🎓 Training apprentices in the business

Who may train, what the training contract must contain and how high the minimum pay is in 2026.

apprenticeship trainer aptitude training contract BBiG minimum training pay apprentice AEVO

In brief

Anyone who trains must be personally suitable. Anyone who trains in person must also be professionally suitable. You may also appoint other suitable trainers.

The training contract must be recorded in writing (text form), at the latest before training begins.
You must pay at least the minimum training pay.
The chamber of crafts is the point of contact for registration and advice.

Training is also an opportunity for your business. Ask the chamber or guild (Innung) about support and funding.

Step by step

Check suitabilityClarify personal and professional suitability; otherwise appoint suitable trainers.
Draw up the contractUse the chamber of crafts's contract templates and record all mandatory details.
Set the payAt least the minimum training pay for the year of starting; collectively agreed rates can be higher.
Have the contract registeredSubmit the contract to the responsible chamber of crafts.

Deadlines

724 euros

Minimum training pay in the first year of training for training starting in 2026 (second year 854 euros, third 977 euros, fourth 1,014 euros).§ 17 BBiG; notice in the BGBl. of 10 October 2025; BIBB

before training begins

Written record of the contract in text form without undue delay after conclusion, at the latest before training begins.§ 11 BBiG

3 years

Keep proof of receipt and the written record until three years after the end of the calendar year in which the training relationship ended.§ 11 BBiG

Watch out – common mistakes

The minimum pay depends on the year training starts. Each intake year has different rates.
Without personal and professional suitability you may not train, unless you appoint suitable trainers (§ 28 BBiG).
Registration in the register of training relationships (§ 34 BBiG) and details on the probationary period were not checked here against the primary source.

In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Suitability

§ 28 BBiG: only someone who is personally suitable may take on apprentices. Only someone who is personally and professionally suitable may train. Someone who is not professionally suitable or does not train in person may only take on apprentices if they appoint personally and professionally suitable trainers. Training content may also be delivered digitally, provided the quality is equivalent and the trainer can be reached during normal business hours. How the master craftsman examination and trainer aptitude (AEVO) interact in the trades is something you should ask the chamber; not checked here.

Training contract

§ 11 BBiG requires the essential content of the contract to be recorded in text form without undue delay after conclusion, at the latest before it begins. The twelve items include, among others, the parties, the training occupation, duration and start, training location, daily working hours, probationary period, pay, leave, conditions for termination and applicable collective agreements. The written record must be handed to the apprentices and their legal representatives. Proof must be kept until three years after the end of the calendar year in which the training relationship ended.

Minimum pay

Under § 17 BBiG a minimum training pay applies. For training starting in 2026 it is 724 euros in the first, 854 euros in the second, 977 euros in the third and 1,014 euros in the fourth year of training (notice of the minimum training pay in the Bundesgesetzblatt of 10 October 2025; BIBB press release). The second to fourth years result from supplements of 18, 35 and 40 percent on the first-year amount (§ 17 Abs. 2 BBiG). Collective agreements may provide for higher rates.

Who is responsible

Chamber of crafts (training advice, register of training relationships)
Guild (Innung)
Agentur für Arbeit (advice on training support)

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Training apprentices in the business“?

Who may train, what the training contract must contain and how high the minimum pay is in 2026.

Which deadlines and figures matter?

724 euros: Minimum training pay in the first year of training for training starting in 2026 (second year 854 euros, third 977 euros, fourth 1,014 euros). (§ 17 BBiG; notice in the BGBl. of 10 October 2025; BIBB)
before training begins: Written record of the contract in text form without undue delay after conclusion, at the latest before training begins. (§ 11 BBiG)
3 years: Keep proof of receipt and the written record until three years after the end of the calendar year in which the training relationship ended. (§ 11 BBiG)

What should I do first?

Check suitability: Clarify personal and professional suitability; otherwise appoint suitable trainers.
Draw up the contract: Use the chamber of crafts's contract templates and record all mandatory details.
Set the pay: At least the minimum training pay for the year of starting; collectively agreed rates can be higher.

What do I need to watch out for?

The minimum pay depends on the year training starts. Each intake year has different rates.
Without personal and professional suitability you may not train, unless you appoint suitable trainers (§ 28 BBiG).
Registration in the register of training relationships (§ 34 BBiG) and details on the probationary period were not checked here against the primary source.

Evidence

§ 11 BBiG, gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 20 September 2026
§ 28 BBiG, gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 20 September 2026
Notice of the minimum training pay in the Bundesgesetzblatt of 10 October 2025; BIBB press release (724 euros in 2026); supplements 18/35/40 % under § 17 Abs. 2 BBiG

As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.