Pflegestipendium 2026: AMS support for care and social care training

If you are planning to train for a care or social care profession in Austria, covering your living costs may be one of your biggest concerns. The Pflegestipendium provides a regular monthly amount during the training period. Here is who can receive it, how much it pays and how to apply.

Pflegestipendium at a glance

• The support has existed since 1 January 2023 and is intended to cover living costs during training.
• In 2026, the minimum amount is approximately 1,650 euros per month, based on a daily rate of 55.01 euros.
• It is available to jobseekers aged 20 and over, employees on unpaid leave and self-employed people who have suspended their business activity.
• Prior counselling at the AMS is required.
• It can be granted for a maximum of four years and for a maximum of two different training programmes.

Who can receive the Pflegestipendium?

The support is intended for people who have reached the age of 20 and belong to one of these groups:

• jobseekers (Arbeitsuchende),
• employees on unpaid leave (Karenz) for the duration of the training,
• self-employed people who suspend their business activity (Gewerbe ruhend gelegt) for the duration of the training.

Additional requirements

1. Either two years must have passed since leaving school or university, or since completing the school-leaving examination (Matura), or you must be entitled to an unemployment insurance benefit, such as unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) or emergency assistance (Notstandshilfe).
2. You must have passed the entrance examination or meet the entry requirements for the training.
3. You must have taken part in labour-market counselling at the AMS in advance.

You do not have to register as unemployed to apply. However, you must register with the AMS (vormerken lassen).

Which training programmes are eligible?

The Pflegestipendium can be used for training in the following professions:

• care assistant (Pflegeassistenz),
• qualified care assistant (Pflegefachassistenz),
• qualified healthcare and nursing professional (Diplomierte Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege) at an Austrian university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), if the programme started on or after 1 September 2024,
• social care professions (Sozialbetreuungsberufe) in the following specialisations: care for older people (Altenarbeit), care for people with disabilities (Behindertenarbeit), family care (Familienarbeit) and support for people with disabilities (Behindertenbegleitung).

The support can be granted for a maximum of four years and for a maximum of two different training programmes per person. The planned training must be capable of being completed within the support period.

How much is paid in 2026?

The payment is calculated using daily rates (Tagsatz).

• Minimum monthly amount: approximately 1,650.00 euros
• Daily rate: 55.01 euros

If you are already entitled to an unemployment insurance benefit, such as unemployment benefit, emergency assistance or a training allowance, this is taken into account. As a jobseeker, you continue to receive your unemployment insurance benefit during the training period, and your individual daily rate may be higher.

The training allowance supplement (Schulungszuschlag) is not paid on top of the minimum amount.

How do you apply?

You must complete an AMS counselling and support process before receiving the Pflegestipendium. Request an appointment in good time before the planned training begins at the AMS regional office responsible for your place of residence (Regionale Geschäftsstelle).

You do not need to register as unemployed, but you must register with the AMS (vormerken lassen).

Insurance and income limits

Insurance: While receiving the Pflegestipendium, you have health, accident and pension insurance.

Income limit: You may earn up to the limit for marginal employment under the ASVG (Geringfügigkeitsgrenze). This limit also applies to payments from other institutions or municipalities and to pocket money paid by the school (Taschengeld). Combined income must not exceed the limit.

Important exclusion: The Pflegestipendium cannot be combined with educational leave (Bildungskarenz) or educational part-time work (Bildungsteilzeit).

What is not covered, and when must the money be repaid?

The Pflegestipendium does not cover the cost of the training (Ausbildungskosten). No additional support is paid alongside it.

If you do not provide proof of your progress in the training by the deadline, you must repay the Pflegestipendium.

Pflegestipendium versus Pflegegeld

The Pflegestipendium is a living-cost benefit for people training for a care or social care profession. Its purpose is to provide a guaranteed minimum income during the training period (Mindeststandard der Existenzsicherung).

It is not the same as Pflegegeld, which is paid to a person who needs care.

Frequently asked questions

I have a job. Can I receive the Pflegestipendium?

Yes, if you take unpaid leave for the duration of the training and meet the other requirements. You must register with the AMS, but you do not have to register as unemployed.

Does it pay tuition or training fees?

No. The Pflegestipendium is intended only to cover living costs and does not cover training costs.

Can I work while receiving it?

Yes, but only up to the marginal-employment limit. Other payments, such as school pocket money, also count towards this limit.

How many training programmes can I use it for?

It can be granted for a maximum of two different training programmes, for a total maximum period of four years.

Practical steps

1. Check whether you are at least 20 and belong to an eligible group: a jobseeker, an employee on unpaid leave or a self-employed person with a suspended business.
2. Check that your planned programme is one of the eligible care or social care training programmes.
3. Make sure you meet the entry requirements and have passed any required entrance examination.
4. Contact the AMS regional office (Regionale Geschäftsstelle) responsible for your place of residence before the training starts.
5. Complete the required AMS labour-market counselling and register with the AMS (vormerken lassen).
6. Check your other income and benefits against the Geringfügigkeitsgrenze, and keep evidence of your training progress so that repayment is not required.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at