Mythbusting Germany’s Bildungsgutschein in English

Not too long ago, I warned our community about the make-believe digital nomad visa in Germany. The internet is at it again, and lately, I’ve been inundated with social media ads from Berlin-based educational institutions falsely claiming the German government will pay foreigners to take courses for free and in English. As if you can just magically move to Germany from abroad and be paid to go to school right away. I reported the ads as fraud, but they weren’t removed because our new social media “bro-archy” doesn’t care much about truth or quality content these days.

The claims boasted by these educational institutions are only somewhat valid. Unfortunately, their information is misleading and lacking in important details, offering false hope to people thinking about moving to Germany, or to those who have newly arrived.

In this Germany Life guide, we’ll:

⭐ Give you a brief overview of the Bildungsgutschein free-education voucher program.

⭐ Provide a basic understanding of the requirements you need to meet to qualify for a Bildungsgutschein.

⭐ Correct the misconceptions surrounding the Bildungsgutschein.

⭐ Help you understand the motivation behind the misleading claims.

⭐ Offer recommendations for trusted educational institutions.

Now, let’s dive more deeply into the topic of Germany’s Bildungsgutschein in English.

I find this trend of misleading advertising surrounding the Bildungsgutschein particularly troubling because it affects real people who are trying to build their lives in Germany. At The Berlin Life, we’ve built our community on providing you with complete, accurate information – even when the reality is more complex than a social media ad promises.

The Bildungsgutschein is a legitimate offering that helps many people advance their careers, but it comes with specific requirements that matter. Let me explain clearly how the program actually works, who is eligible to apply, and what steps you need to take if you think this might be right for you.

While you’re here, be sure to browse our career guides. You’ll find tips on writing CV’s, preparing for interviews, how to quit your job in Germany, and so much more. If you want help with your job search, check out our career coaching services.

What is a Bildungsgutschein?

Aside from being one of those long, intimidating German words you’re terrified to pronounce in public, Bildungsgutschein simply means “educational voucher” in English.

You can apply for a Bildungsgutschein and, if approved, the German government will pay for you to take a course, be it a German language course, a data science course, or something else.

The idea behind the program is that you become appropriately upskilled to either find new employment or remain gainfully employed, thereby strengthening Germany’s workforce and enabling the country to remain competitive globally.

Can just anyone get a Bildungsgutschein?

Nope. Before you start shopping around for educational offerings or planning a move to Germany, you must understand that much of the online content is misleading.

There are specific requirements that must be met to qualify for a Bildungsgutschein. You must be:

⭐ A registered resident of Germany.

⭐ In one of three situations: unemployed and registered with the Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency), facing unemployment, or needing training to keep your current job.

⭐ Someone who has lived and worked in Germany for over a year, paying taxes and contributing to the social system.

If you cannot meet these basic conditions, you will NOT be eligible for an education voucher.

I meet the conditions. Can I take any course that I want?

Qualifying for the Bildungsgutschein is only the beginning.

The first thing you need to do is present a compelling case to the Employment Agency. You can’t just take any course you want. You need to choose a course offering from a government-approved institution. Check KURSNET for more than 400,000 approved offerings.

Secondly, you should select a subject that is somewhat relevant to your current profession and/or meets Germany’s labor market demands. For example, it’s not unusual for them to approve foreigners taking a German language class. They also approve complete career changes, but you’ll need to build a much stronger case showing your aptitude and willingness to complete the program successfully and, later, find a job.

Sometimes, the Employment Agency won’t approve requests for more unfortunate reasons – some caseworkers won’t approve courses offered in English. With rising nationalism in Germany, this happens more often than not.

The positive news is that for the foreseeable future (workers’ rights are potentially on the decline), getting further education paid for is certainly doable. If you qualify and present a solid case, your request will most likely be approved, and if it isn’t, you’ll be given further guidance.

Why is there so much false advertising when it comes to the Bildungsgutschein in English?

It’s a win-win situation for Germany and its residents to continue to upskill the workforce and meet labor market demands.

Meanwhile, the Bildungsgutschein program has created a lucrative and competitive business for education providers who all vie to attract new students to sign up for one of their courses. To them, a sale is a sale, regardless of who pays, and the fact is that the bulk of their revenue comes from the German government and not students paying out of their own pockets.

Such a situation tends to encourage “bad actors” who will lure you in with false advertising and other shady tactics. That’s why it’s wise to be skeptical when seeing social media ads or attending a school-sponsored event.

What are some tips about finding a program covered by the Bildungsgutschein?

Shop around for education providers that are officially approved by the German government. Look at their reviews on Google and Trustpilot. See if there are Reddit threads about the school. Look on LinkedIn and connect with some former alumni to get feedback on their experience.

German contracts tend to be long-winded and complicated. Don’t sign one unless you have it translated or reviewed by a lawyer. Ensure you understand all of the conditions before signing, as getting out of that contract later on could be very costly. For this reason, we always recommend having legal insurance.

Don’t blindly trust education providers to run you through the Bildungsgutschein application process; research how it works and be familiar with it so you’re not misled at any given point.

Are there good schools out there, and who are they?

The quality of schools in Germany is wide-ranging, but some great ones offer top-notch programs and will even help you with your Bildungsgutschein in English and assist you with your application to the Employment Agency.

A few schools I personally recommend are:

⭐ Spiced Academy

⭐ Le Wagon

⭐ Ironhack

Where can I find some helpful resources?

Visit these sites to find accurate, updated, and helpful information about the Bildungsgutschein in English:

⭐ Federal Employment Agency

FAQ

Commonly asked questions about the Bildungsgutschein in English.

We hope this career guide about the Bildungsgutschein in English helps correct the disinformation floating out there on the internet and helps you find a high quality educational provider that will accelerate your career in Germany.