How to get an education voucher in 2026 (Bildungsgutschein)

Key Takeaways

• What it is: A document (Bildungsgutschein) guaranteeing 100% government funding for your further training.
• Who issues it: Your local Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency) is the sole financing authority (since 2025), even for Jobcenter clients.
• Who is it for: Unemployed individuals, job seekers, or employees at risk of losing their jobs.
• What it covers: Tuition fees, course materials, and often travel or childcare costs.
• Validity: Typically 3 months from the date of issue.

Changing careers can feel daunting, especially when you factor in the costs of high-quality training. But here is the good news: in Germany, money does not have to be a barrier to your professional growth.

As we move into 2026, the demand for digital skills in Germany continues to skyrocket. To bridge this gap, the German government actively supports people who want to retrain or upskill through the Education Voucher (known in German as the Bildungsgutschein). Whether you are currently looking for work, hoping to switch industries, or simply want to secure your future in a changing job market, this voucher can be your golden ticket to a debt-free education.

In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to secure your funding and start your tech career this year.

What is an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein)?

An education voucher is a funding document issued by the Agentur für Arbeit that guarantees the government will pay 100% of your vocational training costs.

Think of it as a “check” that you can use to pay for a certified course at an approved educational provider. It is not cash that goes into your bank account; instead, you present the voucher to a certified school (like WBS CODING SCHOOL), and the government pays the school directly. The goal is simple: to reintegrate you into the labor market as quickly as possible by giving you the skills that employers are actually looking for.

What does it cover?

The Bildungsgutschein covers the full financial cost of your training, ensuring you do not have to pay for tuition, materials, or associated expenses out of pocket.

It is designed to remove the financial burden of learning so you can focus entirely on your studies. Generally, it covers:

• Tuition fees: 100% of the cost for your bootcamp or course.
• Learning materials: Books, software licenses, and other necessary tools.
• Travel expenses: Costs for commuting to the educational facility (if applicable).
• Childcare: Support for childcare costs if the training prevents you from looking after your children during the day.
• Subsistence: In many cases, you will continue to receive your unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld I or Bürgergeld) while you study.

Who is eligible for an education voucher?

You are eligible for an education voucher if you are currently unemployed, facing imminent unemployment, or need specific upskilling to secure your current job.

The decision to grant a voucher is usually at the discretion of your case worker, but you generally qualify if:

• You are currently registered as unemployed (or seeking work).
• You have no vocational qualification, or your old qualification is no longer sufficient to find a job (e.g., your industry is shrinking).
• The training will significantly improve your chances of finding a job.

Can foreigners and expats apply?

Yes, foreigners and expats can absolutely apply for an education voucher as long as they have a valid residency permit that allows them to work in Germany.

If you are registered with the Employment Agency or Jobcenter, you have the same access to funding as German citizens. At WBS CODING SCHOOL, we see many expats launch successful tech careers this way. Since our bootcamps are taught entirely in English, language barriers in the classroom are not an issue. Here is a guide on how to change careers into tech!

How to get an education voucher in 2026

Securing an education voucher in 2026 follows a structured process that centers on the Agentur für Arbeit as the sole financing authority.

Important Update: Since 2025, the Agentur für Arbeit manages all Bildungsgutschein approvals. This has slightly changed the process for Jobcenter clients, often requiring a referral step.

Step 1: Check if you qualify

First, confirm that you are officially registered as “job seeking” (arbeitssuchend) or “unemployed” (arbeitslos) in the system. This status is required whether you receive Arbeitslosengeld I (unemployment benefit) or Bürgergeld (citizen’s income), or if your fixed-term contract is ending soon.

Step 2: Research suitable courses

You must find a course that is AZAV-certified, as this accreditation is legally required for the voucher to be valid. Look for a course that fits your career goals and has high demand in the job market, like Data Science, Data Analytics, or Software Engineering & AI.

• Pro Tip: Do not go to your appointment empty-handed. Find a specific course offer that interests you (for example, check out the WBS CODING SCHOOL courses) and print out the details.

