Spanish Bildungszeit/ Bildungsurlaub

If you’re an employee in the State of Berlin, we’ve got great news for you! You have the right to apply for Bildungszeit (formerly called Bildungsurlaub) with your employer. Bildungszeit is like a paid vacation from work that allows you to attend a certified educational event. And guess what? All of our intensive courses are certified, so you’re in for an amazing learning experience. Check out the dates in the table above!

Every employee or apprentice of a company in Berlin, regardless of age, has the right to take Bildungszeit (formerly called Bildungsurlaub). Yep, that probably means you too! Civil servants  have special leave regulations from the Federal Government and the State of Berlin that apply to them.

Full-time employees are entitled to 10 work days of Bildungszeit (formerly called Bildungsurlaub) within two consecutive years. You can choose to take 5 days of Bildungszeit once a year or enjoy a 10-day Bildungszeit every two years.

The two-year period starts with the first use of Bildungszeit (first day of the recognized event). Oh, and just a heads-up, any unused Bildungsurlaub from previous years expires, so be sure to make the most of it! If you’re under 25, you’re in luck—you’re entitled to 10 working days of Bildungszeit per year. For part-time employees, the number of days you’re entitled varies according to the number of regular work day per week.

Simply apply for Bildungszeit (formerly called Bildungsurlaub) with your employer. Let them know as soon as possible that you’re eager to use your Bildungszeit and specify the dates you have in mind. It’s recommended to notify your employer at least 6 weeks before your certified course starts, but the earlier, the better!

Once you enroll in one of our courses as Bildungszeit, we’ll provide you with a confirmation of your enrollment (Anmeldebestätigung) and the certification notice from the Senate Administration of the State of Berlin (Anerkennungsbescheid der Senatsverwaltung Berlin). Make sure you present these two documents to your employer.