Key Takeaways
- What it is: A state-funded education voucher covering 100% of training costs.
- Who it is for: Residents in Germany who are unemployed, facing unemployment, or need upskilling to secure their job.
- Issuer: The Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency).
- Goal: To reintegrate you into the labor market with in-demand skills.
- Coverage: Tuition, learning materials, and often travel or childcare expenses.
Finding yourself without a job or facing an uncertain career future can be stressful. However, in Germany, this challenge often comes with a significant opportunity. The state provides a powerful tool to help you pivot into a new career without bearing the financial burden yourself: the Bildungsgutschein.
Many international residents specifically search for a Bildungsgutschein for foreigners, wondering if they are eligible for this funding. The answer is yes,this educational voucher is available to residents in Germany regardless of citizenship, allowing applicants to obtain funding for a range of formation courses, including courses like ours.
While we introduce the basics of the Bildungsgutschein in our funding page, this article will dive deeper into detailed tips and strategies to make sure your application for this voucher is successful.
Table of Contents
What is a Bildungsgutschein?
A Bildungsgutschein (educational voucher) is a document issued by the German Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) that guarantees the assumption of all costs for a specific vocational training.
The primary goal of this initiative is not just to educate, but to fix unemployment. The agency views this as an investment: they pay for your upskilling now so that you can find long-term employment in a high-demand field, such as software development, data analytics, or product design, in the near future.
Once you receive the voucher, you can choose a certified educational provider (like WBS CODING SCHOOL) to redeem it. You will not have to pay the school directly, nor will you have to pay the money back to the state once you are employed. It is essentially the government betting on your future success.
Who is eligible for a Bildungsgutschein?
You are generally eligible for a Bildungsgutschein if you are currently unemployed, facing imminent unemployment, or need a vocational qualification to secure your professional future.
Eligibility is decided on a case-by-case basis by your case worker (Berater:in). It is important to know that obtaining a Bildungsgutschein for foreigners follows the same criteria as it does for German citizens. You typically qualify if you fall into one of these three categories:
- You are currently unemployed: You are registered as unemployed and possess no vocational qualification, or your current qualification is no longer sufficient to find a job in the current market.
- You are at risk of unemployment: You are currently employed, but your contract is expiring, your company is restructuring, or your role is becoming obsolete, and you need new skills to avoid becoming unemployed.
- You need retraining to secure your professional future: You need to reintegrate into the labor market after a long break (for example, after raising a family) and lack the current skills to do so.
Note: To apply, you generally need to be a resident in Germany and have completed your official registration (Anmeldung).
How to apply for a Bildungsgutschein?
Applying for a Bildungsgutschein involves registering as a job seeker, scheduling a consultation with the Agentur für Arbeit, and convincing your case worker that a specific training will lead to employment.
The process is fairly straightforward if you follow these steps systematically:
- Register with the authorities: If you haven’t already, register as a job seeker (arbeitssuchend) or unemployed (arbeitslos) via the Agentur für Arbeit website or by visiting your local office.
- Request a consultation: Book an appointment with a case worker. This meeting is mandatory, as they are the ones who ultimately decide if a voucher is necessary for your career integration. You can usually book this online or by calling 0800 4 555500.
- Get a Bildungsangebot: While waiting for your appointment, apply to your desired school. You do not need the voucher to apply! In fact, applying to a school like WBS CODING SCHOOL first is helpful because we provide you with a Bildungsangebot (a written quote/offer) that you can present to your case worker to show exactly what you intend to study.
- The Interview: Present your case to your agent. If they agree that the training will lead to a job, they will issue the Bildungsgutschein.
- Redeem the voucher: You hand the voucher to us (the school), we fill it out, and you return it to the Agentur für Arbeit for final approval.
How long does the application process take?
The application process typically takes anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on appointment availability and the speed of internal processing.
- Registration & Appointment: Getting your first meeting can take a few days to a few weeks.
- Approval: If you are well-prepared, approval can happen in the first meeting. However, if your agent needs more documents or wants you to look for jobs first, it may require a follow-up meeting.
Processing: Once you hand in the signed voucher from the school, final approval is usually quick (often within a few days).
4 Insider tips to secure your voucher
Your case worker manages public funds and needs to be convinced that investing in you will pay off. They are looking for a return on investment: your employment. Here is how to make your case undeniable.
