Qualification agreement - payback clause

Employers and employees can agree on a payback clause in a 'Qualification agreement'. Thereby, the employee will work for the employer for an agreed period (no more than 5 years) after completing training to compensate the employer for the training expenses incurred. If an employee decides to terminate the employment before the agreed period, he/she must reimburse the costs of the training (up to 100%). If an employee partly fulfilled his/her commitment to remain in employment for the duration of the agreed period, the amount to be repaid will be reduced proportionately. If the training undertaken by the employee leads to 'deepening' (rather than upgrading) qualification, the agreement may be concluded if the anticipated costs of training amount to at least EUR 1 700. The Labour Code stipulates minimum requirements. Modifications in favour of the employee are subject to negotiations between employee and employer, or to collective agreements.