in German

"Bildungsurlaub" - Educational Leave

   What does "Bildungsurlaub" mean?

'Bildungsurlaub' is a concept of paid educational leave from the job for a certain time period, which is regulated by German law.

   Who can claim "Bildungsurlaub"?

Generally every employee, who is full-time employed by one company over a minimum period of 6 months, can take "Bildungsurlaub". In Germany, there are 5 working days per annum, which can be taken as "Bildungsurlaub".

In Hessia for example, employees can stake a claim for one week of further educational purposes, like improving language skills in Business-English. This time will financially supported by the employer (ongoing payment of salary).

Our intensive courses (6 lessons per day) are recognized as "Bildungsurlaub" in Hessia and the following other parts of Germany:

* here, a course with higher amount of lessons is required. We can provide such a course for an extra € 75 per week.

Claim "Bildungsurlaub" as Advertisement Cost

The Federal Finance Court has eased the imcome tax deduction for cost of a language course for employees within the last years.

It is important to proof to the local tax office (Finanzamt) that the language course was taken for professional or managerial purposes.

This can be done through a letter from the employer. Sprachcaffe is happy to assist by giving the schedule and a seperate invoice for all language course-expenses.

Extended " Bildungsurlaub" - more than 5 days!?

No Problem! If you like to book a 2 week language course abroad, you have to shift the 5 days from two years together. Therefor, you have to inform your employer in written form by the

 

Payment of Salary

During the educational leave, you will receive your regular payments. If you book in for a longer period, you only have to claim a certain amount of days as "Bildungsurlaub" at your company.

Criteria

You decide about course type and destination for your "Bldungsurlaub". The course you are taking must be according to the regulations - such as the programm from Sprachcaffe!

The Sprachcaffe procedure

Planning
Inform your employer as soon as possible about your plans and time of travel. We recommend to apply 2-3 months in advance.

Please note that in Rheinland-Pfalz the confirmation of enrolment has to be shown to the employer 8 weeks in advance. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern latest until 15 weeks before travelling.

Inscription
After you enroled you will receive a confirmation for your employer. We confirm that you take part in an acknowledged course for further educational purposes.

In Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Rheinland-Pfalz there is a slightly different regulation and procedure through which the confirmation takes a bit longer. Therefore it is recommended to apply in written form as soon as possible.

Confirmation
After your course, you will receive another confirmation for your employer, which is the offical document proofing your "Bildungsurlaub".

Further Information about "Bildungsurlaub"

Inquiries and further information about the legal regulations are available at the according federal office in your state.

For Hessia this is the Hessian Federal Social Office:

Hessisches Sozialministerium
- Referat IV 8B -
Dostojewskistraße 4
65187 Wiesbaden

Tel.: 0611 / 817 - 3673
Fax: 0611 / 890 - 8421

eMail: bildungsurlaub@hsm.hessen.de
Internet: www.bildungsurlaub.hessen.de

>> Book your "Bildungsurlaub" here!