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Educational leave enables employees in Germany to continue their professional development while still receiving their salary. This legal entitlement allows employees to take up to five days per year for further training, varying by federal state. The courses range from language courses to intercultural training, with costs often covered by employers or state subsidies.
Educational leave promotes lifelong learning and assists employees in adapting to the dynamic demands of the labour market, thereby enhancing their professional mobility.
Educational leave (Bildungsurlaub) refers to the right of employees to take time off work for further training programmes. Employees are entitled to 5 days per year for educational leave.
This means that during this time you are released from work by your employer and can take part in a recognised training course of your choice. Language courses abroad are top-rated because you get to know the country and culture of the host country in addition to taking part in the course. The prerequisite is that you have a valid entitlement and that the event is recognised as educational leave in the federal state in which you work. In some federal states, educational leave is referred to as Bildungszeit or Bildungsfreistellung.
If you are employed in a federal state that has passed an educational leave law, you are generally entitled to educational leave. You are entitled to 5 calendar days every year, which is a great opportunity to continue your education and improve your language skills, for example, year after year. If you are employed part-time, you can also apply for educational leave, although your entitlement is reduced in line with your working hours.
In some federal states, it is also possible to cumulate the two-year entitlement so that you have a period of 10 days in a row for your educational leave.
Educational leave is not the same as regular holiday leave. Your holiday leave will not be reduced or otherwise curtailed if you take educational leave. Although it is called educational “leave”, this does not mean time off, but time for your personal further training.
You are responsible for the costs of your educational leave event, including course fees and additional costs for travel, accommodation, and meals. Your employer will support you in that you will continue to receive your normal salary during your time off.
Get more information
In 14 federal states, employees have a statutory right to educational leave. The regulations for civil servants and judges differ in some cases. However, the exact regulations and requirements may vary from state to state.
When to apply for educational leave?
It is recommended that you apply for educational leave well in advance of the start of the training programme. Most federal states allow a period of 6-8 weeks for this.
What documents do I have to submit to the employer?
The documents to be submitted vary from state to state. In general, however, you must submit the following documents to your employer:
- Application for educational leave
- Confirmation of registration with the language school or organiser
Our standard form includes both sections, so you only need to submit this form. However, some federal states also require a certificate of recognition from the ministry, and Hesse also requires a detailed seminar plan.
Where can I apply for educational leave ?
Educational leave is usually applied for with the employer. Please note the application deadlines.
How to apply for educational leave?
Applications for educational leave are usually made in writing to the employer. However, the exact formalities may vary from state to state.
Educational leave is enshrined in law in Germany, but is handled differently from state to state. Educational leave is possible in 14 of the 16 federal states, including Baden-Württemberg, Berlin and NRW. Bavaria and Saxony do not currently offer statutory leave for further education. The specific requirements vary depending on the federal state, whereby the place of work, not the place of residence, is decisive for the entitlement to educational leave.
In the case of changing work locations, the company headquarters is decisive. A detailed overview of the state-specific regulations can be found here.
In which federal states are CERAN, Spa language courses recognised as educational leave?
CERAN, Spa language courses are recognised as educational leave in the following federal states:
Educational leave
Since 01.09.2021, educational leave in Berlin is called Bildungszeit
Who can apply for educational leave?
Employees, trainees, people working from home and freelancers whose main place of work is in Berlin
This entitlement does not apply to civil servants.
Conditions:
Have been employed for at least 6 months
Exceptions:
If 10% of those entitled have already taken or been granted training leave.
Special rules apply for companies with up to 20 employees.
If there are compelling operational interests or other employees’ entitlement to time off during the planned period.
How many days of training leave?
Full-time employees are entitled to 5 days of training time within a calendar year. If the employee regularly works more or less than 5 days a week, the entitlement increases or decreases accordingly.
Transferability to the following/previous year:
Yes, with the consent of the employer, the entitlement can be combined for future periods. Unused training time from previous years is forfeited.
Application:
Applications for training leave must be submitted to the employer no later than 6 weeks before the start of the event.
Language courses:
Language courses are possible worldwide. The language course must comprise at least 6 lessons (45 minutes) per day and serve the purpose of professional development; there must be a minimum benefit for the employer.
Recognition of online language courses:
No
Educational leave/educational leave
Brandenburg Continuing Education Act of 15 December 1993 last amended 25 January 2016
Who can apply for educational leave?
All employees in Brandenburg, including trainees.
This entitlement does not apply to civil servants, judges and soldiers.
Conditions:
Have been employed for at least 6 months
Exceptions:
If there are compelling operational interests or other employees’ entitlement to time off during the planned period.
The leave of absence can also be refused as soon as the total number of working days taken in the current calendar year for the purposes of leave of absence under this Act has reached two and a half times the number of employees, or one and a half times the number of employees in companies with no more than twenty employees as a rule.
