2026

Access to Bachelor's programmes at the Autonomous University College for holders of a master craftsman's certificate ("Meisterbrief") 

As of the 2026-2027 academic year, holders of a master craftsman's certificate gain access to Bachelor's programmes at the Autonomous University College (Autonome Hochschule, AHS), in recognition of the professional and organisational competences acquired through the master craftsman qualification. Other admission requirements for the individual programmes continue to apply. The measure aims to strengthen permeability between vocational and higher education. 

Source: Dekret vom 1. Juni 2026 über Maßnahmen im Unterrichtswesen und in der Ausbildung 2026

Master craftsman apprenticeship accessible without an upper secondary school-leaving certificate To align the admission conditions for master craftsman apprentices with the new access route to higher education described above, it is now possible to complete a master craftsman apprenticeship without holding an upper secondary school-leaving certificate, provided the apprentice is no longer subject to compulsory education. 

Source: Dekret vom 1. Juni 2026 über Maßnahmen im Unterrichtswesen und in der Ausbildung 2026

Recognition of foreign qualifications in SME-based (mittelständische) training 

A legal basis has been created allowing foreign qualifications obtained in SME-based vocational training to be recognised as equivalent to the German-speaking Community's journeyman's certificate ("Gesellenzeugnis") or master craftsman's certificate ("Meisterbrief"). Responsibility for assessing foreign qualifications in this field lies with the Institute for Training in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (IAWM), with the exception of diplomas granting access to a healthcare profession. 

Source: Decree of 1 June 2026 on measures in education and training 2026

Adjustments to the "Du und Ostbelgien" (DuO) training allowance 

In view of current budgetary constraints, the monthly amount of the DuO training allowance for apprentices and students has been reduced, for new applicants, from EUR 350 to EUR 200 as of 1 July 2026. Beneficiaries already receiving the allowance for a training programme or course of study begun before this date continue to receive EUR 350 for its completion.

Source: Dekret vom 1. Juni 2026 über Maßnahmen im Unterrichtswesen und in der Ausbildung 2026

2025

• From September 2025, the age limit for signing an apprenticeship contract will be lifted. The decision to commit to a typically three-year training programme and to make the necessary personal arrangements to balance vocational school, the day-to-day realities of the workplace, and any family responsibilities—while managing on the apprentice allowance—will lie with the applicant.
• Various apprenticeship and master craftsman programmes have been revised, and new programmes have been introduced.

2024

The government has approved the following new or updated apprenticeship programmes for the 2024–2025 training year:

• Mechatronics technician for agricultural, forestry, horticultural and construction machinery (G06/2024)
• Mechatronics technician for lorries (G20/2024)
• Construction carpenter (C01/2024)
• Furniture carpenter (C02/2024)
• Parquet layer (C11/2024)

In addition, the updated study programmes for the dual bachelor's degrees in Public and Business Administration (X03/2024) and Accounting (X08/2024) have been approved, as well as the revised master craftsman programme for gardeners in landscape and garden design (R08/2024).