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Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) in Berlin

In Berlin you are entitled under the Berliner Bildungszeitgesetz (BiZeitG) to 5 working days of Bildungsurlaub per calendar year, paid and on top of your annual leave. The law calls it Bildungszeit. You apply to your employer as a rule 6 weeks before the course starts.

Compiled by Bildungszeit from the statute · Law read on 31 August 2026 · Last updated 24 October 2026 · Spotted a mistake? Write to us

Your entitlement

5working days per calendar year

Waiting period
6 months
Notice period
usually 6 weeks
No reply
deemed approved

Under the Berliner Bildungszeitgesetz (BiZeitG)

How to get your Bildungsurlaub in Berlin

  1. from month 7

    You are entitled

    As soon as you have worked for your employer for 6 months. Renewed every calendar year.

    § 3 BiZeitG
  2. Course

    A course recognized in Berlin

    Each course is recognized individually.

  3. 6 weeks before

    Apply as a rule 6 weeks before the start

    If your course starts on 1 March 2027, hand in your application before 18 January 2027.

  4. Reply

    Your employer replies

    If your employer doesn't reject it within 2 weeks, the request is deemed approved.

  5. Course week

    You take part

    On full pay, on top of your annual leave.

When does my application have to be in?

Hand in your application to your employer before 18 January 2027

What else applies in Berlin?

Who is entitled in Berlin?

Covered: employees, trainees, home workers, employee-like persons, and integration measures (disability).

Not covered: civil servants, soldiers, and judges.

Does this apply in small businesses too?

In companies with no more than 20 employees, § 4 Abs. 4 BiZeitG adds a quota limit. It takes effect only together with the company size: your request can fail on it once the quota named there has also been reached in the company.

Can I save up days or combine them?

  • Carry-over: only after a refusal, into the next year

  • Combining: with the following year, up to 10 days

Recognized courses in Berlin

All 10 courses for Berlin →

More questions about Bildungsurlaub

Bildungsurlaub in the other states