How many days of training leave?
Full-time employees are entitled to 5 days of training leave within a calendar year. If the employee regularly works more or less than 5 days a week, the entitlement increases or decreases accordingly.
Transferability to the following/previous year:
Yes, a summary of 2 consecutive calendar years.
Unused training leave from previous years is forfeited.
Application:
Applications for educational leave must be submitted to the employer at least 6 weeks before the start of the event.
Language courses:
Language courses are possible worldwide. The language course must comprise at least 6 lessons (45 minutes) per day and may serve the purpose of professional or cultural further education.
Recognition of online language courses:
No
Educational Leave Hessian Educational Leave Act
Who can apply for educational leave?
- Employees working in Hessen and those working from home.
- Trainees (excluding further vocational training)
- Civil servants, soldiers, and judges are not covered by the Hessian Educational Leave Act. For them, there are special leave regulations for civil servants in the state of Hesse and special leave for federal civil servants and judges in federal service.
Conditions:
- Must have been employed for at least 6 months. If another employment relationship follows a training relationship or another employment relationship at the same place of employment within 4 months, the entitlement continues to exist and does not have to be acquired anew.
Exceptions:
If there are compelling operational requirements in the planned period or if more than a third of the employees have already taken part in training leave events in the current calendar year.
How many days of training leave?
Full-time employees are entitled to 5 days of training leave within a calendar year. If the employee regularly works more or less than 5 days a week, the entitlement increases or decreases accordingly.
Carryover to the following/previous year:
Yes, transfer to the following year is allowed with the employer’s agreement.
Application:
Applications for educational leave must be submitted to the employer at least 6 weeks before the start of the event.
Language courses:
Language courses are possible worldwide. The language course must comprise an average of at least 6 hours (60 minutes) per day, where the course time must not be less than 4 hours. According to the Hessian Educational Leave Act, professional development events, which include foreign language courses, must address socio-political topics (at least 20% of the time) in addition to the technical content.
Recognition of online language courses:
Since 01.01.23, hybrid or online learning has been permitted if constant interaction in real time between the participants is made possible and the didactic concept is adapted to the online format. Continuous participation must be technically ensured, for example with a microphone and camera. (§ 3 para. 3 HBUGDV)
Special features:
Since 01.01.2024, events must be directly recognised by the Hessian Ministry. According to the Hessian Educational Leave Act, professional development events must address socio-political topics (at least 20% of the time) in addition to the specialist content.
Educational Leave Act
Who can apply for educational leave? Employees and trainees are eligible to apply.
Conditions: Applicants must have been employed for at least 6 months.
Exceptions: The employer may only reject the application for educational leave if there are compelling operational or official interests to the contrary. Additionally, the wishes of other employees who cannot reasonably be expected to postpone their leave from a social point of view must be given priority. The employer may refuse to grant training leave as soon as the number of employees entitled to training leave has reached two and a half times the number of employees entitled to training leave.
How many days of training leave? Employees are entitled to 5 days of training leave per year. If the employee regularly works less than 5 days a week, the entitlement is reduced accordingly.
Carry-over to the following/previous year: The entitlement for one year automatically carries over to the following year. You can take this in separate events. If you wish to take your educational leave three years in arrears, you need the express consent of your employer. The educational leave for the current year must then be taken in one continuous event.
Application: Applications for educational leave must be submitted to the employer at least 4 weeks before the start of the event.
Language courses: Language courses are possible worldwide and must comprise at least 8 lessons of 45 minutes each per day.
Recognition of online language courses: As of the decree dated 09.06.2022, online and hybrid forms of learning are accepted. Lessons must be conducted live (in real time) in an online or hybrid format. Interaction between instructors and participants must be possible at all times. The training provider must ensure that participation has actually taken place.
Education and Training Leave Act
Who can apply for educational leave? Employees, civil servants, and judges of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate are eligible. Trainees are entitled to 5 working days during the training year for further socio-political training.
Conditions: Applicants must have been employed for at least 6 months.
Exceptions: Employers can refuse to grant training leave if there are compelling operational or official reasons. In such cases, the employer is required to involve the works or staff council in the decision. Additionally, there is no entitlement to training leave if the employer has no more than 5 employees.
How many days of training leave? Employees are generally entitled to 10 working days of training leave within 2 years, starting with the odd-numbered year.
Carry-over to the following/previous year: The entitlement for 2 calendar years can be combined.
Application: Applications for educational leave must be submitted to the employer at least 6 weeks before the start of the event.
Language courses: Language courses are possible worldwide. The course must include an average of at least 6 lessons of 45 minutes each per day and, as a rule, at least 4 lessons before 7.00 pm.
Recognition of online language courses: Online language courses are permitted as long as they involve synchronous lessons with simultaneous presence of the course leader and participants.
Special features: Recognition applies to all events of the same type and may be held at different venues.
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