What is Bildungsurlaub?
What is Bildungsurlaub?
Bildungsurlaub (also referred to as Bildungsfreistellung or Bildungszeit) is a government-backed programme, offering paid educational leave to employees of any company in any field, in 14 German states. German professionals are entitled to 5 days paid leave every year to upskill at a recognised institution and in most states can apply to take two years at once.
To become recognised, a school must meet a variety of criteria, set at state-level for Bildungsurlaub. This means that the requirements for Bildungsurlaub recognition can be different from state to state. In order to recruit German employees, your school must be first Bildungsurlaub accredited. German companies are increasingly international and often require employees to speak more than one language. For this reason, language courses are a popular option for Bildungsurlaub. However, some states require classes in things such as local politics or culture in addition to the language course component.
Once you are approved for Bildungsurlaub, your institution will be added in the list of officially recognised schools.
How does your language school benefit from Bildungsurlaub?
How does your language school benefit from Bildungsurlaub?
You may wonder why you should go through the process of becoming recognised for Bildungsurlaub? The answer is quite straight forward – if you were a German professional and you could go abroad and learn a language for up to two weeks and STILL get your full salary, wouldn’t you do it?
Each year thousands of Germans take advantage of this programme – the only catch for them is that the school they enrol in must be approved by the appropriate state. After your course/courses are approved, the Bildungsurlaub programme provides you with amazing opportunities to recruit German individuals, companies, and organisations. Remember, employees in Germany qualify for Bildungsurlaub every year – the potential for repeat enrolments by satisfied students is very high!
Germans are generally concerned about quality. In fact, for most quality is even more important than cost! Being approved for Bildungsurlaub signals to the German-speaking market that your school has met the strict criteria set by the state government. This is why using your Bildungsurlaub-Approval logo is important. It is a quick way for Germans to recognise that your school has past these requirements and offers quality courses.
Are you facing one of these problems?
Are you facing one of these problems?
- you haven’t heard of Bildungsurlaub before
- you tried to apply for Bildungsurlaub but gave up on the tedious paper work?
- you are approved for Bildungsurlaub but it takes you too long to keep up with permanent changes, reporting documents, re-application, etc. while you really should do all your other work
- you do your approvals yourself but are often uncertain when clients ask about particular requirements
- you are approved but would like to promote your courses on a webpage catering for the kind of clients you are looking for
- you don`t get enough clients from Germany
- you have difficulties finding the right doucment for the right state and the corresponding forms
Here is how Bildungsurlaub-Approval can help you:
Here is how Bildungsurlaub-Approval can help you:
- advice you which of your courses could get the approval
- check and if necessary adjust your program and time tables to meet the criteria for Bildungsurlaub
- prepare all the necessary documents in german language (where required)
- apply for the Bildungsurlaub recognition on behalf of your school in as many federal states as you wish
- do all correspondence with the german ministries on behalf of your school
- settle the ministry application fees on your behalf, where applicable
- if necessary, have your time tables and program translated if not provided in german (additional fees apply)
- re-apply and re-new the recognition
- support you in filling in the documents required for your clients
- support you in answering your questions about Bildungsurlaub
- help you with client enquiries about Bildungsurlaub
- act as german speaking contact person of your school, might be required by some states
- provide you with the „Bildungsurlaub approval“ logo to be used on your publications and website
- list your school on our webpage
- give you access to our upload and download area
- provide you with our logo, which may be used for promotional purposes
What are the criterias to get approved for Bildungsurlaub?
What are the criterias to get approved for Bildungsurlaub?
The criterias very much vary from each federal state. Bildungsurlaub-Approval will advice you in which states your language courses will meet the requirements for Bildungsurlaub. In general the minimum requirements are 30 lessons a week, a detailed syllabus must be provided. Some states require an application for each level and each destination of the language school, while others accept all levels and all destinations of one language school.
