New research by the European Migration Network maps the opportunities for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection to follow vocational education and training and work-based learning pathways in EU Member States and EMN Observing Countries.
EMN inform | International protection
How is vocational education arranged for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection in the EU member states?
2 december 2025
> Read the full EMN inform (comparison between 26 EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries*)
Belgium, the Czech Republic, and France offer special vocational training exclusively for beneficiaries of international protection. Cyprus and Greece have such programmes for both beneficiaries of international protection and asylum applicants. However, in most countries, including the Netherlands, it is common for beneficiaries of international protection and (under certain conditions) asylum applicants to be eligible for the regular provision of vocational education.
The conditions for admission to vocational training vary significantly by country. These can include:
- a residence permit (Greece and Italy);
- a work permit (Austria, Cyprus, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg);
- registration as unemployed or job-seeking (Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia);
- sufficient knowledge of the language of the course (Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Slovakia);
- a minimum length of stay in the host country (France, Ireland, Slovenia);
- completion of compulsory prior education (Estonia, Latvia, Sweden).
What does the Netherlands do?
The Netherlands offers, just like Austria, France, and Italy, special courses and/or training programmes to support beneficiaries of international protection in starting a business. This includes, for example, education on business planning, financial management, taxes, and legal requirements.
The Netherlands, Italy, and France are the only countries with special programmes for minor asylum applicants and beneficiaries of international protection between the ages of 16 and 18.
Participating countries: Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Cyprus (CY), Germany (DE), Czech Republic (CZ), Estonia (EE), Finland (FI), France (FR), Greece (EL), Hungary (HU), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Croatia (HR), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Latvia (LV), Malta (MT), the Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Sweden (SE), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI), Spain (ES); Serbia (RS)