Step 3: Contact your advisor (The “Referral” Step)

Contacting your advisor is your next move, but the specific contact depends on which office manages your case:

• If you are with the Agentur für Arbeit (ALG I): Contact them directly to book a consultation for professional training (Beratungsgespräch für berufliche Weiterbildung).
• If you are with the Jobcenter (Bürgergeld): Contact your Jobcenter advisor first to identify your “training need,” and then ask them to refer you to the Agentur für Arbeit for the official voucher consultation and approval.

Step 4: Attend your personal consultation

You will then attend a meeting with an advisor at the Agentur für Arbeit to prove that this training is necessary for your reintegration into the job market.

• Tip: Be prepared with a clear motivation. Instead of saying “I want to learn coding,” say “I want to retrain as a Software Developer because there are thousands of open positions in this field, and my current skills in [Old Industry] are no longer in demand.”

Step 5: Receive your voucher and enroll

If your application is successful, your advisor will issue the Bildungsgutschein, specifying the educational goal (e.g., “Training as a Full-Stack Developer”) and validity period.

Once you have the physical document, submit it to your chosen school immediately. At WBS CODING SCHOOL, we handle the administrative heavy lifting from there, helping you finalize your enrollment so you can start your journey.

Tips for a successful application

To ensure your application is successful, you should make it easy for your case worker to justify the expense by being thoroughly prepared.

• Prepare your documents: Have your updated CV, residency permit (if applicable), and proof of previous qualifications ready.
• Bring a concrete course recommendation: Advisors appreciate it when you have done your homework. Bring a flyer or a course curriculum from us that shows the price, duration, and content.
• Explain your motivation clearly: Connect the dots between the course and a job. Show them job advertisements that require the skills you want to learn.
• Emphasize employability: Tech roles are in high demand. Highlight that sectors like Data and Software Development are desperate for skilled workers.
• Be cooperative: Show that you are eager to work. A “growth mindset”—believing that your abilities can be developed through dedication—is exactly the attitude that convinces advisors.

Start your journey with WBS CODING SCHOOL

WBS CODING SCHOOL is the ideal partner for your career change, offering accredited bootcamps that are fully eligible for the education voucher.

We believe that the tech industry should be a realm of opportunity open to everyone, not a restrictive club. WBS CODING SCHOOL offers Bildungsgutschein-certified programs in Data Science, Data Analytics, and Software Engineering & AI. Our courses are:

• Fully funded (for eligible applicants).
• Taught in English, making them accessible to an international community.
• Remote/Online, so you can learn from anywhere in Germany.
• Community-driven, ensuring you never feel alone in your learning journey.

Do not wait for the future to happen to you. Apply now and let us help you turn that voucher into a career you love.

FAQs

Q1: Is the education voucher available to everyone? No, the education voucher is not available to everyone; it is a discretionary benefit granted only if your case worker decides it is necessary to end your unemployment or prevent job loss.

Q2: Can I apply if I’m not fluent in German? Yes, you can apply for the voucher even if you are not fluent in German, provided you bring a translator to your appointments if needed. The training itself can be taken entirely in English if you choose an English-speaking provider like WBS CODING SCHOOL.

Q3: How long does the approval process take? The approval process usually takes a few weeks, primarily due to the wait times for securing an appointment with the Agentur für Arbeit. Once the meeting takes place, the decision to issue the voucher is often made immediately.

Q4: Does the voucher expire? Yes, the Bildungsgutschein expires typically three months after the date of issue. You must start your chosen course within this specific timeframe, or the voucher becomes invalid.

Q5: Can I choose any course I want? No, you cannot choose any course; you must select a program that is certified under AZAV (Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsverordnung Arbeitsförderung) to be eligible for funding. Here is a guide on how to find the right courses on KURSNET.

Q6: Do I have to pay anything back? No, you do not have to pay anything back because the voucher is a government grant, not a loan.