New apprentice hiring incentives applicable since March 8, 2026

The objective of the scheme remains unchanged: to encourage companies to recruit apprentices by financially supporting employers during the first year of the contract.

The amount of aid varies according to the size of the company and the diploma.

The decree sets different levels of aid depending on the size of the company and the level of qualification being prepared by the apprentice.

For companies with fewer than 250 employees, the aid can reach:

• €4,500 for a diploma or professional qualification at Bac +2 level;
• €2,000 for a degree at Bac +3 to Bac +5 level.

For companies with 250 employees or more, the amounts are lower:

• €1,500 for a Bac +2 level diploma;
• €750 for a degree at Bac +3 to Bac +5 level.

Furthermore, all companies can benefit from aid of up to €6,000 when the contract is concluded with a person recognized as a disabled worker, regardless of the level of diploma being pursued.

Aid paid only in the first year

As before, this exceptional aid is paid only for the first year of the apprenticeship contract. It aims to reduce the initial recruitment cost for companies.

The payment is made after the hiring declaration and is managed by the Agency for Services and Payments (ASP), generally in the form of regular payments over the period concerned.

Not cumulative with certain existing aid programs

The scheme cannot be combined with the single apprenticeship grant of €5,000, reserved for companies with fewer than 250 employees for hiring an apprentice preparing for a diploma up to the baccalaureate level.

Employers must therefore check which scheme is most advantageous depending on the apprentice's profile and the diploma being prepared.

An important lever for youth employment

Apprenticeships remain a central lever of youth employment policy in France. By providing financial support to employers, these subsidies aim to promote access to work-study training and strengthen skills within companies, particularly in sectors facing labor shortages.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.