BAB Ausbildung: Extra Money in Training
Short answer: The BAB Ausbildung grant, officially Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe, is money from the Employment Agency that tops up your training pay. It mainly helps trainees who cannot live with their parents because the company is too far away. You apply to the Employment Agency, ideally before training starts.
Training pay is often low, and rent is high. The BAB can close part of that gap, but many trainees never ask for it. This guide explains who can get it, how the amount is worked out and how to apply. For typical pay levels, see our Ausbildung salary guide. This site does not cover visa or residence rules.
What is BAB in Ausbildung?
BAB stands for Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe. The Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) describes it as a grant (Zuschuss) for the living costs of trainees in a company-based or non-company-based training in a recognised occupation. It is paid on top of your training pay. By law you are entitled to it if the training is eligible, you belong to the eligible group and you cannot cover your total needs from other sources.
Who can get BAB?
According to the agency’s leaflet (October 2024), you can qualify in these cases:
- You cannot live with your parents because the training company is too far away.
- You are over 18, married or in a registered partnership (or were), or have at least one child. In these cases you can qualify even if you live within reach of your parents.
Some cases do not qualify. School-based training, such as physiotherapy, is not covered. BAB is generally not paid after a completed first vocational training of at least two years, and a second training only qualifies in rare exceptions. For young people in the preparation phase of Assistierte Ausbildung, BAB can be paid on the same basis as for a pre-training course. Our Ausbildung support guide explains that phase.
How the BAB amount is worked out
The agency does not pay a fixed sum. It calculates your need and subtracts your income and, in some cases, your parents’ or partner’s income:
- Add up your monthly need. It includes accommodation, work clothing, commuting costs and, in some cases, trips home.
- Subtract your own income. Your training pay counts in full after an allowance.
- Subtract income of parents or partner. It counts only above set allowances.
- What is left is your BAB. If the result is zero, you get nothing.
These example figures come from the agency’s leaflet and were stated as of 1 August 2024. They may have changed since, so ask the agency for the current ones.
| Item (as of 1 August 2024) | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Need for accommodation outside the parental home | 822 euros |
| Need for work clothing | 16 euros |
| Allowance on your own income | 85 euros |
| Allowance on parents’ income | 2,540 euros |
Dormitories, boarding schools and full board use different rates. The leaflet’s examples show how the result can vary a lot. One trainee with low parental income received 493 euros a month, and another with 1,000 euros gross pay received 148 euros. Your own figure depends on your case, so never plan your budget around an example.
How long is BAB paid?
BAB is paid for the length of the training. It is first calculated for 18 months, so you have to apply again afterwards. The agency usually reminds you, but check your notice for the date.
How to apply for BAB: 4 steps
- Apply early. Ideally apply before your training starts. If you apply later, payment goes back at most to the beginning of the month in which you applied.
- Choose how to apply. Online at arbeitsagentur.de (eServices), in person at your local Employment Agency, or by calling the free number 0800 4 5555 00.
- Have your papers ready. Your signed training contract is the basis. Ask the agency which proofs of income they need from you and your parents.
- Keep the notice. Check the amount and the end date, and report changes in pay or housing. Our contract guide shows where your pay is stated.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until money runs out. Late applications only count from the month you apply.
- Assuming your parents’ income rules you out. Parents’ income counts only above allowances, so ask before you decide.
- Relying on old figures. Rates change, and many websites copy outdated numbers.
- Forgetting to report changes. A new pay rise or a move can change the amount.
Frequently asked questions
Is BAB a loan I must pay back?
The agency calls it a grant (Zuschuss). The leaflet does not discuss repayment, so ask your advisor if you are unsure.
Can I get BAB if I live with my parents?
Usually not. The main rule is that the company is too far for you to live at home. Exceptions apply if you are over 18, married or in a registered partnership, or have a child.
Does BAB cover school-based training?
No. School-based training, such as physiotherapy, is not eligible.
Can I apply after training has started?
Yes, but payment goes back at most to the start of the month in which you apply. The agency’s list of funding programmes (February 2026) says you can apply at any time but should ideally apply before the hiring date.
Are there other kinds of money help?
Yes, other benefits exist, and some depend on your family and residence situation. This guide covers only BAB, so ask the Berufsberatung what else fits your case.
Sources
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Merkblatt Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (October 2024)
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Fachliche Weisungen zu § 56 SGB III
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Förderprogramme Ausbildung (February 2026)
Last updated: 31 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.