Germany’s Educational “Retreat”: Paid Travel Leave without Work
Spanish, Surfing, Storytelling: What this paid education time is and why “Bildungsurlaub” can be an underrated career upgrade.
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Financial literacy, public speaking, Spanish in Montevideo, or a surf-and-seminar retreat in Tenerife.
These are just a few ways to spend what Germans call Bildungsurlaub. This litterally translates to “Education & Vacation”.
A few days ago, this topic came up randomly at a brunch in Dubai with a former colleague.
The European work culture is one-of-a-kind and the following concept is even more special.
Mainly, because we’re constantly told that “lifelong learning” is key. Here are growing future jobs until 2030.
But real talk: When was the last time you took time off just to learn something new?
Not for a deadline.
Not for a test.
But for you?
The good news: In Germany, you don’t need to quit your job or sacrifice about 30 yearly vacation days to do it.
There’s a legal framework for Bildungsurlaub that allows employees to take time off work to pursue personal or professional education and still get paid.
🧠 What is Bildungsurlaub?
Literally translated as “education leave,” Bildungsurlaub is a German policy that gives employees extra paid time off.
Typically five working days per year to participate in certified courses for professional, political, or personal development.
Yes, it’s real. Yes, it’s paid. And no, most people (even in Germany) have never heard of it.
The idea: If you grow, your company grows too. Choosing a course that advances your career and learning new skills or tools can lead to a new position, promotion or other benefits in the long run. Discover 7 alternative careers for UX designers.
At the same time, you are in a different place and that alone is an inspiration. Do you like it better there than at home? Here are some tips for job hunting abroad!
🇩🇪 Which German states offer Bildungsurlaub?
Surprisingly, not all of them offer it. Here is a quick overview:
✅ Yes: Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baden-Württemberg
❌ No: Bavaria, Saxony
You do not have to live and study in the same federal state. Your place of work counts. If in doubt, speak to your employer.
🚀 Why does this concept matter?
Because learning shouldn’t always mean evenings in front of a screen.
Sometimes it means learning how to pitch an idea, navigate a new culture, or create a vision board for your next career chapter.
And here’s the beauty of it: You could be sitting in a design course in Berlin, learning AI compliance remotely from your home, or taking language classes by the sea in southern Spain. Perhaps you would then like to set up a company in Santiago and join Start-up Chile.
📚 What can you learn?
The options are wide-ranging from practical to creative to reflective. Some popular topics:
🌍 Languages & Culture: French in Marseille, Spanish in Montevideo
🎨 Creative & Digital: UX/UI, visual storytelling, Adobe tools
🌱 Health & Balance: Mindfulness, burnout prevention, resilience
💡 Soft Skills: Presentation, communication, leadership
📈 Professional Development: AI tools, project management
… and much, much more.
Most courses even blend education with travel. Think: seminar by day, surf lessons by evening.
💸 How much does it cost?
The time off is paid (if it’s an approved course by the state) but course fees, travel, and accommodation are usually self-funded (unless your employer or health insurer contributes voluntarily).
Please find typical prices below, based on random and independant examples to give you an idea:
- 5 days presentation training, Germany (without accommodation): 490€
- 5-day Spanish course, Spain (without accommodation): from €295
- 5 days AI Compliance Training, online: 999€
Packages are different. In general, many organizers choose beautiful, calm environments such as nature hotels, creative hubs, or co-learning spaces.
🌎 Can you take Bildungsurlaub abroad?
Yes, but with limits.
While Bildungsurlaub is a Germany-specific law, many people use it to attend classes abroad, especially language schools. But you can’t just go to any University!
Some courses are fully online, so technically you could be sitting on a balcony in Italy while learning leadership theory.
International universities aren’t commonly included (yet), so most courses are offered by German organizations. A dream scenario: Taking a short creative course at a renowned institution like UAL London and having it officially count would be fantastic.
🚨 What’s the catch?
Let’s talk downsides:
- Not every state supports it. If you work in Bavaria or Saxony, you’re currently out of luck just because of geography. No legal right to Bildungsurlaub (yet).
- Not every course is worth it. Some courses labeled as Bildungsurlaub-approved are only loosely connected to career development. Cooking, knitting, or dream interpretation sound fun, but will they help you land your next role or promotion? Unlikely. There’s growing concern that this benefit could be misused for pseudo-vacations, diluting its credibility.
- Bureaucracy. You’ll need to choose a course that’s recognized in your specific state, file paperwork, and apply at least 6 weeks in advance. It’s not complicated, but it’s also not intuitive.
It’s up to us to choose wisely. Ask yourself: Will this course make me better at what I want to do next? Because job profiles evolve quickly: How UX/UI designers turned into UIX/AI designers.
📝 How do you apply?
If you’re working in Germany and want to try Bildungsurlaub:
- Find a certified course (important: it must be recognized by your particular federal state)
- Apply at least 6 weeks in advance
- Submit the necessary forms (usually course description + official request)
- Attend, get certified, and use what you learned
It’s not extremely difficult, but it does require initiative. Some employers are still unfamiliar with it, so it helps to come prepared with facts and confidence.
💭 Final thought: Learning means growth
Bildungsurlaub is more than a legal benefit in Germany: It’s a mindset.
It’s saying: “My growth matters. And I don’t have to wait for burnout to press pause.”
So, what would your dream learning break look like?
A retreat in the mountains? A leadership lab in Lisbon? Or just five peaceful days to sharpen your vision for the future?
Take this special leave, if you’re interested. You deserve it. And maybe you’ll move to Germany after reading this.
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