Educational Leave Becomes Continuing Education Time: Eligibility, Changes & Study Tips

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 14.08.2025

Studying at university while working sounds ideal – but how do you pay for it? Many people dream about going back to school or starting a degree while working. But juggling everything can be quite challenging, especially when you rely on a regular income during that time.

Although educational leave and part-time study ended in April 2025, there’s good news: a new scheme called ‘continuing education time’ will start in 2026. In this post, we’ll explain what this means and how you can pay for your studies using things like educational leave, training allowances, and more.

Table of Content: 

What is Educational Leave and How Does It Differ from Educational Part-Time Employment?

Educational leave used to be a great opportunity to take a break from work for anywhere between two and twelve months to focus entirely on further education, with financial support from the AMS. Whether it was a course, a training program, or a university degree, the time could be used flexibly, and you could even study abroad and travel on the side.
How long you were released from work (or whether you were granted leave at all) was always something that had to be individually agreed upon with your employer.

Part-time education leave was a bit different because it offered a smaller financial support, but allowed you to keep working part-time while continuing your education.

Both of these models, however, were discontinued in April 2025. Starting in 2026, a new option called continuing education time will take their place.

New Educational Leave: The Most Important Changes at a Glance

The classic educational leave model came to an end in April 2025. Starting in early 2026, it will be replaced by a new system called Continuing Education Time. The goal is to reduce overall costs while offering more targeted support. Especially for people with lower formal education, parents, and those looking to change career paths. Here’s a quick overview of the most important changes:

  • Before: Educational Leave
  • Eligible after 6 months of employment
  • Part-time educational leave was possible
  • Minimum 8 ECTS credits per semester
  • Could be used directly after parental leave
  • Self-learning formats were often allowed
  • No mandatory counselling
  • Financial support based on unemployment benefits (minimum €14.53 per day)
  • New: Education Time (from 2026)
  • Now only after 12 months in the job
  • No more part-time model
  • Now 20 ECTS per semester (or 16 ECTS for people with caregiving responsibilities)
  • Now requires at least 26 weeks of employment in between
  • Now only structured formats like in-person seminars or live online classes – self-learning no longer qualifies
  • Now includes mandatory educational counselling and proof of progress
  • Now a fixed daily rate of €32

It’s also still possible to arrange an educational leave or part-time educational leave with your employer, but without any financial support from the state.

What Is Continuing Education Time and How Does It Work?

Starting January 1, 2026, the new Continuing Education Time officially replaces the former educational leave. But unfortunately it’s not quite as flexible as the old model.

With Continuing Education Time, you’ll still have the chance to take up to 12 months off from work (similar to what was possible under the previous system). However, there are now several new requirements you’ll need to meet (more on that in the next section). Pursuing a degree is still possible in principle. For example at a university, University of Applied Sciences (FH), or through distance learning, but your studies must clearly relate to your professional development.

So if you’re enrolling in a program that qualifies you for your current job or helps prepare you for the next step in your career, you’ll likely have a good chance of being approved for Continuing Education Time.  Provided you also meet all the other eligibility criteria.

Continuing Education Time Eligibility: Who Qualifies and What You Need to Know

Compared to the old educational leave model, the new Continuing Education Time comes with stricter rules. So, just picking a random course or casually signing up for an online class without proof of participation? Those days are over. If you want to receive educational training allowance, you’ll need to meet several important requirements, both related to your job and your chosen educational path:

  • At least 12 months of employment with the same employer
  • Mandatory educational counselling beforehand
  • Proof of at least 20 course hours per week or 20 ECTS credits per semester
     (or 16 ECTS if you have caregiving responsibilities) Important: If you don’t meet this requirement, you may have to repay the financial support.
  • Only live online or in-person formats are allowed – pure self-learning courses no longer qualify

How to Apply for Continuing Education Time: A Step-by-Step Guide

You want to pursue further education and take time off from work, without giving up your income completely? Then Continuing Education Time might be a great option for you starting in 2026. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Talk to your employer and get approval

Before you can apply for anything, you’ll need your employer’s permission. Just like the old educational leave model, Continuing Education Time is based on mutual agreement. So have the conversation early on and clarify whether, and for how long, your employer is willing to release you from work.

