{"id":70469,"date":"2025-11-24T15:54:57","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/?p=70469"},"modified":"2026-06-01T08:42:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T08:42:05","slug":"education-voucher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/blog\/education-voucher\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get an education voucher in 2026 (Bildungsgutschein)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What it is:<\/strong> A document (<em>Bildungsgutschein<\/em>) guaranteeing 100% government funding for your further training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Who issues it:<\/strong> Your local <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em> (Employment Agency) is the sole financing authority (since 2025), even for Jobcenter clients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Who is it for:<\/strong> Unemployed individuals, job seekers, or employees at risk of losing their jobs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What it covers:<\/strong> Tuition fees, course materials, and often travel or childcare costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Validity:<\/strong> Typically 3 months from the date of issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/bildungsgutschein\/\">Education Voucher<\/a><\/strong> (known in German as the <em>Bildungsgutschein<\/em>). 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to secure your funding and start your tech career this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h3>Table of Contents<\/h3><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-is-an-education-voucher-bildungsgutschein\">What is an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein)?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#what-does-it-cover\">What does it cover?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#who-is-eligible-for-an-education-voucher\">Who is eligible for an education voucher?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#can-foreigners-and-expats-apply\">Can foreigners and expats apply?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-get-an-education-voucher-in-2026\">How to get an education voucher in 2026<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#tips-for-a-successful-application\">Tips for a successful application<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#start-your-journey-with-wbs-coding-school\">Start your journey with WBS CODING SCHOOL<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fa-qs\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-an-education-voucher-bildungsgutschein\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An education voucher is a funding document issued by the <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em> that guarantees the government will pay 100% of your vocational training costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of it as a &#8222;check&#8220; 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-whatisaneducationvoucher-1024x682.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-whatisaneducationvoucher-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-whatisaneducationvoucher-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-whatisaneducationvoucher-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-whatisaneducationvoucher.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-does-it-cover\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What does it cover?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Bildungsgutschein<\/em> covers the full financial cost of your training, ensuring you do not have to pay for tuition, materials, or associated expenses out of pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is designed to remove the financial burden of learning so you can focus entirely on your studies. Generally, it covers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tuition fees:<\/strong> 100% of the cost for your bootcamp or course.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Learning materials:<\/strong> Books, software licenses, and other necessary tools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travel expenses:<\/strong> Costs for commuting to the educational facility (if applicable).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Childcare:<\/strong> Support for childcare costs if the training prevents you from looking after your children during the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Subsistence:<\/strong> In many cases, you will continue to receive your unemployment benefits (<em>Arbeitslosengeld I<\/em> or <em>B\u00fcrgergeld<\/em>) while you study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"who-is-eligible-for-an-education-voucher\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is eligible for an education voucher?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are eligible for an education voucher if you are currently unemployed, facing imminent unemployment, or need specific upskilling to secure your current job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision to grant a voucher is usually at the discretion of your case worker, but you generally qualify if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are currently registered as unemployed (or seeking work).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have no vocational qualification, or your old qualification is no longer sufficient to find a job (e.g., your industry is shrinking).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The training will significantly improve your chances of finding a job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"can-foreigners-and-expats-apply\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can foreigners and expats apply?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 <strong>English<\/strong>, language barriers in the classroom are not an issue. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/blog\/change-careers-into-tech\/\">Here is a guide<\/a> on how to change careers into tech!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-get-an-education-voucher-in-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to get an education voucher in 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Securing an education voucher in 2026 follows a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/blog\/how-to-get-a-bildungsgutschein\/\">structured process<\/a> that centers on the <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em> as the sole financing authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important Update:<\/strong> Since 2025, the <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em> manages all <em>Bildungsgutschein<\/em> approvals. This has slightly changed the process for <em>Jobcenter<\/em> clients, often requiring a referral step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 1: Check if you qualify<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, confirm that you are officially registered as &#8222;job seeking&#8220; (<em>arbeitssuchend<\/em>) or &#8222;unemployed&#8220; (<em>arbeitslos<\/em>) in the system. This status is required whether you receive <em>Arbeitslosengeld I<\/em> (unemployment benefit) or <em>B\u00fcrgergeld<\/em> (citizen\u2019s income), or if your fixed-term contract is ending soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 2: Research suitable courses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must find a course that is <strong>AZAV-certified<\/strong>, 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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/data-science-bootcamp\/\">Data Science<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/data-analytics-bootcamp\/\">Data Analytics<\/a><\/strong>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/one-year-software-engineering-program\/\"><strong>Software Engineering<\/strong> &amp; AI<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Do not go to your appointment empty-handed. Find a specific course offer that interests you (for example, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/courses\/\">WBS CODING SCHOOL courses<\/a>) and print out the details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 3: Contact your advisor (The &#8222;Referral&#8220; Step)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contacting your advisor is your next move, but the specific contact depends on which office manages your case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If you are with the Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit (ALG I):<\/strong> Contact them directly to book a consultation for professional training (<em>Beratungsgespr\u00e4ch f\u00fcr berufliche Weiterbildung<\/em>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you are with the Jobcenter (B\u00fcrgergeld):<\/strong> Contact your Jobcenter advisor first to identify your &#8222;training need,&#8220; and then ask them to <strong>refer<\/strong> you to the <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em> for the official voucher consultation and approval.