Looking for a company for the autumn 2026 intake? One piece of information can tip the scales in your favour: the incentive your future employer will receive by hiring you. Decree n° 2026-168 of 6 March 2026 renewed and reshaped this incentive — and knowing the rules will help you target your applications wisely.
In short: for any apprenticeship contract signed since 8 March 2026 and starting before 1 January 2027, the employer receives an incentive in the first year: €5,000 (qualification at bac level or below), €4,500 (bac+2) or €2,000 (bac+3 to bac+5) in companies with fewer than 250 employees; €2,000, €1,500 or €750 in larger ones. It rises to €6,000 if the apprentice has recognised disabled worker status, regardless of the qualification or the size of the company.
What are the incentive amounts in 2026?
New this year: the amount now depends on the level of the qualification being prepared, in addition to the size of the company.
| Qualification prepared | Company < 250 employees | Company ≥ 250 employees |
|---|---|---|
| Bac level or below (levels 3–4) | €5,000 | €2,000 |
| Bac+2 — BTS, professional title (level 5) | €4,500 | €1,500 |
| Bac+3 to bac+5 — bachelor's, master's (levels 6–7) | €2,000 | €750 |
| Apprentice with recognised disability (RQTH) | €6,000 | €6,000 |
The incentive is paid only during the first year of the contract. Companies with fewer than 250 employees receive it with no conditions; those with 250 or more must commit to reaching a threshold of work-study contracts in their workforce by 31 December 2027.
This incentive is paid to the employer, not to the apprentice. Your salary remains set as a percentage of the SMIC (the French minimum wage) — check your minimum with our salary simulator.
Why have these amounts gone down?
After years of a flat €6,000 incentive, the State is gradually scaling back: the stated goal is to save around 200 million euros in 2026. Public support is being refocused on entry-level qualifications — CAP, bac pro, BTS — where apprenticeships do the most to improve employability.
The practical consequence for you: recruiters are scrutinising the budget equation more closely, especially for higher education degrees, where the incentive is now four times lower than at bac level in large companies.
How can you turn this into an asset in your search?
Knowing these figures gives you a real edge in interviews:
- Target small and medium-sized businesses if you're preparing a CAP, bac pro or BTS: with €4,500 to €5,000 in unconditional support, they have a direct interest in hiring you. Browse the apprenticeship offers near you.
- Prepare your pitch at master's level: since the incentive is reduced, highlight your moderate real cost (salary as a percentage of the SMIC, exemptions) and your added value in a high-demand occupation.
- Mention the incentive to employers who are hesitating: many small businesses still don't know the 2026 amounts. A candidate who can explain them is reassuring.
- Don't wait: the incentive only applies to contracts starting before 1 January 2027. Companies therefore have every reason to sign for September — re-read our tips on finding an apprenticeship company.
And what about your budget?
The employer incentive never lands in your bank account, but other schemes do concern you directly: housing assistance, Mobili-Jeune, the Visale guarantee, driving licence support… Take a look at our financial aid to top up your salary — which, by the way, has just gone up with the SMIC increase of 1 June 2026.