France to reduce apprenticeship hiring subsidies by 30% in 2026

The French government is significantly reducing financial aid for apprenticeship hiring. Starting in 2026, the budget for these subsidies will drop to 2.1 billion euros from 3.1 billion euros in 2025, representing an approximately 30% decrease in commitment authorizations. The Ministry of Finance (Bercy) aims to save 200 million euros in 2026 and 700 million euros in 2027 to control public spending.

The new aid structure depends on company size and the level of the diploma being prepared. For SMEs with fewer than 250 employees, subsidies will reach up to 4,500 euros for vocational diplomas (BTS/DUT) and 2,000 euros for higher education degrees like engineering or master's levels. For companies with 250 or more employees, aid is reduced to 1,500 euros for vocational levels and only 750 euros for higher education. A 6,000 euro subsidy remains available for hiring apprentices with disabilities, regardless of their diploma level.

This policy shift comes as apprenticeship contract signatures have already been declining for several months. While 889,400 apprenticeship contracts began in France in 2024—a 4% annual increase—the government views the current cost of higher-education apprenticeships as disproportionate to their professional integration benefits compared to lower-level training.