You’ve realised something needs to shift. You’re not where you want to be professionally, and the idea of staying stuck much longer makes your stomach twist. You’ve heard about AVGS career coaching in Germany — maybe from a friend, maybe from one of those unusually spot-on Instagram ads — and it sounds promising.
But then you hit the part no one really enjoys: asking the Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit for an AVGS voucher.
Don’t worry — this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, in clear language. German bureaucracy doesn’t have to be intimidating, especially when what you’re asking for is something you’re entitled to: free career support to move forward.
What exactly is an AVGS coaching voucher in Germany?
AVGS stands for Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, or Activation and Placement Voucher. It provides government-funded career coaching that helps unemployed or underemployed people in Germany get back into meaningful work.
With it, you can access professional career and founder coaching for free, as long as you’re working with a provider that’s officially approved by the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter (like Fired Up).
Who can apply for an AVGS voucher?
The short version: anyone in Germany who is currently registered as unemployed, receiving unemployment benefits (ALG I or II), or at risk of unemployment — like someone on a short-term or freelance contract that’s ending soon.
Even if you’re not sure whether you qualify, ask anyway. Many people are eligible for coaching without realising it, especially in the early stages of unemployment or even during part-time freelance work.
👉 What is AVGS coaching in Germany and how does it work?
Step-by-step: How to apply for an AVGS voucher in Germany
It isn’t difficult to apply for an AVGS voucher, but the process can be a little unclear and intimidating.
Here’s exactly how you should do it, and what to expect.
Step 1: Find a provider, then contact your Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit advisor
A good way to start is to find an approved coaching provider that you’re interested in working with. For instance, Fired Up works with more than 70 experienced coaches, offering a wide range of career and founder coaching support in more than 20 languages.
You then get in touch with your advisor (Sachbearbeiter:in) at the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter and tell them that you’re interested in receiving a coaching voucher (AVGS) to work with a specific provider.
This is the moment that makes people hesitate. What if they say no? What if you say the wrong thing?
Step 2: Explain your goals
Here’s the good news: your Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter advisor is there to help you take steps forward. The more clearly you explain what kind of support you’re looking for, the more likely they are to issue the voucher.
You can say something like:
“I’ve found a certified coaching provider who specialises in career transitions and self-employment support. I’d like to work with them using an AVGS voucher to help clarify my direction and develop a plan for moving forward.”
That’s it. You don’t need to make a pitch or justify your entire career history. You’re asking for a tool the system is designed to offer — and showing that you’ve already done the homework.
Step 3: Wait for approval and send your voucher to your coach
Once your advisor approves the request, you’ll receive the AVGS voucher in writing: either via post or electronically. You then send it directly to your chosen coaching provider, who will handle the paperwork from there and coordinate a start date with you.
This might take a few days or a couple of weeks, depending on your advisor and how fast the voucher is processed. But once it’s in motion, the process is straightforward.
And once the coaching starts? That’s where the real work — and the good kind of change — begins.
Applying for an AVGS voucher in Germany doesn’t have to be hard. Image by F1 Digitals from Pixabay
A quick word on confidence and courage
We’ve seen a lot of people hesitate at this exact point. They’re afraid of asking, of looking unprepared, or of being rejected. But the truth is: the voucher exists to be used, and coaching exists to support people before they have it all figured out.
As one Fired Up client, Stephen, put it:
“Receiving Arbeitslosengeld, it seemed like a no-brainer opportunity for me to get the support of someone else. It’s not always easy as a foreigner to understand German bureaucracy.
“So having a supportive network and a coach to break down these challenges made a huge difference. I feel more confident and empowered now – less doubting, more willing to face the hard questions because I know the rewards are worth it.”
– Stephen, transitioned from tech startups to starting his own business
That support starts the moment you ask for it — not just when coaching begins, but when you choose to advocate for yourself in the system.
Need an approved AVGS coaching provider in Germany to name in your application?
We’ve got you.
👉 Learn more about AVGS coaching in Germany with Fired Up
👉 Find the perfect coach for you
We support people across Germany at all stages of career transition. Whether you’re exploring freelancing, considering self-employment, or just trying to rediscover what motivates you.
If it’s time to take a step toward something new, we’d love to walk with you.
