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Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) in Saarland

In Saarland you are entitled under the Saarländisches Bildungsfreistellungsgesetz (SBFG) to 5 working days of Bildungsurlaub per calendar year, paid and on top of your annual leave. The law calls it Bildungsfreistellung. You apply to your employer no later than 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
6 weeks
No reply
deemed approved, not in every case*

Under the Saarländisches Bildungsfreistellungsgesetz (SBFG)

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

How to get your Bildungsurlaub in Saarland

  1. from month 7

    You are entitled

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

    § 3 Abs. 2 SBFG
  2. Course

    A course recognized in Saarland

    Each course is recognized individually. 5 days per calendar year (only vocational or political training or training for a voluntary activity or a public-interest activity that is undertaken freely and unpaid)

  3. 6 weeks before

    Apply no later than 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 communicate a decision by 2 weeks before the course starts, the request is deemed approved; in workplaces with fewer than ten employees, an oral communication of the decision by then is also sufficient.Automatic approval no reply by 2 weeks before the start*

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

    If your employer doesn't communicate a decision by 2 weeks before the course starts, the request is deemed approved; in workplaces with fewer than ten employees, an oral communication of the decision by then is also sufficient.

  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 Saarland?

Who is entitled in Saarland?

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

5 days per calendar year (only vocational or political training or training for a voluntary activity or a public-interest activity that is undertaken freely and unpaid)

Does this apply in small businesses too?

In companies with fewer than 10 employees, § 5 Abs. 3 SBFG 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?

  • Combining: with consent, for longer courses

Recognized courses in Saarland

All 12 courses for Saarland →

More questions about Bildungsurlaub

Bildungsurlaub in the other states