Tip: Come to the meeting prepared, with details about your planned education and how it will benefit you (and ideally the company, too).

Step 2: Mandatory educational counselling

Before submitting your application, you’ll need to attend a mandatory educational counselling session. Here, experts will help you assess whether your planned course or study program fits your career and the job market’s needs. These sessions usually take place at the AMS or at a certified counselling centre.

Exception: If your training is within your current field, you may be exempt from this step. In all other cases, it’s a required part of the application process.

Step 3: Organise proof of your course or study program

Once you’ve got the green light from your employer, you’ll need to provide documentation of your planned education. This might include:

  • A confirmation of enrolment at a university
  • A course schedule showing weekly hours
  • A breakdown of ECTS credits per semester

Important: Your program must include at least 20 hours per week or 20 ECTS credits per semester (16 ECTS if you have caregiving duties), with live online or in-person classes.

Step 4: Submit your application to the AMS: documents, deadlines, contact

Now it’s time to officially apply for educational leave through the AMS (Public Employment Service). You’ll need:

  • Your agreement with your employer
  • All required documents related to your course or studies

Important: The application must be submitted before your course begins, otherwise, you won’t receive any funding.

If your application is approved, you’ll receive educational training allowance. It is a fixed rate of €32 per day, which adds up to around €960 per month (as of 2025). But there’s no more education part-time funding. That means combining a part-time job with supported education is no longer possible. To avoid having to repay your grant, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Submit regular proof of progress (at least 20 ECTS credits per semester)
  • Attend only live online or in-person sessions
  • If you don’t meet these requirements, you may have to repay the financial support.

If your application is rejected, it is not the end of the world. Often, it fails due to formalities or missing documentation. In that case, you can file an appeal, propose an alternative training program, or go back to educational counselling and submit a new application.

Extra Tip: Additional Ways to Fund Your Studies in the UK or Abroad

Continuing Education Time  isn’t the only way to finance your studies. If you’re studying while working or have a low income, the following types of support might also help:

  • Scholarships: Self-supporter scholarship, scholarship for working students, merit-based scholarship
  • Grants: Study grant, family allowance (depending on your life situation and income)
  • Take out a student loan
  • Commuter allowance: If you regularly travel longer distances for your studies, you may be able to deduct travel costs for tax purposes.
  • Tax deductions: Many education-related expenses, from textbooks to laptops, can be claimed in your employee tax return and reimbursed. You can find more tax tips for students here!

You’ll find all the detailed information about these options in our blog on how to finance your studies!

Conclusion: Use Your Educational Opportunities and Get Financial Support

Even though a lot has changed with Continuing Education Time, your chance to continue your education remains. With the right plan, a suitable further education program, and good preparation, you can secure up to 12 months of financial support.

It’s important to get informed early, discuss everything with your employer, and get support through educational counselling. A degree program can also be an option, as long as it fits your professional development. You have more options than you might think, and it’s never too late to start studying!

For all the latest details and possible changes, the Federal Chancellery will keep you up to date.

FAQ: Your Questions About Educational Leave & Part-Time Education Answered

Educational leave was a flexible break from work for further education. Continuing education time is the new model starting in 2026, with stricter requirements but more targeted support.

No. Part-time education allowance was discontinued in April 2025.

You receive what’s called further training allowance – at least €32 per day (approx. €960 per month).

Yes, but only if the degree program is professionally relevant. You’ll need to attend educational counselling, and the program must be officially recognized.

You must complete at least 20 ECTS credits per semester and submit proof of progress. If you don’t meet the requirements, the money has to be repaid.

No. There must be at least 26 weeks of employment between parental leave and Continuing Education Time.

Yes. You can still arrange education leave or part-time education with your employer – but without financial support from the state

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