1. Get on your agent’s good side with preparation
Your agent will be most willing to help those who help themselves, so you should make their decision as easy as possible. Your agent is not a waiter on a cruise ship; they have high caseloads and limited time. To stand out:
- Bring the paperwork: Always show up with your CV, certificates, proof of job search efforts, and the Bildungsangebot (course offer) from the school.
- Show passion: Don’t be shy about conveying your conviction. If you have an old memory of fixing your father’s computer or tinkering with HTML, tell them! It communicates an innate ability and genuine interest.
- Build rapport: Sincere personal anecdotes build trust. If you show you care about your future, they are more likely to care too.
2. Research the job market thoroughly
Your agent is not necessarily an expert in the tech industry, so you must prove that the specific bootcamp you want to join leads to jobs. Do not expect your agent to know that “Python” is in demand—you must show them.
- Check vacancies: Go to job portals (like LinkedIn or StepStone) and print out 5–10 ads for the role you want (e.g., “Junior Web Developer”).
- Compare numbers: If there are significantly more vacancies in tech than in your previous field, show this data. It makes a strong case that re-training is the only logical step.
- Bring news: Tech is booming. Print out news articles reporting the high demand for programmers or data analysts and bring them to the meeting.
3. Relate the course to your job search
You need to draw a direct line between the syllabus of the course and the requirements of employers.
- Match keywords: If the bootcamp teaches JavaScript, print out job ads that list “JavaScript” as a requirement and highlight it in neon marker. Show the agent: “The market needs X, this course teaches X.”
- Use rejections to your advantage: If you have rejection letters stating you lacked specific skills (like UX Design or React), show them! It proves you are actively looking for work and that the course covers exactly what you are missing to get hired.
- Employment rates: Mention the employment stats of the school. For example, mention that high percentages of bootcamp graduates find jobs within six months. This offers the agent security in their decision.
4. Things NOT to say to your agent
While honesty is important, certain phrases can trigger “red flags” regarding your employability and should be avoided.
- Don’t mention moving abroad: The Agentur für Arbeit invests to strengthen the German labor market. Do not say you plan to move to New York or elsewhere soon.
- Avoid “Freelancing”: Do not say you want to be self-employed or a freelancer immediately. The agency prioritizes social security-paying jobs (sozialversicherungspflichtige Beschäftigung), which are considered safer and more stable.
- Don’t say “I’d be happy with anything”: This suggests a lack of direction. Be specific about why this specific school and this specific tech stack are right for your career goals.
- Don’t undercut yourself: Never imply you could “just teach yourself” or that your interest is casual (e.g., “my friend is doing it”).
What cost is covered by a Bildungsgutschein?
The Bildungsgutschein covers 100% of the costs related to your professional training, including tuition, materials, and necessary additional expenses.
The funding is comprehensive and designed to remove financial barriers so you can focus entirely on learning. Specifically, the voucher covers:
- Course fees: The full tuition of the bootcamp or training program.
- Learning materials: Books, software licenses, or hardware required for the course.
- Travel expenses: Costs for commuting to the educational facility (if it is an on-site course).
- Childcare: Expenses for childcare may be covered if the training prevents you from looking after your children.
- Subsistence: If you are receiving unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld I or Bürgergeld), these usually continue during your training.
FAQs
Can I apply for a Bildungsgutschein if I’m not a German citizen?
Yes. Obtaining a Bildungsgutschein for foreigners follows the same rules as for German citizens: you can apply as long as you have a valid residency permit that includes a work permit for Germany. You typically need to be officially registered in Germany (Anmeldung). The key factor is your access to the German labor market, not your citizenship.
How long is the Bildungsgutschein valid?
The Bildungsgutschein usually has a validity period of up to three months. This means you must start your chosen course within this timeframe. If you miss the window, the voucher expires, and you would have to apply again.
What programs can I join with a Bildungsgutschein?
You can join any certified vocational training program listed in the KURSNET database of the Agentur für Arbeit. At WBS CODING SCHOOL, all our bootcamps are fully certified for the Bildungsgutschein. Popular options include:
Summary
Applying for a Bildungsgutschein is a process that requires patience and preparation, but the reward is life-changing: a high-quality education that paves the way for a modern, future-proof career, at no cost to you.
Remember that a delay is not a final rejection. If your agent is hesitant, ask what specific information they are missing, gather more evidence using the tips above, and try again. Stay persistent, professional, and focused on your goal.
Ready to take the next step?
