Learning during working hours and getting paid for it. Educational leave makes what sounds great possible.
Here you can find out everything about educational leave, in which federal states it applies and how to apply for it.
Educational leave requirements: This is how you learn and get paid for it!
Lifelong learning keeps your mind fit and allows you to grow. Continuing to develop yourself after you have finished your training is a great way to grow as a person.
In many federal states in Germany, you are entitled to educational leave,which means that you are entitled to several days per year for professional, cultural or political training outside of your recreational leave. In most federal states, you are entitled to up to five working days of educational leave per year, in Saarland even up to six. If you want to take advantage of this, there are a few points to bear in mind, which we explain below.
Where is educational leave possible?
Educational leave is regulated by the federal states. It is currently possible in 14 of the 16 German federal states. Please note that your place of work is relevant for educational leave, not your place of residence. In the table below you can see at a glance whether you are entitled to educational leave.
| Federal state | Entitlement to educational leave? | Online educational leave possible? |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Wuerttemberg | Yes | Yes, although there is no legal entitlement |
| Bavaria | no, only on a voluntary basis by the employer | no, only on a voluntary basis by the employer |
| Berlin | Yes | No regulation, individually agreed with employer |
| Brandenburg | yes | yes |
| Bremen | yes | yes |
| Hamburg | yes | yes |
| Hesse | yes | yes |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | yes | yes |
| Lower Saxony | Yes | yes |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Yes | yes |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | Yes | yes |
| Saarland | Yes | yes |
| Saxony | no, only on a voluntary basis by the employer | no, only on a voluntary basis by the employer |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Yes | yes |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Yes | yes |
| Thuringia | yes | yes |
In Bavaria and Saxony, there is still no statutory entitlement to educational leave. In these two federal states, employees have the option of requesting voluntary educational leave. There are also exceptions to the right to educational leave for very small companies. For example, if you work in a company with five employees or fewer, your employer may not have to grant you time off.
Please also note that, depending on the federal state, separate rules and conditions may apply for the recognition of educational leave. Co Co Lingua also does not work with all federal states for educational leave. You can find out which federal states we work with on the educational leave pages:
Please feel free to contact us. We will help you find your way through the regulations for educational leave!
What 3 types of educational leave are there?
Educational leave falls into three categories:
- Profession
- Politics
- Culture
Professional training leave is about improving your professional knowledge and skills. Political educational leave deepens citizens’ understanding in this area through seminars and events. Cultural educational leave allows employees to expand their skills in this area. This includes, for example, courses in music and art as well as cultural trips.
Depending on the federal state, our range of language courses falls under cultural or professional educational leave. If you live in one of the federal states in which your employer is obliged to grant educational leave, take advantage of the opportunity now. Contact us and book your educational leave.
Who pays for educational leave?
What sounds good is also the case with educational leave. Your employer will continue to pay your salary during your training leave. As an employee, you are responsible for the course fees as well as the costs of travel to and from the course and accommodation at the location of your educational leave.
You may be able to deduct the expenses for your educational leave in your tax return if the course you attended is for professional development. We recommend that you seek advice on this from a tax expert.
Online educational vacation: learning from home
If you don’t want to travel for your educational leave, but would rather complete it from the comfort of your own home, there is a convenient learning option for you: online educational leave.
Learn Spanish from the comfort of your own home with our online learning vacation. Our courses are specially tailored for digital learning and will help you improve your Spanish and immerse yourself in Spanish culture. In the table at the top of the page you can see which countries allow online educational vacations.
If you would like to spend your online educational leave with us, please contact us. We can advise you on the options for digital educational leave in your federal state.
Applying for educational leave: it’s that easy!
If you want to apply for educational leave, you must inform your employer in writing. It is best to find out about the regulations in your federal state first and contact your employer in good time. Depending on the federal state, there are different deadlines for applying for educational leave. As a rule, the application must be submitted four to nine weeks before the start of the educational leave.
Co Co Lingua: Learn Spanish in Lanzarote
If you’re interested in an educational vacation with Spanish lessons, you’ll love our language school. You’ll learn from native speakers on Lanzarote. Our beautiful Canary Island is an Eldorado for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. You can combine your educational vacation with cultural activities. Study in the morning and explore the island and its culture in the afternoon!
We offer educational vacations on site in Lanzarote and online, in small groups.
Book your educational vacation on Lanzarote now. Learn where others go on vacation!
Step-by-step: Applying for educational leave
- Educational leave is a federal state matter – check whether your federal state has educational leave laws and whether your employer is based in this federal state.
- Almost all federal states (except Bavaria and Saxony) offer educational leave.
- As a rule, you must have been employed for at least six months.
- The course must be recognized as educational leave – for example, language trips to Spain or Lanzarote with a certified provider.
- You can find suitable offers on websites such as www.bildungsurlaub.de .
- You will receive from the course provider:
- Registration confirmation
- Recognition notice for your federal state
- Information about the content and duration of the course
- Submit the application in writing to your employer at least six to eight weeks before the start of the course.
- Attach the above documents.
- Approval is not required if you have a statutory entitlement – the employer may only refuse the application in exceptional cases (e.g. for urgent operational reasons).
- You will usually receive a response within a few weeks.
- In the event of a rejection, you have the option of lodging a legal appeal in many federal states.
