You work in Austria and want to start or complete a degree? Then educational leave (Bildungskarenz) is one of the best ways to free up time for it. You receive a continuing education allowance from the AMS (Austrian Public Employment Service) and can fully concentrate on your studies. But there are rules you need to know.
What Is Educational Leave (Bildungskarenz)?
Bildungskarenz is an agreement between you and your employer. You are released from work for 2 to 12 months. During this time, you receive a continuing education allowance (Weiterbildungsgeld) from the AMS. This corresponds to the amount of unemployment benefit you would be entitled to. Your job is kept for you.
Educational leave can also be taken in parts, for example 3 months now and 3 months in the next semester. Within a 4-year period, you are entitled to a total of 12 months.
Requirements for Educational Leave
Not everyone can apply for educational leave. There are clear requirements:
- 6 months of continuous employment with your current employer (for fixed-term contracts: 3 months)
- Consent from your employer (there is no legal entitlement)
- At least 20 hours per week of verifiable continuing education
- The educational measure must be professionally relevant or a degree at a recognised university
The point about 20 hours per week is critical. The AMS checks this. You need a confirmation from your university about the weekly workload. Distance learning programmes with sufficient ECTS volume usually meet this requirement without any problem.
Good to know
The 20 hours per week refer to the total learning workload, not just contact hours. Self-study, online lectures, assignments, and exam preparation all count. Most distance learning modules require 25 to 30 hours per ECTS credit.
Continuing Education Allowance: How Much Do You Receive?
The continuing education allowance corresponds to the notional unemployment benefit. This is typically 55 percent of your last net income. The minimum amount is around 14.53 euros per day (as of 2024). Payment is made monthly by the AMS.
Important: during educational leave, you are permitted to earn a marginal amount on the side. The current marginal earnings threshold is 518.44 euros per month (2024). This gives you some financial flexibility.
How to Apply for Educational Leave
The process is clearly structured:
- Step 1: Secure your study place and obtain a confirmation of the weekly workload
- Step 2: Reach an agreement with your employer (in writing)
- Step 3: Submit the application to the AMS, ideally 4 to 6 weeks before the start date
- Step 4: Begin your educational leave and regularly provide the AMS with evidence of your continuing education
Educational Part-Time as an Alternative
You do not want to step away from your job entirely? Then educational part-time (Bildungsteilzeit) is an option. You reduce your working hours by 25 to 50 percent and receive an educational part-time allowance from the AMS for the difference. The model runs for 4 months to 2 years and is suited for part-time study programmes.
The advantage: you stay active in your job and still have significantly more study time. The downside: the bureaucratic effort is somewhat higher, because the change in working hours must be precisely agreed with your employer.
Common Mistakes with Educational Leave
- Applying too late: The AMS needs lead time. Anyone who submits their application 2 weeks before the start of their programme risks delays in payment.
- Forgetting the workload confirmation: Without a confirmation from your university about the 20 weekly hours, the application will be rejected.
- Not involving your employer: Educational leave requires your employer's consent. Bring it up early and plan together.
- Choosing the wrong programme: Not every programme meets the AMS criteria. Check beforehand whether your degree programme is recognised as an educational measure.
Conclusion
Educational leave for studying is a powerful instrument for everyone working in Austria who wants to pursue further education. Up to 12 months of paid leave, your job is kept for you, and you can fully concentrate on your studies. If you want to know which study programmes are suitable and what the consultation process looks like, book a free initial consultation.