Apply for AVGS: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

If you want to become self-employed with your own business idea instead of taking a new permanent position, you can apply for the AVGS (Activation and Placement Voucher) and use it to cover the costs of professional founder coaching. The voucher is issued based on § 45 SGB III – the section of the Social Code that regulates employment promotion – by either the employment office (Agentur für Arbeit) or the job center (Jobcenter). It covers the complete consultation, usually valued at around EUR 2,500 to 8,000, depending on the scope of the measure. As an applicant, you bear no costs. The path there involves five clearly defined steps that differ in details depending on whether you receive unemployment benefit I or basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld; until June 2026: Bürgergeld).

No legal entitlement: The employment agency or job centre alone decides on the AVGS, at its own discretion.

Whether AVGS coaching could work for you, the Fit Check shows you after five questions.

What Exactly Is the AVGS?

The AVGS is a voucher issued by the employment office or job center to cover the costs of a specific support measure – such as application training, further education, or founder coaching. The legal basis is § 45 SGB III (Placement Budget and Measures with a Provider). The voucher carries a defined measure value and validity period, usually spanning several weeks to months, within which you must redeem it with a certified provider.

For aspiring founders, the “AVGS Founder Coaching” variant is particularly relevant. It covers individual guidance when preparing your business plan and financial plan, often as preparation for a subsequent application for startup grants or entry allowance.

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment with the Responsible Office

The first step is always a personal meeting, but the responsible authority differs depending on which benefit you receive.

If You Receive Unemployment Benefit I: Employment Office

If you receive ALG I, your placement specialist at the local employment office is your point of contact. The easiest way is to schedule an appointment through the employment office’s online booking system or mention your request at your next regular consultation appointment. Your remaining entitlement to ALG I matters for timing: AVGS founder coaching is easiest to plan while you still have sufficient remaining entitlement. This is also relevant for a later startup grant, which is linked to a minimum remaining entitlement period.

If You Receive Basic Income Support: Job Center

Those receiving basic income support should instead contact their assigned integration specialist at the job center. The AVGS for founder coaching is discussed here within the framework of the cooperation plan (Kooperationsplan) – the joint plan for how you become economically independent again. Entry allowance may also be an option. The job center decides on that at its own discretion as well.

In both cases, the responsible office decides after this conversation whether to issue the voucher. The documents to bring to the appointment are listed in the AVGS checklist.

Step 2: What the Employment Office or Job Center Reviews

The employment office or job center doesn’t just check whether you formally qualify, but also whether founder coaching makes sense and is necessary. This isn’t an assessment of whether your business idea is “good” in terms of guaranteed success, but whether consulting would increase your chances of building a sustainable self-employment.

Typical topics in this conversation are:

• What your business idea consists of and what value it creates for whom
• Why you’re choosing self-employment over a permanent position
• What professional or entrepreneurial gaps you want to close – for example, in preparing your business plan, financial planning, or navigating the funding landscape
• Whether you already have a coaching provider in mind

Step 3: Have the AVGS Issued

If your case manager agrees, the voucher will be issued. It typically includes:

• The specific measure being funded – in this case, founder coaching
• The maximum measure value in euros
• A validity period within which the voucher must be redeemed with a provider

Processing time varies from office to office. Realistically, plan for one to several weeks before the voucher is actually in your hands. Use this time to research suitable providers in parallel, so you can start immediately after receiving the voucher.

Step 4: Select the Right Provider

With the AVGS in hand, you choose an accredited coaching provider where you redeem your voucher. Not every provider is equally suitable. Here’s what to look for:

• 1:1 coaching rather than group courses: Individual coaching addresses your specific idea and numbers, while group formats often only convey basic knowledge.
• Bank-ready business plan as the result: The plan should ultimately be solid enough to support an application for startup grants or a meeting with your bank.
• Review of additional funding options: An experienced provider understands programs beyond AVGS – such as startup grants, entry allowance, or regional funding programs – and places you correctly.
• Language and format: Coaching is held in German (at least B2-level German required). The choice between online and in-person sessions makes it easier to fit into your daily routine.

nxt milestone offers AVGS founder coaching as 1:1 consulting, online or in Berlin, in German. In total, nxt milestone has supported more than 1,200 business start-ups.

Step 5: Conduct Coaching and Submit Results

In the final step, the actual coaching takes place. In several sessions, you develop your business plan and financial plan together with your coach, clarify open questions about legal structure, pricing, and customer acquisition, and prepare yourself for potential follow-up applications. The result is a document you can submit to the employment office or job center – for example, as the basis for an application for startup grants or entry allowance.

A practical advantage during this phase: In many cases, the regular obligation to apply for jobs lapses while coaching is ongoing, because you’re actively working on an alternative to regular employment. However, clarify the exact conditions for this with your case manager.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About AVGS Applications

Can my application be rejected?

Yes. There is no legal entitlement to the AVGS. The employment office or job center decides at its own discretion whether coaching is necessary and advisable.

How long does it take to receive the voucher?

This varies depending on the office and its current workload. Realistically, expect anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after the consultation meeting.

Do I have to continue applying for jobs while coaching?

Typically not, as long as the coaching continues as an active measure toward self-employment. You’ll discuss the exact rules individually with your responsible office.

Can I freely choose the provider?

Yes, as long as the provider is accredited for the respective measure. It’s worth comparing offers and specifically asking for 1:1 coaching.

The Next Step

The path to the AVGS is clearly regulated: you now know whom to contact and what is reviewed. The responsible office decides on approval. The real value emerges afterward, in the coaching itself, when your idea becomes a solid plan. If you’d like to learn how AVGS startup coaching works at nxt milestone specifically and whether you meet the requirements, visit our AVGS page to find out what comes next.