Would you like to improve your professional skills while working? In an ever-changing job market, staying up to date is not just recommended; it is essential for professional growth.

If you work in Germany, this is possible thanks to Bildungsurlaub, also known as Bildungszeit. This educational leave allows you to combine your job with language courses, personal development or professional training.

In this guide, you will discover how to make the most of it, who can apply for it and how to turn every day of learning into a competitive advantage.

What is Bildungsurlaub and why should you take advantage of it?

Bildungsurlaub is an employment right that gives workers 5 days of educational leave per year in most German federal states.

Está diseñado para que los empleados puedan aprovechar días libres remunerados para cursos de formación, idiomas o desarrollo personal, sin que su salario se vea afectado.

More than just a benefit, it is a strategic tool to boost your career and stay up to date in the world of work.

Main benefits of Bildungsurlaub

Paid learning: You can take part in courses and workshops without giving up your job.
Professional and personal growth: You can improve your skills in languages, digital abilities, leadership and more.
Flexibility: You can organise your training in a way that fits around your working hours and personal needs.

Who can apply for Bildungsurlaub?

To benefit from this right, certain legal requirements must be met:

Be employed in Germany, either full-time or part-time.
Have a minimum length of service with the company, usually six months.
Enrol on courses officially recognised by the authorities of the relevant federal state.

El permiso suele ser entre 5 y 10 días al año, pero pueden variar según la normativa estatal y tu contrato laboral.

For exact details and approved courses, check the official website before planning your training.

How to apply for Bildungsurlaub: step-by-step guide

Requesting your educational leave is straightforward if you follow these steps:

Choose an officially recognised course. Check the official list of recognised courses in your federal state. Españolé is a certified Bildungsurlaub school in all of these regions: Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Niedersachsen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein.
Solicítalo a tu empleador. Make sure you do this 6–8 weeks in advance.
Confirm and submit the documentation. Your employer will check that you meet the requirements and approve your leave.
Enjoy the course. Attend the training on the authorised days. Many courses offer face-to-face and online options, making it easier to fit them around your working hours.

Why study Spanish with your Bildungsurlaub?

Using your Bildungsurlaub to study Spanish offers practical and personal benefits that go far beyond theory.

Improve your professional profile

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is increasingly valued by international companies. Learning it allows you to add a key language skill to your CV, open up new career opportunities and stand out from other candidates.

Flexibility: face-to-face, hybrid or online

Spanish courses with Bildungsurlaub offer options adapted to your needs:

Hybrid: Combine online classes with face-to-face sessions in Spain if you decide to travel.
Face-to-face in Spain: Cultural immersion while you learn.
Online: Learn from Germany and organise your timetable around your work.

Practical and communicative learning

Españolé’s Spanish courses for Bildungsurlaub focus on everyday communication: you will learn useful vocabulary, grammar and business Spanish through interactive methods that make it easier to retain the language.

An investment in your personal development

Learning a new language during your Bildungsurlaub also brings personal benefits: it increases your confidence, improves your communication skills and motivates you to continue training throughout your career.

Frequently asked questions about Bildungsurlaub

Who is entitled to apply for Bildungsurlaub in Germany?

All full-time or part-time employees who meet the minimum required length of service with their company, usually six months, can apply for this leave. They must enrol on courses officially recognised by the federal state where they work.

What types of courses can you take with Bildungsurlaub?

You can take language courses, digital skills training, leadership courses, personal development programmes and any officially approved training that contributes to your professional or personal development.

How many days of Bildungsurlaub can I take per year?

This depends on the federal state where you work, usually between 5 and 10 days. For exact details and approved courses, it is always advisable to check your state’s official website.

How does Bildungsurlaub affect my contract or salary?

During Bildungsurlaub, your salary continues as if you were working. It does not affect your holiday entitlement or your contract, as long as you follow the correct application steps.

Can I use Bildungsurlaub for online or distance learning?

Yes, many recognised courses allow you to combine face-to-face and online classes, offering flexibility for employees with busy schedules.

Why Españolé is the perfect choice for your Bildungsurlaub

Now that you know what Bildungsurlaub is and how to apply for it, it is time for the most exciting part: choosing your Spanish course. At Españolé, we want to make that decision simple and help you make the most of your educational leave.

The Españolé experience: designed with you in mind

At Españolé, everything, from our methodology to our support services, is designed to help you get the most out of your Bildungsurlaub:

Native-speaker teachers. Our teachers are native speakers with extensive academic experience. Classes are interactive and focus on putting Spanish into practice in real-life situations. For Bildungsurlaub courses, we also offer hybrid options, combining online classes with face-to-face sessions in Spain if you decide to come.
Academic guidance and certification. If you want to prepare your Bildungsurlaub application and enrol on our training programme Bildungszeit for Spanish, with different course options for adults aged 30+, 40+ or 50+, our team supports you throughout the process. We help you with documentation, enrolment and exam preparation, making sure your training experience runs smoothly.

You may also be interested in: SIELE or DELE Spanish certification: what are the main differences?

What do our students think?

I used my Bildungsurlaub to learn Spanish. I started with the hybrid course from Germany and then spent a few weeks in Valencia. The classes are very practical, and the teachers and cultural activities are very enjoyable. My Spanish has improved a lot and I feel more confident using it at work. – Max, Alemania

Flexibility and personalised attention. Small class sizes, one-to-one tutorials and tailored lessons ensure German students make the most of their Bildungsurlaub, whether in a hybrid or face-to-face format.
Guaranteed trust and quality. Españolé is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and is a member of International House and IALC, ensuring the highest quality standards. Our students report rapid progress, strong cultural connections and the confidence to continue learning Spanish.

Ready to study Spanish in Valencia?

Using your Bildungsurlaub to study Spanish in Spain goes far beyond signing up for a course. To make the most of it, you need practical skills, confidence and the ability to communicate in everyday situations.

That is where Españolé makes the difference. Our Spanish courses, designed for German students using their Bildungsurlaub, are created to help you learn effectively and enjoy the experience.

Whether your goal is to improve your Spanish for work, further study or simply personal growth, our team supports you every step of the way. Not sure which Spanish course with Bildungsurlaub is right for you? Contact us!