New regulations for vegetarian and vegan culinary apprenticeships were published on Wednesday, paving the way for their introduction in 2025.

The formal start date is set for 1 July 2025, according to a press release from the Green Economy, a group within the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ). However, details such as the curriculum and final exam content still need to be finalised.

The regulations have been under review since the summer of 2024, with the Green Party pushing for swift approval by Labour Minister Martin Kocher.

Apprentices are expected to begin training as “specialists in vegetarian cuisine” by autumn 2025, with the Green Economy attributing the delay to the Ministry of Labour. “I am very pleased that apprentices will soon be able to start their training in vegetarian cuisine – despite delays caused by the Ministry of Labour,” said Elisabeth Götze, spokesperson for the Green Party on economic matters.

Both the Green Economy and the Vegan Society have welcomed the news. “We won’t let the lengthy process spoil this day of celebration for Austrian gastronomy,” said Sabine Jungwirth, national spokesperson for the Green Economy.

Like a traditional culinary apprenticeship, the vegan and vegetarian culinary apprenticeship will last three years. It has also been confirmed that businesses wishing to train apprentices do not need to be exclusively vegetarian.