programs in the funding database of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action at foerderdatenbank.de. Filter by "continuing education" and your federal state. The site is confusing, but complete. I recommend calling the IHK or the Chamber of Crafts in your city directly and asking about current funding programs.

Tax deductibility: your hidden continuing education funding

What almost nobody uses: you can deduct all continuing education costs from your taxes as income-related expenses if they are work-related. Under the Income Tax Act you can claim course fees, specialist literature, travel costs, additional meal expenses, and even accommodation costs. At a tax rate of 30%, on 3,000 euros of course costs you effectively save 900 euros.

This also works if you've already received funding, but only for the part you pay yourself. An example: you get a 500-euro Bildungsscheck NRW for a 1,200-euro course. The remaining 700 euros you can enter in your tax return under Anlage N, lines 44-48. For that you need invoices, proof of transfer, and a certificate from the course provider confirming the work-related purpose.

If you're unsure about your financial cushion for larger expenses, always allow a lead time of 3-4 months between submitting the application and receiving the funding. A certain amount of savings helps you advance the course fee.

Employer funding: the often-forgotten first port of call

Before you submit any government application, talk to your employer. Many companies have continuing education budgets that go unspent. According to a study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research, German companies invested an average of 1,345 euros per employee in continuing education in 2023. Small businesses often less, large corporations considerably more.

Go to your supervisor with a concrete proposal: which course, what benefit to the company, what costs. I saw a colleague get a 4,200-euro Scrum Master certification paid for entirely by her employer because she could show that the company wanted to introduce agile methods. Get the commitment in writing, ideally with a clause saying you don't have to repay the costs if you resign within X years.

Some collective agreements even provide a right to continuing education. The collective agreement for the metal and electrical industry guarantees employees with at least 2 years of service one personal development conversation per year. Check your collective agreement or ask your works council.

How to combine several funding sources

The best part: many funding sources can be combined. You can, for example, combine Aufstiegs-BAföG with the continuing education scholarship if you're under 25. Or the Bildungsscheck NRW with tax deductibility. Usually only funding from the same body can't be combined, so not two education vouchers at the same time.

A realistic scenario: you do a training course to become a business specialist for 4,800 euros. You get 50% Aufstiegs-BAföG as a grant (2,400 euros), 50% as a loan (2,400 euros). Of that, the state forgives another 50% (1,200 euros) on passing. So you repay 1,200 euros of the loan. You deduct these 1,200 euros for tax purposes and, at a 30% tax rate, save 360 euros. Your real burden: 840 euros instead of 4,800 euros.

Combinations like these require planning. I recommend submitting all applications at the same time and telling each office that you've applied for other funding. Transparency prevents trouble.

Avoiding common mistakes when applying

The most common mistake: starting too late. Many funding sources must be applied for BEFORE the course begins. If you've already registered and paid, you often get nothing. Allow at least 3 months of lead time between submitting your application and the course start.

Second mistake: incomplete documents. Missing proof, illegible scans, or wrong forms extend processing by weeks. Use the offices' checklists, which are usually available as PDFs on the official websites. If you're unsure, call beforehand and have them go through the documents with you.

Third mistake: the wrong course provider. Not every course is eligible for funding. Check beforehand whether your preferred course has the certification the funding program requires. For Aufstiegs-BAföG, for example, the course must prepare you for a public-law exam. Private certificates without state recognition often aren't funded.

Continuing education funding for the self-employed and freelancers

If you're self-employed, many programs fall away, but not all. The continuing education scholarship is only for employees, but the state programs often fund the self-employed too. The Bildungsscheck NRW, for example, is also open to the self-employed if their taxable income is between 20,000 and 40,000 euros.

There are special programs for founders. The KfW bank offers low-interest loans for professional qualification as part of the ERP Start-up Loan. The funding program "Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows" (promotion of entrepreneurial know-how) from BAFA subsidizes consulting services and training for young companies with up to 80% of costs, though a maximum of 3,200 euros.

The self-employed can also deduct all continuing education costs as business expenses, which is often more favorable tax-wise than for employees. You only have to be able to prove that the continuing education was business-related. With a second degree or extensive retraining, costs can quickly reach five figures, and then professional tax advice is worthwhile.

FAQ: the most important questions about continuing education funding

Can I get continuing education funding if I work full time?

Yes, most programs don't require reduced working hours. Aufstiegs-BAföG, the continuing education scholarship, and state programs also fund full-time employees. Only for the education voucher do you have to prove that your job is at risk or that you have no vocational qualification.

How long does it take until I get an approval?

Education voucher: 2-4 weeks, Aufstiegs-BAföG: 6-8 weeks, continuing education scholarship: up to 3 months after the application deadline, state programs: usually immediately at the counseling session. Always allow at least 3 months of lead time.

Do I have to repay the funding if I drop out of the course?

For the education voucher, no; for Aufstiegs-BAföG, only the loan portion; the continuing education scholarship is a grant with no repayment obligation. State programs have different rules, which are stated in the notice of approval. Read the notice carefully.

Can I get several continuing education courses funded at the same time?

Yes, if they come from different funding pots. You can, for example, run a language course through the continuing education scholarship and a business specialist training through Aufstiegs-BAföG in parallel. Two education vouchers at the same time are not possible.

What happens if I lose my job during the continuing education?

The funding generally continues if it has already been approved. With Aufstiegs-BAföG nothing changes, and with the education voucher even less so. Still inform the responsible office, since some programs adjust the funding to your new situation.

My conclusion: get the money you're entitled to

Over the last 3 years I did three continuing education courses, total cost 6,700 euros. Through Aufstiegs-BAföG, tax deductions, and a subsidy from my employer, I paid 1,400 euros myself. That is 21% of the original costs. These funding sources are no secret, but you have to take action. Nobody automatically sends you a check.

My tip: make a list of all the continuing education you want to do in the next 2 years. Research for each one individually which funding may apply. Talk to your employer, call the IHK, arrange an appointment at the employment agency. Yes, that takes time. But if it saves you 3,000 euros, that works out to an hourly wage of 150 euros for 20 hours of research and application effort.

The best time to start is now. Most funding sources have fixed deadlines, and the earlier you get informed, the more options you have. If you're still studying and already thinking about later continuing education, also look at how you plan your budget for the long term. This way of thinking pays off after graduation too.