Index:
Introduction
Bildungsurlaub: One of the Best Options for Studying outside Germany.
Bildungsurlaub benefits for German employees
Is Bildungusrlaub the right option for you?
Why is Bildungsurlaub an ideal option for acquiring Spanish skills?
Introduction
Studying overseas can be a life-changing experience with numerous personal and professional benefits. It offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable international experience, meet interesting people from diverse backgrounds, and explore new cultures.
For Germans, there are several options to be a foreign student, but one of the best ways to do so is by taking advantage of Bildungsurlaub. This roughly translates as “educational leave” or “educational time” as is an employment benefit that allows German workers to take some time off each year for professional training, without giving up any salary or vacation days. That’s right, you can take your Bildungsurlaub, get paid while doing it, and keep all your holidays - it’s maybe the closest thing you can get to “having your cake and eating it” in the professional world. And there’s more good news: if you know how to use Bildungsurlaub for language courses overseas, it can be one of the best options for Germans to study in Europe.
In this article, we’ll look at the main Bildungsurlaub benefits for German employees and see how it compares to other options available.
Bildungsurlaub: One of the Top Choices for Learning Abroad
Bildungsurlaub stands out as one of the best alternatives for German employees seeking to gain international educational experiences without losing vacation time or salary. This legal right - which is regulated by Germany’s state-level governments (all except Bayern and Saxony, where it is not available) - offers an ideal solution for those looking to sharpen their professional skills with an overseas language course.
Key Bildungsurlaub features:
In most cases Bildungsurlaub is available to full and part-time employees, remote workers and freelancers working in the 14 federal states that offer educational leave (find out more about the specific requirements for your state here). Eligible professionals are entitled to 5 days paid leave every year to further their training, and in most states can apply to take two years at once (i.e. a 10-day course). Remember that the language programme must be officially accredited by Bildungsurlaub.
Here are some of the main advantages of using Bildingsurlaub:
Paid leave: Employees continue to receive their full salary during the Bildungsurlaub program, which makes it more financially viable to take the time off work. However, please remember that you must pay for the professional training lessons.
No vacation days used: Bildungsurlaub allows you to pursue educational opportunities without using up your vacation time.
It’s a legal right: Aside from a few specific cases, as long as the course meets your state’s requirements, your employer must approve your educational leaves (Bildungsurlaub).
Multiple destinations and study areas: You can choose any of the top destinations for Bildungsurlaub language programme in Spain, or anywhere offering approved Spanish programs.
Full language immersion: Participating in a language course in a Spanish-speaking country allows for complete immersion, which accelerates language acquisition.
Is Bildungsurlaub the right option for your educational journey?
There are other options for Germans interested in studying overseas, including university programs or exchanges (like Erasmus+), requesting a period of unpaid leave from work or simply taking a course while on vacation. Each has their advantages and drawbacks, and the table below outlines some of the main differences between these options.
Comparison: International Learning Opportunities for German Students and Professionals
Option | Time Flexibility | Cost | Salary | Cultural Immersion |
University Programs | High, but with a long-term commitment | High, dependent on scholarships or self-funded | No, unless on a scholarship | High, integration |
Vacations | Low, depends on available vacation time | All expenses covered by the student | Yes, but you use up vacation days | Medium, balanced with tourism |
Unpaid Leave | High, no time limit | Variable, but no income during your studies | No | High |
Bildungsurlaub | High, short courses of up to 5-10 days | Only required to pay the cost of the course | Full salary during study period | High, focused on education |
As you can see, among all the available options for Germans to study in Europe, Bildungsurlaub clearly stands out as one of the most effective alternatives. It offers a blend of professional development, cultural immersion, and structured support that many alternative options lack.
Why is Bildungsurlaub an ideal option for acquiring Spanish skills?
Have you ever wished you could improve your Spanish in a Spain, but could never justify the time or expense? For the reasons we’ve already highlighted above, Bildungsurlaub could be the answer, providing a great opportunity for acquiring Spanish skills in a fully immersive environment while still receiving your full salary!
Expanish offers approved courses for Bildungsurlaub in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, allowing you to not only enhance your Spanish proficiency by practising in real-life contexts but also immerse yourself in the local culture. What are you waiting for?
