If you are considering professional coaching, one of the first questions that usually comes up is: Do I have to pay for AVGS coaching myself? This is especially important if you are currently unemployed, looking for work or have a limited income.
The good news is that if an AVGS-funded coaching programme has been approved by the Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit, you normally do not have to pay for the coaching yourself.
The important point is that the measure must be approved before the coaching begins. Without prior approval, the costs may not be covered.
If you would first like to understand what an AVGS actually is, you can read our article What Is an AVGS? Funding & Job Coaching in Germany.
Do I have to pay for AVGS coaching myself?
If your participation in an AVGS-funded measure has been approved by the Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit, the coaching costs are normally covered by the responsible authority.
I have lived in Hamburg for 36 years and know the city and its opportunities very well. I help people who are looking for work identify a suitable career direction, discover new opportunities and find the right path into employment.
You are welcome to contact me in whichever language you feel most comfortable speaking.
This means that the participant usually does not receive a private invoice for the coaching.
The measure must meet the conditions of the AVGS and must be provided by a suitable training or coaching provider.
Why is approval before the start so important?
An AVGS does not automatically mean that you can begin any coaching programme immediately.
The usual process looks like this:
- You receive an AVGS or discuss the possibility of funding with your adviser.
- You look for a suitable coaching programme and provider.
- The provider checks whether the programme matches the conditions stated on the AVGS.
- The Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit reviews the measure.
- The measure is approved.
- Only then should the coaching begin.
If you start a programme before it has been approved, you may risk having to pay the costs yourself.
If you would like to understand the process in more detail, you can also read How to Get an AVGS from the Jobcenter in Germany.
Which costs can be covered through AVGS?
The main cost covered is the actual coaching or activation measure.
Depending on your personal situation, additional expenses may also be relevant, for example:
- travel costs
- public transport expenses
- childcare costs during participation
These additional costs are not automatically covered in every situation. It is therefore important to clarify them with the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit before the measure begins.
For more information about the financial side of AVGS coaching, see How Much Does AVGS Coaching Cost? Funding Explained.
Is AVGS coaching really free?
For the participant, the simple answer is usually: yes, approved AVGS coaching is normally free of charge.
This does not mean that the coaching itself has no cost. The cost is paid by the responsible public authority rather than by the participant.
As long as the measure has been approved correctly, you normally do not have to finance the coaching from your own money.
When might I have to pay myself?
Problems can arise if the coaching begins before formal approval has been granted.
Funding may also not apply if the selected coaching programme does not match the conditions of the AVGS.
That is why it is important not to rely only on verbal information or an informal agreement.
The formal approval process should always be completed before the measure starts.
What information is included in an AVGS?
An Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein usually contains specific conditions.
These may include:
- the purpose of the measure
- the maximum duration
- the period during which the voucher is valid
- the geographical area in which the measure may take place
These details are important because not every coaching programme is automatically suitable for every AVGS.
A professional provider will normally check whether the selected coaching programme fits the conditions of the voucher.
If you want to know what individual coaching looks like in practice, read Individual Coaching with AVGS: What Happens in Job Coaching?.
Who decides whether AVGS funding is approved?
The decision is usually made by the responsible adviser at the Jobcenter or the Agentur für Arbeit.
The adviser considers whether the measure could support your return to employment or improve your chances on the labour market.
An AVGS is generally a discretionary form of support. This means that it is not automatically granted to every person.
Your individual situation, professional goals and current difficulties are taken into account during the consultation.
If you are registered with the Agentur für Arbeit, you may also find this article useful: AVGS from the Agentur für Arbeit: Requirements and Process.
Who can benefit from AVGS coaching?
AVGS coaching may be useful for people who need practical support with their professional situation.
This may include people who:
- have been looking for work for a longer period
- want to improve their application documents
- need support preparing for job interviews
- want to identify a new professional direction
- are returning to work after a longer break
- want to better understand their opportunities on the labour market
Depending on the measure, coaching may also include career orientation, application strategy, communication, digital skills and preparation for the labour market.
You can read more about the purpose of job coaching here: Job Coaching in Hamburg: Who Can Benefit from It?.
How can I get AVGS coaching?
The first step is usually a conversation with your adviser at the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
You can explain which difficulties you are currently experiencing and what kind of support you need.
