Legal framework
Training is the law. Here is what each country says.
Safety, job adaptation, AI literacy, cybersecurity: identify what applies to you and what you must be able to prove.
At a glance
In most European countries, the employer must train employees, at least on safety and job adaptation. The European AI regulation and the NIS2 directive add training issues for AI and cybersecurity. In every case, you must be able to prove who was trained, in what, and when.
The essentials
Three ideas to remember
Training is an obligation
Safety, job adaptation, maintaining employability: training is part of the employer's duties.
An obligation must be proven
In the event of an inspection or dispute, what counts is the record: who completed what, and when.
An avoidable cost
In France, in companies with 50 or more employees, the absence of follow-up over six years can lead to a corrective top-up of €3,000 to the employee's training account.
Training your employees
A few reference obligations, by country.
| Country | What the law says | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| France | The employer ensures that employees are adapted to their jobs and ensures that they maintain their ability to hold a job. | Labour Code, art. L6321-1 |
| France | Professional review every two years, summary review every six years. | Labour Code, art. L6315-1 |
| France | Information and training of workers on safety. | Labour Code, art. L4141-1 et seq. |
| Germany | Instruction of employees on occupational safety and health, before they start the job and then at regular intervals. | ArbSchG, § 12 |
| Germany | The employer and the works council jointly promote the vocational training of employees. | BetrVG, § 96 |
| Spain | Training in risk prevention for every employee, on hiring and when jobs or technologies change. | Ley 31/1995, art. 19 |
| Spain | Right to vocational training at work, including paid leave of 20 hours per year after one year of service. | Estatuto de los Trabajadores, art. 23 |
| Italy | Sufficient and adequate health and safety training for every worker, with updates. | D.Lgs. 81/2008, art. 37 |
Training on AI and cybersecurity in Europe
Two European texts that place training at the heart of compliance.
| Topic | What the law says | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence | Organisations that develop or use AI must ensure that their teams have an adequate level of AI literacy. Check the consolidated text and the application timetable. | Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, art. 4 |
| Cybersecurity | Cybersecurity training and awareness, including for senior management, depending on national transposition. | Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2) |
Being a training provider
Certification or quality approval depending on the country.
| Country | What the law says | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| France | Qualiopi certification to access public or pooled funding, since 2022. | French Labour Code, art. L6316-1 |
| Germany | AZAV approval of providers and courses for measures funded by the employment agency, for example the training voucher. | SGB III, § 184, and AZAV |
| Spain and Italy | [à compléter : accréditation des organismes de formation en Espagne et en Italie] | [à compléter : références] |
General information, not legal advice. Texts change: check the versions in force with your legal adviser or official sources.
With Kognisia
What you need to prove you have trained
Who completed what
Progress tracking by learner and by cohort.
Verified learning outcomes
Quizzes, case studies and pass rates.
Timely follow-ups
Drop-out alerts before the deadline.
One path per topic
Safety, AI, cybersecurity: your training in one place.
What if we did it with your own courses?
Thirty minutes to scope your project, see the platform in action and estimate the right licence. We reply within one working day.