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New from 1 January 2027

Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) in Lower Saxony

From 1 January 2027, in Lower Saxony you are entitled under the Niedersächsisches Bildungszeitgesetz (NBildZG) 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 no later than 8 weeks before the course starts.

From 1 January 2027 a new law applies in Lower Saxony (NBildZG). For courses until 31 December 2026 the previous one still applies (NBildUG): apply as a rule 4 weeks before the start. What changes ↓

Compiled by Bildungszeit from the statute · Law read on 27 September 2026 · Last updated 24 October 2026 · Spotted a mistake? Write to us

Your entitlement from 1 January 2027

5working days per calendar year

Waiting period
6 months
Notice period
8 weeks
No reply
deemed approved, not in every case*

Under the Niedersächsisches Bildungszeitgesetz (NBildZG)

* Does not apply in every case. Details under the §.

What changes for Bildungsurlaub in Lower Saxony in 2027?

From 1 January 2027 the NBildZG applies in Lower Saxony instead of the NBildUG. Which law applies to you depends on when your course starts.

Courses until 31 December 2026 NBildUGCourses from 1 January 2027 NBildZG
The law calls itCourses until 31 December 2026 BildungsurlaubCourses from 1 January 2027 new Bildungszeit
Notice periodCourses until 31 December 2026 as a rule 4 weeks before the start
Courses from 1 January 2027 new no later than 8 weeks before the start § 4 Abs. 1 NBildZG
Automatic approvalCourses until 31 December 2026 no reply by 2 weeks before the start*
Courses from 1 January 2027 new no reply by 4 weeks before the start* § 4 Abs. 4 NBildZG

Unchanged: Entitlement (5 working days per calendar year) · Waiting period (6 months) · Combining (with the following year, up to 10 days).

* Does not apply in every case. Details under the §.

How to get your Bildungsurlaub in Lower Saxony

  1. from month 7

    You are entitled

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

    § 2 Abs. 5 NBildZG
  2. Course

    A course recognized in Lower Saxony

    Each course is recognized individually.

  3. 8 weeks before

    Apply no later than 8 weeks before the start

    If your course starts on 1 March 2027, hand in your application before 4 January 2027.

    § 4 Abs. 1 NBildZG
  4. Reply

    Your employer replies

    If your employer doesn't reject it in the required form by 4 weeks before the course starts, the request is deemed approved, provided you notified your employer of your participation at least eight weeks before the course starts, in text form and naming the educational event.Automatic approval no reply by 4 weeks before the start*

    * Does not apply in every case. Details under the §.

    § 4 Abs. 4 NBildZG

    If your employer doesn't reject it in the required form by 4 weeks before the course starts, the request is deemed approved, provided you notified your employer of your participation at least eight weeks before the course starts, in text form and naming the educational event.

  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 4 January 2027

What else applies in Lower Saxony?

Who is entitled in Lower Saxony?

Covered: employees, trainees, home workers, sheltered workshop employees, employee-like persons, civil servants, and judges.

Does this apply in small businesses too?

The NBildZG makes no exception for small businesses.

Can I save up days or combine them?

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

    § 3 Abs. 4 Satz 1 NBildZG§ 3 Abs. 4 Satz 2 NBildZG

Recognized courses in Lower Saxony

All 17 courses for Lower Saxony →

More questions about Bildungsurlaub

Bildungsurlaub in the other states