Meisterprämie doubled to three thousand euros
Baden-Württemberg plans to double its artisan training bonus from 1,500 euros to 3,000 euros during 2027, according to a joint announcement by the governing parliamentary groups in Stuttgart following a Finance Committee meeting.
Electricians, bakers, and heating engineers are in particularly short supply, trade associations report.
The coalition package also extends the application window for the master craftsperson startup grant. Young masters who want to open their own trade business will soon have 48 months to apply instead of the previous 24-month limit.
“Whether bakery, electrical business, or joinery: the craft sector keeps our country running,” said Sarah Hagmann, economic policy spokesperson for the Green parliamentary group.
Budget vote scheduled for December
The planned bonus increase and the extended application period form part of the new state budget. The state parliament is scheduled to hold its final vote on the spending plan in mid-December.
Trade associations have long called for stronger financial backing for master craftsman training alongside greater societal recognition for manual professions.
“Anyone who founds or takes over a craft business takes their future into their own hands and bears responsibility for others,” said Katrin Schindele, spokesperson for the CDU parliamentary group.
Eligibility for master training bonuses and startup grants
Who is eligible for the higher master training bonus?
The increased bonus of 3,000 euros applies to candidates completing their master craftsperson training in Baden-Württemberg once the policy takes effect during 2027.
What changes for the startup grant?
The application window for the master craftsperson startup grant expands from 24 months to 48 months, giving newly qualified masters more time to establish an independent trade business.
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