Starting an apprenticeship often means investing in professional equipment from day one: safety gear, technical tools, digital equipment… The first pedagogical equipment allowance exists to reduce this cost. In 2026, its amounts change according to the diploma level.
In short: the first equipment allowance is maintained in 2026, but with a modulation by diploma level: €500 for levels 3 and 4 (CAP, vocational bac), €300 for level 5 (BTS), and abolished for levels 6 and 7 (bachelor's, master's). It is paid by the Opco that covers the company, with no specific action needed from the apprentice. A plan to cut it to €200 was blocked by Minister Sabrina Roubache in May 2026.
What is the apprentice first equipment allowance?
The first pedagogical equipment allowance is a funding mechanism designed to cover costs related to the equipment an apprentice needs to start their training: tools, professional attire, safety gear, digital equipment. It applies to apprentices signing an apprenticeship contract and is paid by the skills operator (Opco) that covers the employer.
"The first equipment allowance is a lever for equal access to training. Without it, young people from modest backgrounds would give up on technical programs that are expensive in terms of equipment." — ANAF (National Association of Apprentices of France)
This allowance is particularly important in fields where the initial equipment represents a significant cost. For example, a Hairdressing CAP requires between €300 and €600 worth of equipment, while a Masonry CAP can require over €1,200 of equipment.
What changes in 2026 for this allowance?
Timeline of decisions
The year 2026 was marked by a genuine regulatory saga around this allowance:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | Decree proposal to reduce the cap from €500 to €200 |
| May 4, 2026 | Minister Sabrina Roubache blocks the cut |
| June 2026 | Confirmation of the €500 maintenance for the 2026 back-to-school period |
| July 14, 2026 | Announcement of a decree differentiated by diploma level |
New amounts by level
The decree announced in July 2026 introduces a modulation by diploma level targeted by the apprenticeship contract:
| Level | Diplomas concerned | Allowance amount |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | CAP, BEP | €500 |
| Level 4 | Vocational bac, BP | €500 |
| Level 5 | BTS, DUT, BUT | €300 |
| Level 6 | Bachelor's degree, bachelor | Abolished |
| Level 7 | Master's, engineering degree | Abolished |
The stated objective of the ministry is to prioritize young people from the most modest backgrounds who enter short training programs with high equipment costs.
Why this modulation by level?
The modulation by diploma level is based on an observation: short training programs (CAP, vocational bac) are often the most expensive in terms of initial equipment, and they attract more young people from modest backgrounds. Conversely, bachelor's and master's level programs use lighter equipment (often a laptop) and concern populations that are statistically less dependent on aid.
This rationale was debated. The FNADIR (National Federation of CFA Directors) denounced a risk of cost shifting toward higher-level apprentices. The ANAF warned of the risk of breaking equal access. The compromise reached — maintaining €500 for levels 3 and 4, reducing to €300 for level 5 — aims to balance these concerns.
How to receive the first equipment allowance?
The allowance is paid automatically by the Opco that covers the company. No specific action is required from the apprentice:
- The employer signs the apprenticeship contract.
- The CFA transmits the pedagogical information to the Opco.
- The Opco pays the allowance according to the contract's diploma level.
If you are looking for a company to sign your contract, check our apprenticeship job search page and our guide to finding a company for an apprenticeship.
The first equipment allowance in the context of 2026 aid
The first equipment allowance is part of an ecosystem of aid for apprentices that evolved in 2026:
- Single hiring aid: up to €5,000 in the first year for companies with fewer than 250 employees (see our article on the apprentice hiring aid in 2026).
- Abolition of the driving license allowance (€500) since February 2026.
- Housing aid: Mobili-Jeune, Visale, APL (see our article on apprenticeship and housing).
To estimate your salary and aid, use our salary simulator and consult our page on financial aid.
The €750 employer remaining charge
Note: since 2025, a mandatory €750 remaining charge applies to employers for contracts targeting a level 6 or higher certification. This mechanism, distinct from the first equipment allowance, aims to make the funding of higher apprenticeship programs more responsible. In case of early termination followed by a new contract, this remaining charge is reduced to €200.
Actual equipment costs by field
The first equipment allowance does not always cover all expenses. Here are some typical figures:
| Field | Typical equipment | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdressing CAP | Scissors, combs, cutting material | €300–600 |
| Masonry CAP | Hand tools, PPE, safety shoes | €600–1,200 |
| Culinary vocational bac | Knives, outfit, pastry material | €400–800 |
| IT BTS | Laptop, software | €800–1,500 |
| Industrial bachelor's | Specialized PPE, technical tools | €300–700 |
In fields where the allowance does not cover everything, complementary mechanisms exist: regional grants, CFA aid, social funds. Ask your institution as soon as you enroll.
Key takeaways
- The first equipment allowance is maintained in 2026, but with a modulation by diploma level.
- €500 for CAPs and vocational bacs, €300 for BTS, abolished for bachelor's and master's degrees.
- A plan to cut it to €200 was blocked by the minister in May 2026.
- The allowance is paid automatically by the Opco, with no action needed from the apprentice.
- It does not always cover all expenses: plan for a supplement depending on your field.
To go further in your apprenticeship project, check our guide on choosing your apprenticeship and the one on understanding your salary.
Sources: AEF Info, Centre Inffo, TPE Actu, Alternatives Économiques (blog Michel Abhervé, July 14, 2026), Educentric.