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Baden-Württemberg
Entitlement: 5 days every year
Number of lessons: 30 hours (60 minutes) per week, in average 6 hours a day
Further requirements: IALC, Qualité français langue étrangère (flé), Eaquals, British Council, DIN EN 14804, eduQua is required
Language courses: Worldwide for all languages possible
Online courses: Hybrid courses are accepted, if face-to-face predominates
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: € 150 one-time fee
Approval: The educator itself gets approved not a certain course type
Validity: Indefinitely
Baden-Württemberg
Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe
Referat 12
Schlossplatz 1-3
76247 Karlsruhe
Fon: 0721 926 -2055
Fax: 0721 93340212
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Bayern (Bavaria)
Entitlement: No Bildungsurlaub regulations in place
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Berlin
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes) daily
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide. Language course must serve the purpose of professional development
Online courses: Not accepted
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required All campuses in the same country are accepted on one approval.
Validity: usually issued for a 2-year period
Berlin
Senatsverwaltung für Integration, Arbeit und Soziales
Abt. II Berufliche Qualifizierung
Oranienstr. 106
10969 Berlin
Fon: 030 / 9028 -1484
Fax: 030 / 9028 -2173
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Brandenburg
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes) daily
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide
Online courses: Not accepted
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required, usually issued for a 2-year period. All campuses in the same country are accepted on one approval
Validity: usually issued for a 2-year period
Brandenburg
Ministerium für Bildung, Jugend und Sport
Lebenslanges Lernen, Weiterbildung, politische Bildung
Heinrich-Mann-Allee 107
14473 Potsdam
Fon: 0355/ 4866 -524
Fax: 0355/ 4866 -199
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Bremen
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 30 lessons (45 minutes) per week, in average 6 daily lessons (45 minutes)
Further requirements: Membership in a quality association required
Language courses: Only European languages accepted, worldwide. (For example English in Australia is acceptable, Arabic in Dubai is not allowed)
Online courses: online learning and hybrid courses
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required, sperate approvals for each level required.
Validity: 2-year period
Bremen
Die Senatorin für Bildung und Wissenschaft
Referat 23
Rembertiring 8-12
2
8195 Bremen
Fon: 0421 361-9 68 75 oder 361-67 85
Fax: 0421 496-9 68 75
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Hamburg
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes) daily
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide
Online courses: Acceptable if there is interaction between teachers and participants and attendance can be proven.
Accepting approvals from other states: Yes, § 15 Hamburgisches Bildungsurlaubsgesetz
Ministry fees: Yes, currently € 92 (2024) for 3 years
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course are required, separate approvals for each level required.
Validity: 3 years from the date of the approval
Hamburg
Behörde für Schule und Berufsbildung
Amt für Weiterbildung W24 – Referat Bildungsurlaub
Dammtorstr. 14
20354 Hamburg
Fon: 040 42823 -4825
Fax: 040 42796 -9406
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Hessen (Hesse)
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 30 hours (60 minutes) per week, in average 6 hours a day
Further requirements: 20% of political and cultural topics must be included, individual lessons are not accepted
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide.
Online courses: Acceptable if there is interaction between teachers and participants and attendance can be proven.
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course are required,
Validity: 2 years
Hessen
Hessisches Sozialministerium – Referat III 5
Tarifwesen, Arbeitsrecht, Arbeitnehmerweiterbildung
Dostojewskistraße 4
65187 Wiesbaden
Fon: 0611 817 -3673
Fax: 0611 89084 -906
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Mecklenburg Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 40 lessons (45 minutes) per week, minimum 8 lessons a day
Further requirements: Language course must serve the purpose of professional development and must be tailor made for the particular profession
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required
Validity: 2-year period
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Erich-Schlesinger-Str. 35
18059 Rostock
Fon: 0381 122 -2994
Fax: 0381 122 -2995
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 40 lessons (45 minutes) per week, minimum 8 lessons a day
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required
Validity: 2-year period until 31.12.
