Vocational training allowance

Training or pre-vocational training abroad is eligible for funding under the following conditions:

In the case of partial training abroad, if

• the part of the training abroad does not last longer than 1 year and
• the part of the training abroad appears appropriate with regard to the overall duration of the training.

In the case of complete training abroad,

• if the training abroad is particularly conducive to the applicant's professional objective and
• it is officially confirmed that the training abroad is equivalent to in-company training in Germany.

In the case of partial pre-vocational training abroad, if

• the part abroad does not exceed half of the planned funding period and
• the part abroad appears appropriate with regard to the overall duration of the measure

Yes, the pre-vocational training measure must be carried out on behalf of the employment agency.

If your application is approved, you will receive a vocational training allowance

• For vocational training: for 18 months
• For other training measures: for 12 months

After that, your vocational training allowance can be extended if your training has not yet ended without a measure. You can also receive vocational training allowance for shorter periods. It does not matter whether you are doing in-company or external vocational training. The only important thing is that it is a recognized training occupation.

Aid for school-based vocational preparation measures can unfortunately not be granted.

The amount of BAB in your case depends on your income, as this is offset against BAB. You can even have a mini-job on a 450 euro basis alongside your training without this mini-job being offset against your BAB.
Your parents' income will only be offset if it exceeds certain allowances. This also applies to the income of the person you are married to or in a civil partnership with. If you are taking part in a pre-vocational training measure or the preliminary phase of assisted training, no income is generally taken into account.

Vocational training allowance is paid monthly in arrears. If you are not entitled to vocational training allowance for the full month, you will receive one thirtieth of the monthly amount for each calendar day.

• Your training contract
• Proof of your income (certificate from the training center regarding training remuneration)
• Proof of income from your parents and, if applicable, your spouse or registered partner (tax assessment notice or annual salary certificate for the calendar year before last)

Under certain circumstances, the Employment Agency may request further documents.

If you interrupt your training due to illness, you will continue to receive BAB until the end of the third calendar month following the onset of the illness.

No, vocational training allowance is paid as a grant. You do not have to repay the benefit.

Nadine is 17 years old, single and previously lived with her parents in Rostock. She has found an apprenticeship in Kiel starting in September 2020. The room she rents there costs 260 euros a month. In the first year of training, she will receive a training allowance of 515 euros per month.

For her monthly living expenses:

• Needs for accommodation outside the household of parents or a family member: 723 euros
• Needs for work clothes: 14 euros
• Travel costs for journeys between home and the training center (monthly ticket): 45 euros
• Needs for one family trip home per month: 14 euros

Total needs: 796 euros

Nadine's income to be offset is compared to the total needs:

• An allowance is deducted from Nadine's training allowance: 65 euros
• The imputed income is therefore: 450 euros

This leaves a requirement of: 346 euros (total requirement of 796 euros minus imputed income of 450 euros)

If you receive BAB, you can also claim commuting by bike as an expense. The prerequisite is that you use a bicycle at least four times a month to travel to your place of training. You can then claim a monthly lump sum of five euros.