Apprenticeship and professionalization contract: what are the differences?

Verified 25 February 2026 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The apprenticeship contract and the professionalization contract are contracts of employment alternating practical training in company and theoretical training. Differences exist between these two contracts, in particular as regards the duration of the contract, the age or the remuneration of the beneficiary. We present you the main differences between these two contracts.

Tableau - Differences between apprenticeship contract and professionalization contract

Apprenticeship contract

Contract of professionalization

Objective

Initial training

(diploma or professional title)

Continuing education

(professional qualification)

Type of contract

  • Limited-term contract (CDL)
  • Contract of indefinite duration (CDI)
  • Fixed-term contract (CDD)
  • Contract of indefinite duration (CDI)

Duration of contract

Where the contract is of limited duration, its duration shall be 6 months minimum to 3 years maximum.

The maximum duration of the contract may be extended to 4 years if the apprentice is in one of the following situations:

  • It is recognized disabled worker
  • He is a top sportsman.
  • The duration of the contract is specified in an agreement annexed to the contract.

If it is a FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: titleContent, the minimum duration is between 6 and 12 months.

It can be lengthened to 36 months in certain situations.

If it is a DTA: titleContent, the professionalization action is at the beginning of the contract. Sa minimum duration is between 6 and 12 months.

It can be lengthened to 36 months in certain situations.

Age requirements

  • From 16 to 29 years past age (30 years minus 1 day)
  • Young of 15 years provided you have completed your year of 3e.
  • Age maximum can be raised to 35 years at most (36 years minus 1 day) in the following cases:

    • The apprentice signs a new contract to access a higher level of diploma than that already obtained
    • The previous contract has been broken for reasons beyond his control, or for physical incapacity.
    • It must then not flow more than 1 year between the 2 contracts.

      There's no no age limit if the apprentice is in one of the following situations:

      • It is recognized disabled worker
      • He plans to set up or take over a company that requires a degree
      • He is a top sportsman
      • He does not obtain the diploma or professional title concerned (maximum extension of 1 year).
  • From 16 to 25 years completed (26 years less one day) to complete initial training
  • From 26 years and older for jobseekers
  • No age requirement for persons who perceive the RSA: titleContent, theASS: titleContent or theAAH: titleContent and for people leaving a Single insertion contract (CUI)

Training

At least 25% of the total duration of the contract

150 hours minimum and between 15% and 25% of the total duration of the contract

Remuneration

Enter 27% and 100% of Smic: titleContent depending on age and level of education, or the conventional minimum wage if more favorable

Enter 55% and 100% of Smic: titleContent according to age and level of education, or 85% the minimum remuneration set out in the collective agreement or company branch agreement if more favorable

Aid for work-study students

Mobil-youth assistance is a housing benefit available under conditions to young people under 30 years of age

Mobil-youth assistance is a housing benefit available under conditions to young people under 30 years of age

Hiring aids

It exists several aids

It exists several aids

You can use a simulator which allows compare the annual salary cost alternating according to either of these contracts:

Calculate the annual salary cost of an apprentice and the aids (apprenticeship or professionalization contract)

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