Niedersachsen
Agentur für Erwachsenen und Weiterbildung
Bödekerstr. 18
30161 Hannover
Fon: 0511 300330 -29
Fax: 0511 300330 -40
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Nordrhein Westfalen (Northrhine-Westphalia)
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 30 lessons (45 minutes) per week, minimum 6 lessons a day
Further requirements: ISO9001 certificate
Language courses: All languages courses are accepted. However, the venue must not be more than 500 km from the state border of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required
Validity:
Nordrhein Westfalen
Bezirksregierung Detmold
Dezernat 48
Leopoldstraße 13
32756 Detmold
Fon: 05231 71 -4842
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Rheinland Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 30 lessons (45 minutes) per week, in average 6 daily lessons (45 minutes)
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide.
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required. All campuses are accepted on one approval.
Validity: 2-year period
Rheinland-Pfalz
Ministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Jugend und Kultur
Referat 1547
Mittlere Bleiche 61
55116 Mainz
Fon: 06131 / 162 -958
Fax: 06131 / 165 -466
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Saarland
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 30 lessons (45 minutes) per week, in average 6 daily lessons (45 minutes)
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide.
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: None
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required. All campuses are accepted on one approval.
Validity: 2-year period
Saarland
Ministerium für Bildung – Referat D 7
Hohenzollernstraße 60
66117 Saarbrücken
Fon: 0681 501 -7214
Fax: 0681 501 -7548
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Sachsen Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt)
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: At least 6 daily lessons (45 minutes)
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide.
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: € 26
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required.
Validity: The very first approval is valid for 12 months, renewals will be valid for a 2-year period
Sachsen-Anhalt
Landesverwaltungsamt Sachsen-Anhalt
Referat 505
Olvenstedter Straße 1-2
39108 Magdeburg
Fon: 0391 567 -2430
Fax: 0391 567 -5808
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Sachsen Anhalt (Saxony)
Entitlement: No Bildungsurlaub regulations in place
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Schleswig Holstein
Entitlement: 5 days every year, entitlement of 2 years may be combined
Number of lessons: 7 hours (60 minutes) daily including breaks of up to 1,5 hours
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted, worldwide.
Online courses: Yes
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: € 69
Approval: Separate approvals for a 5- and 10-day course required, sperate approvals for each level required. Up to 3 school destinations in the same country can be added
Validity: 2-year period
Schleswig-Holstein
Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH)
Bereich Arbeitsmarktförderung / Bildungsfreistellung
Fleethörn 29-31
24103 Kiel
Fon: 0431 9905 -1111
Homepage Ministry
Requirements Bildungsurlaub Thüringen
Entitlement: 5 days every year
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes)
Further requirements: None
Language courses: All languages accepted for institutes based within the EU
Online courses:
Accepting approvals from other states: No
Ministry fees: € 25 – € 150
Approval:
Validity: Indefinitely
Thüringen
Thüringer Ministerium für Bildung, Jugend und Sport
Postfach 900463
99107 Erfurt
Fon: 0361 37 -900
Fax: 0361 37 -94690
Homepage Ministry
Why use the service of Bildungsurlaub-Approval?
Why use the service of Bildungsurlaub-Approval?
- professional handling of your documents and approvals
- time saving for your school admin staff
- online training of school administration staff regarding handling of Bildungsurlaub
- attracting new clients for Bildungsurlaub through our webpage
- use of the „Bildungsurlaub approved“ logo
- fair, transparent pricing
- all your documents securely filed in one place
- creating the documents for your clients easily in our log in area
What can you do on the the educator access page?
- you can find all official Bildungsurlaub documents in our download center
- you find prepared documents, which your clients require for Bildungsurlaub
- you can upload all your documents (time table, teacher certificates, etc.) and approvals in our upload center, so you always have all the documents needed in one secured place
- you have access to our instruction videos
- download the „Bildungsurlaub approved logo“ and other marketing support
- chat online with us and take part in discussion groups with other educators