Short answer: Under § 7 of the German Vocational Training Act (BBiG), prior vocational training can be credited against the length of an apprenticeship. The states can set this out by regulation. Without such a regulation, the competent body decides case by case. Financial support during training can come from the training allowance under § 56 SGB III, which the Federal Employment Agency assesses. Last updated: November 2026.
Anyone who drops out of a degree and then starts an apprenticeship (Ausbildung) usually asks two things: will the time already spent count, and is there money to carry the start? The answers depend on what you studied, which apprenticeship you want and who decides in your case. This guide explains crediting under the Vocational Training Act, the basics of the training allowance and the steps to clarify both.
Key points at a glance
- Crediting: prior vocational training can shorten the apprenticeship (§ 7 BBiG).
- Responsibility: without a state regulation, the competent body decides case by case.
- University time: the law does not name it explicitly. Content and evidence are decisive.
- Support: the training allowance (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe) is regulated in § 56 SGB III and assessed by the Federal Employment Agency.
- Approach: clarify crediting before the contract starts, so you can plan time and money.
How does crediting under § 7 BBiG work?
The Vocational Training Act regulates in § 7 how prior vocational training is credited against the length of an apprenticeship. Under subsection 1, the state governments may, after consulting the state vocational training committee, determine by regulation that a course at a vocational school or an apprenticeship in another institution is credited in full or in part. The wording is available at gesetze-im-internet.de, § 7 BBiG (in German).
Under subsection 2, if no such regulation exists, the competent body may credit time case by case. The competent body is usually the chamber of industry and commerce or the chamber of crafts where your training contract is registered. The main committee of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training can adopt recommendations for this.
For you, this means crediting is not automatic. You file an application, submit evidence and wait for a decision. Only then is it clear whether, and to what extent, the apprenticeship becomes shorter.
What role do university periods play?
The statute explicitly names courses at vocational schools and apprenticeships in other institutions. University periods are not specifically mentioned there. Whether and how much of an abandoned degree counts towards an apprenticeship is therefore decided case by case by the competent body. It compares the content, scope and level of your studies with the learning objectives of the apprenticeship.
Evidence helps: a certificate of enrolment, the module handbook, examination overviews or proof of coursework. The more precisely you document which subjects and skills you have already acquired, the easier the assessment. Prepare these documents before you sign the contract.
Which support is possible during training?
Besides crediting, your financial situation matters. The training allowance (Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe, BAB) is regulated in § 56 SGB III. It can be paid during an eligible apprenticeship if the personal and financial conditions are met. The Federal Employment Agency publishes its guidance on § 56 SGB III, dated 29 May 2020, at arbeitsagentur.de, guidance on § 56 SGB III (in German). The Agency checks individually whether you receive the allowance. There is no blanket approval.
| Instrument | Responsible body | What is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Crediting of prior training | competent body (chamber of industry and commerce or chamber of crafts) | state regulation or case-by-case decision under § 7 BBiG |
| Training allowance (BAB) | Federal Employment Agency | conditions under § 56 SGB III in each case |
| Apprenticeship pay | training employer | contract and collective agreement, no flat sum |
Last updated: November 2026. The table summarises responsibilities. Specific allowance amounts are not part of this guide, because they depend on your personal situation.
How does crediting change the duration?
Assumption: an apprenticeship lasts 36 months. After review, the competent body credits six months of the abandoned degree. The apprenticeship then shortens to 30 months. During that time you already earn apprenticeship pay, and you enter the profession earlier. Whether the decision in your case looks like this only the notice will show.
The opposite case matters too. If little is credited, your plan changes only slightly, and you should still clarify with your training employer which content you already master. Crediting is not a gift but the result of a professional review.
What to clarify before the contract starts
An apprenticeship contract is usually signed before the actual start. In that conversation, clarify whether the employer and the competent body consider crediting possible and how long the procedure takes. A promise from the employer does not replace the decision of the competent body. Record the agreements in writing, so that you can prove them later.
Also check whether the apprenticeship pay changes while the crediting procedure runs and how the probationary period is set. Discuss both points with the employer before you sign. An open question about crediting should not surface only in the third month of training.
Common mistakes with crediting
Many applicants submit only a certificate of enrolment and expect a shorter apprenticeship as a result. The competent body, however, needs content, not only dates. Time is also lost if deadlines pass or the application is made only verbally. Submit the application in writing and keep to the chamber deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start an apprenticeship after dropping out of university?
Yes, dropping out does not prevent an apprenticeship. The training contract and your suitability for the profession are decisive. Crediting of earlier time is a separate step that is assessed on its own.
Who decides on crediting?
The body where the apprenticeship is registered is responsible, usually the chamber of industry and commerce or the chamber of crafts. If a state regulation applies, crediting follows that regulation.
Is crediting granted automatically?
No. Crediting must be applied for and supported by evidence. Without an application, the duration usually stays unchanged.
What happens to my health insurance?
Health insurance depends on the status you hold after your studies. The details are explained in our guide on health insurance after dropping out (in German).
Do I need to consider tax from my studies?
Costs from an abandoned degree can play a role for tax purposes. Our guide on dropping out and tax (in German) explains how they are treated.
What to do now
- Collect your certificate of enrolment, module handbook and proof of coursework before you apply.
- Ask the competent body whether a state regulation on crediting applies.
- File the application for crediting with an overview of the content you have already acquired.
- Check in parallel with the Federal Employment Agency whether you can apply for the training allowance.
- Plan your finances for the period until the decision, because the decision takes time.
Related reading
- Founding alongside your studies: funding programmes and advice
- Dropping out and tax: costs and loss carryforward
- Health insurance after dropping out (in German)
- Side jobs with high hourly pay
Sources: § 7 BBiG, crediting of prior vocational training, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German; last checked November 2026, version date not stated) and Federal Employment Agency, guidance on § 56 SGB III (in German; dated 29 May 2020).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
