Accessing vocational training

Vocational training is training skills and teaching knowledge related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation in which the student or employee wishes to participate. Being in vocational training usually also allows access to social benefits beyond the minimum age set in a Member State.


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Key aspects

  • In almost half of EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, France, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta and Slovenia), the age requirement to access vocational training is set at 15 years which is mostly in line with the compulsory school age.
  • In nine Member States (Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain), the requirement is set at the age of 16.
  • In Lithuania, the age requirement is set at 14 years and in Bulgaria at 13 years, which is lower than the compulsory school age.
  • In Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom, there are no age requirements.