Would a language course be nice, but you haven’t had the time for it yet? How about taking educational leave? Applying for it isn’t difficult—but few people are aware of this right. That’s a shame, because the professional and personal benefits of continuing education are significant.
Where are educational leave laws in place?
The regulations for paid educational leave date back to the 1974 Convention of the International Labor Organization (ILO). It obligates signatory states to introduce paid educational leave for the purposes of vocational, general, and political education—also known as “educational leave.”
Since the federal government has not taken any initiative to implement this obligation, individual federal states have enacted their own laws. With the exception of Bavaria, all 15 other federal states (and Saxony starting in 2027) offer the option to take educational leave. We’ve listed the specific provisions in each federal state here.
Baden-Württemberg
Berlin
Brandenburg
Bremen
Hamburg
Hesse
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Lower Saxony
North Rhine-Westphalia
Rhineland-Palatinate
Saarland
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony (three days starting in 2027)
Schleswig-Holstein
Thuringia
Which federal state applies to me? My place of work or residence?
Generally, the location where you work applies. Your employment contract usually specifies your work location. If your work location changes, you should ask your works council what the company’s policy is.
How many days for training?
The relevant state laws specify how many days employees are entitled to take off for continuing education. Almost everywhere, five workdays per calendar year are provided for, which can also be “saved up” over two years. In that case, ten workdays are possible within two consecutive calendar years.
Apply in a Timely Manner
You must apply for time off in advance. The rules regarding application deadlines vary by state: In most cases, employees should allow between four and eight weeks. However, it’s advisable to discuss the time off with your employer well in advance of the statutory deadlines. After all, you don’t want your employer to face any staffing shortages during your absence. When applying for leave, please also specify the planned educational event, which must be recognized under the Continuing Education Act. The organizers usually have the relevant documentation and forms.
What if your boss says “no”?
An employer must approve a request for time off that is submitted correctly and in a timely manner. They can only deny the request if there are urgent operational reasons against it. This is the case, for example, if too many other colleagues are already on vacation and this jeopardizes the normal workflow at the company. If the employer denies the request, your entitlement to paid time off does not lapse.
What kinds of courses can I take?
Educational leave is not limited to professional development. Political or cultural education is also supported. If your course is recognized under the Continuing Education Act, you can also learn a language or take a stress management course. If you’re unsure, you should check with the course provider to see if the program is recognized as educational leave in your state. If the answer is unclear, it’s best to talk to your supervisor about other options.
Who covers the costs?
The costs of continuing education are shared between employees and employers: The employer continues to pay the employee’s salary during the educational program. The employee covers the costs of the seminar or course, lodging, and travel.
However: Expenses for job-related training and continuing education can be claimed as tax deductions. In addition to course fees, the tax office also recognizes travel and lodging costs as well as meal allowances.
Helpful Links
On the portal of the Conference of Ministers of Education, you’ll be redirected to the respective state portals containing continuing education laws. These sites not only explain the individual state laws in detail but also typically list recognized educational programs.
Trade unions are among the largest providers of education in Germany. IG Metall also offers numerous recognized seminars that members can attend free of charge.
