Unemployment benefit during vocational training (Unemployment benefit during training (Arbeitslosengeld bei Weiterbildung)): Anyone taking part in training funded under section 81 SGB III can receive unemployment benefit during vocational training (Arbeitslosengeld bei beruflicher Weiterbildung), even if, because of the course, they are not unemployed in the legal sense (section 144 SGB III).
When it is paid
You are entitled if you do not meet the conditions for unemployment benefit solely because of the funded training (section 144 (1) SGB III). According to the Federal Employment Agency, unemployment benefit usually continues to be paid if you start funded training while you are receiving it.
Effect on the length of entitlement
For every two days of unemployment benefit during vocational training, the remaining length of your entitlement is reduced by one day (section 148 (1) no. 7 SGB III). This reduction cannot, however, take the remaining period below three months. If it is still below three months after funding of at least six months, it is extended once to three months (section 148 (2) and (3) SGB III).
More in the article Money during training.
In practice: an example
You still have ten months of entitlement to unemployment benefit and start funded training lasting six months. During the course you receive unemployment benefit during vocational training. The course uses up only about three months of your entitlement: after the six course months, around seven months remain, whereas without the course only four would remain after six months (section 148 (1) no. 7 SGB III). The employment agency does the exact calculation.
How we help you
We clarify with you which funding route fits your situation and look for an approved course in our course finder. All funding routes at a glance are on our funding page, and you can request an appointment here.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose unemployment benefit because of the training?
The length of your entitlement is reduced: two days of training cost one day of remaining entitlement. However, the training cannot result in less than three months remaining, and after at least six months of funding the remaining period is topped up to three months (section 148 SGB III).
Related terms
Sources
Legal texts and official bodies this article relies on. Links last checked on .
- Section 144 SGB III: Unemployment benefit during vocational trainingFederal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Section 148 SGB III: Reduction of the length of entitlementFederal Ministry of Justice, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Education voucher for vocational trainingFederal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
Note: This information is for general guidance and is not legal advice. Whether you receive funding is decided in each individual case by the responsible office, for example the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit), the job centre or the pension insurance. As of 08.11.2026.