Funding
Below are the main public schemes that help employers pay for staff training in six countries, and the two EU funds behind many of them. Each scheme sets its own rules on who qualifies, which courses count and which providers are approved, so check the official page before you rely on a figure. Talk to us about the training itself, and we will shape a proposal around your people.
Germany
Up to 100% of course costs
Weiterbildungsförderung Beschäftigter (Qualifizierungschancengesetz). The Bundesagentur für Arbeit shares course costs and wages for staff training, by company size: up to 100% of course costs and 75% of wages under 50 staff, 50% under 500, 25% above. Courses over 120 hours with an approved provider.
France
OPCO and CPF
Plan de développement des compétences through your OPCO. Companies under 50 staff can have training costs covered by their OPCO. Individuals hold a CPF of €500 a year, up to €5,000, for approved courses.
Spain
Up to 100% of your levy
Formación programada por las empresas (FUNDAE). Companies recover training costs as a credit against social security contributions: 100% of last year's training levy for 6 to 9 staff, 75% for 10 to 49, 60% for 50 to 249, 50% above, and a flat €420 for 1 to 5 staff.
Italy
Fondi interprofessionali
Fondi paritetici interprofessionali. Employers who direct their 0.30% INPS levy to a fund such as Fondimpresa draw on it for staff training. The Fondo Nuove Competenze closed its third window in April 2025; watch for a new edition.
Poland
Up to 90% of costs
Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy (KFS). Through the powiatowy urząd pracy: up to 90% of training costs for employers with 9 staff or fewer, 70% for others, with digital and AI skills among the 2026 priorities. The Baza Usług Rozwojowych (PARP) adds EU co-funded subsidies of up to 80% for SMEs.
Netherlands
SLIM regeling
SLIM regeling, 2025 to 2029. Subsidy for learning and development in SMEs, with yearly application windows and a maximum of €24,999 per application. The STAP budget ended in 2024.
European Union
ESF+ and Digital Europe
European Social Fund Plus: €142.7 billion for 2021 to 2027 for employment, education and skills, run through national and regional programmes. Digital Europe Programme: over €8.1 billion, with advanced digital skills and AI among its areas.
Ireland
See aiupskill.ie
Irish schemes such as the Skillnet Ireland grants and the €150m AI skills fund in Budget 2027 are on our Irish site. Funding in Ireland.
Checked against official pages on 11 October 2026: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, service-public.gouv.fr, FUNDAE, Ministero del Lavoro, praca.gov.pl, PARP, Rijksoverheid, ESF+ and Digital Europe. Percentages and windows change each year.
Funding pays for the training. Article 4 asks you to show it happened. Every seat comes with certificates and a sponsor report, so one piece of work answers both. About the Article 4 duty
Why European employers are acting now
of EU enterprises used at least one AI technology in 2025, up from 13% in 2024
Source: Eurostat, December 2025of large EU enterprises used AI in 2025, against 17% of small ones
Source: Eurostat, December 2025of enterprises that considered AI but did not use it name a lack of expertise as the reason
Source: Eurostat, December 2025of EU adults have at least basic digital skills, against the 80% target for 2030
Source: Eurostat, June 2026A free discovery call first, then a proposal fitted to your people.