For example, you may say that you:
- need support with your job search
- want to improve your applications
- are unsure which career direction is right for you
- need more structure after a longer period of unemployment
- want to prepare for job interviews
If your adviser considers coaching to be appropriate, an AVGS may be issued.
If you are specifically looking for information in Hamburg, see AVGS Coaching in Hamburg: How the Funding Works.
Do I have to use the AVGS directly at the Jobcenter?
No. With an AVGS, you can look for a suitable coaching programme that matches the conditions of the voucher.
The coaching provider will then check whether the programme fits the AVGS.
After that, the measure is reviewed and approved by the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
Personal one-to-one coaching
We work individually on your professional situation, your goals and the next practical steps.
Support with your job search
We support you with job search, application documents and preparation for job interviews.
AVGS funding for your coaching
With an AVGS, individual coaching may be fully funded by the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.
Personal support at every step
From the first consultation to your next professional steps, you have a personal contact person.
The coaching should only begin once the approval process has been completed.
Can I choose my own coach or provider?
Within the conditions of the AVGS, you can usually look for a suitable provider yourself.
It is useful to compare not only the name of the programme but also the content and structure.
Questions you may want to ask include:
- Is the coaching individual?
- Which topics are covered?
- How often do the sessions take place?
- Does the coaching fit my professional goals?
- Can I discuss my individual situation?
If you are unsure which format is more suitable, you can also read Individual Coaching or Group Coaching: Which Is Right for You?.
What about travel costs?
If you regularly travel to a coaching location, travel expenses may become relevant.
In some cases, these costs can also be covered.
However, it is important to clarify this before the coaching begins.
You should also keep tickets or other proof of travel if they may be required later.
What about childcare costs?
Childcare costs may also be considered in certain situations if they are directly connected to participation in the coaching programme.
Whether these costs are covered depends on the individual case.
It is therefore best to discuss childcare costs with your adviser before the measure starts.
What happens if my AVGS expires?
An AVGS is only valid for a specific period.
If you have found a suitable coaching programme, you should therefore make sure that all necessary steps are completed while the voucher is still valid.
If the AVGS has already expired, it normally cannot simply be used later.
In this situation, you should contact your adviser again.
Can the Jobcenter refuse AVGS coaching?
Yes. Since AVGS funding is generally discretionary, it can be refused.
This does not necessarily mean that coaching is not useful for you.
It can help to clearly explain why the coaching could improve your professional situation.
The more specific your goal is, the easier it is to show why the measure may be useful.
Which documents should I prepare?
Before speaking with the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit, it can be helpful to prepare some documents.
These may include:
- your current CV
- previous job applications
- certificates and qualification documents
- information about previous job search activities
- a short description of your current professional situation
This can help your adviser understand what kind of support may be appropriate.
If you are currently preparing for your job search in Hamburg, you can also read Finding a Job in Hamburg: The Most Important First Steps.
Which topics can be covered in AVGS coaching?
The content of the coaching depends on the specific programme and your personal needs.
Typical topics may include:
- career orientation
- creating or improving a CV
- optimising application documents
- preparing for job interviews
- developing an application strategy
- searching for suitable vacancies
- identifying professional strengths and opportunities
If you want to improve your application documents, you may find this article useful: Improve Your Application Documents: CV and Cover Letter.
Why can individual coaching be helpful?
Individual coaching allows the content to be adapted to your personal situation.
Professional challenges are different for every person.
Some people need support with their CV, others need career orientation, while others mainly want to prepare for interviews or improve their job search strategy.
Individual coaching can therefore focus on the areas that are most relevant to your situation.
Conclusion: Do I have to pay for AVGS coaching myself?
If AVGS coaching has been approved by the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit before the programme begins, you normally do not have to pay the coaching costs yourself.
Additional expenses such as travel or childcare may also be covered in certain situations.
The most important thing is to make sure that the measure is formally approved before you start.
If you are unsure whether AVGS coaching may be suitable for you, you can first get information about the available options and clarify which type of support fits your professional situation.
Would you like to know what support may be available to you?
Simply complete the form. We will contact you personally, discuss your situation and explain which coaching, AVGS or professional support options may be suitable for you.