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 4: Attend your personal consultation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will then attend a meeting with an advisor at the <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em> to prove that this training is necessary for your reintegration into the job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Be prepared with a clear motivation. Instead of saying &#8222;I want to learn coding,&#8220; say &#8222;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.&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 5: Receive your voucher and enroll<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your application is successful, your advisor will issue the <em>Bildungsgutschein<\/em>, specifying the educational goal (e.g., &#8222;Training as a Full-Stack Developer&#8220;) and validity period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/apply\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-_Ad-1024x682.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-_Ad-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-_Ad-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-_Ad-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Education-voucher-_Ad.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"tips-for-a-successful-application\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips for a successful application<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To ensure your application is successful, you should make it easy for your case worker to justify the expense by being thoroughly prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prepare your documents:<\/strong> Have your updated CV, residency permit (if applicable), and proof of previous qualifications ready.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bring a concrete course recommendation:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Explain your motivation clearly:<\/strong> Connect the dots between the course and a job. Show them job advertisements that require the skills you want to learn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emphasize employability:<\/strong> Tech roles are in high demand. Highlight that sectors like Data and Software Development are desperate for skilled workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be cooperative:<\/strong> Show that you are eager to work. A &#8222;growth mindset&#8220;\u2014believing that your abilities can be developed through dedication\u2014is exactly the attitude that convinces advisors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"start-your-journey-with-wbs-coding-school\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Start your journey with WBS CODING SCHOOL<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/\">WBS CODING SCHOOL<\/a> is the ideal partner for your career change, offering accredited bootcamps that are fully eligible for the education voucher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We believe that the tech industry should be a realm of opportunity open to everyone, not a restrictive club. WBS CODING SCHOOL offers <strong>Bildungsgutschein-certified programs<\/strong> in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/data-science-bootcamp\/\">Data Science<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/data-analytics-bootcamp\/\">Data Analytics<\/a><\/strong>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/one-year-software-engineering-program\/\"><strong>Software Engineering<\/strong> &amp; AI<\/a>. Our courses are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fully funded<\/strong> (for eligible applicants).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Taught in English<\/strong>, making them accessible to an international community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remote\/Online<\/strong>, so you can learn from anywhere in Germany.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community-driven<\/strong>, ensuring you never feel alone in your learning journey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not wait for the future to happen to you. <strong>Apply now<\/strong> and let us help you turn that voucher into a career you love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/apply\" style=\"border-radius:100px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(248,72,94) 3%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--natural)\"><kbd>Start a new career<\/kbd>!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"fa-qs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q1: Is the education voucher available to everyone?<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q2: Can I apply if I\u2019m not fluent in German?<\/strong> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/\">WBS CODING SCHOOL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q3: How long does the approval process take?<\/strong> The approval process usually takes a few weeks, primarily due to the wait times for securing an appointment with the <em>Agentur f\u00fcr Arbeit<\/em>. Once the meeting takes place, the decision to issue the voucher is often made immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q4: Does the voucher expire?<\/strong> Yes, the <em>Bildungsgutschein<\/em> expires typically three months after the date of issue. You must start your chosen course within this specific timeframe, or the voucher becomes invalid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q5: Can I choose any course I want?<\/strong> No, you cannot choose any course; you must select a program that is certified under <strong>AZAV<\/strong> (<em>Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsverordnung Arbeitsf\u00f6rderung<\/em>) to be eligible for funding. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/blog\/kursnet-guide\/\">Here is a guide on how to find the right courses on KURSNET.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Q6: Do I have to pay anything back?<\/strong> No, you do not have to pay anything back because the voucher is a government grant, not a loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to apply for an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) in Germany in 2026. Find out who\u2019s eligible, what costs are covered, and how to start your free training.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":70482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[175],"class_list":["post-70469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers","tag-bildungsgutschein"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70469"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74999,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70469\/revisions\/74999"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}