Financing yoga teacher training: Educational leave, subsidies & what still really applies

The yoga teacher training is booked – and then comes the question that many only ask too late: How do I actually pay for it? Between "just save up myself" and "aren't there any subsidies?" there's often more than you think – but also some things that no longer exist. Here's a current, straightforward overview.

Educational leave: the underestimated lever

Educational leave (also called educational release in some German states) gives employees the right to paid time off for professional development – ​​usually 5 days per year , often combinable as 10 days every two years. The best part: your salary continues to be paid while you're in training.

Two things are often overlooked:

First: Bavaria and Saxony currently have no legal entitlement – ​​in Saxony this will only change from 2027 onwards. Second: What matters is not your place of residence, but the federal state in which your employer is based or you work.

And not every training course automatically qualifies as educational leave – the provider must be recognized as an educational leave provider by the respective federal state. You can usually find this information directly in the course profile or by contacting the provider.

The education bonus no longer exists.

A program that is still frequently cited online, but simply no longer exists: the federal government's education premium with its "premium voucher" (50% of course fees, up to €500). It expired at the end of 2021, and there is currently no nationwide successor program of the same type. So if you come across this name: that was once available, but it will no longer be an option in 2026.

What else could be considered?

Instead of a single large funding pot, it is usually worthwhile to look at several smaller building blocks:

Installment payments directly with the provider: Many training institutions now offer installment or monthly payments, especially for longer, more expensive programs. A quick call to your chosen provider usually clarifies this faster than any funding database.

Employer support: If the training has a professional relevance (e.g., for physiotherapists, educators, or people who want to offer courses in their own company), it is worth having an open conversation – some employers voluntarily contribute to further training costs, independent of government programs.

State-specific funding programs: Some German states have their own regionally limited further training vouchers or subsidies. Whether and to what extent this applies to your training varies considerably – it's worth doing a quick search with the relevant state agency instead of relying on general statements.

For a specific search for a suitable training course – including filters for cost, format, and federal state – check out our yoga teacher training search . Many providers state directly there whether educational leave is possible.