NRW · 5 days per year
Apply for educational leave in North Rhine-Westphalia
NRW grants five days of employee further education per year. The application must reach the employer at least six weeks before the start.
Important notice
Distance rule: under § 5 AWbG NRW there is no statutory entitlement for events held more than 500 km from the state border. For Gran Canaria, participation is only possible with the employer's voluntary consent.
State rules
What applies in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Entitlement
- 5 days per year
- Notice period
- 6 weeks before the start
- Legal basis
- Employee Further Education Act NRW (AWbG)
- Who may apply
- After six months with the employer. Very small companies may refuse under specific conditions.
How to apply
Step by step to educational leave
In your federal state the application is due 6 weeks before the start.
Check your entitlement
Confirm whether your federal state has an educational-leave law and whether you have completed the required waiting period with your employer.
Choose a recognised course
Select a seminar recognised in your federal state — for example a retreat on Gran Canaria.
6 weeks before
Apply 6 weeks before the start
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the written application usually needs to reach the employer 6 weeks before the seminar starts.
Wait for release from work
Your employer reviews the request. Refusal is only possible in narrow statutory exceptions.
Seminar week
Attend the seminar
You attend the seminar days. Your salary continues — and the break from stress begins.
Afterwards
Submit the certificate of attendance
After the course, submit the certificate to your employer and keep it for your tax return.
Frequently asked questions
Educational leave in this federal state
- How many days of educational leave are available in North Rhine-Westphalia?
- 5 days per year
- What application deadline applies in North Rhine-Westphalia?
- 6 weeks before the start
- What is the legal basis in North Rhine-Westphalia?
- Employee Further Education Act NRW (AWbG)
- Who is eligible for educational leave in North Rhine-Westphalia?
- After six months with the employer. Very small companies may refuse under specific conditions.
Next step
Check your entitlement
Choose your federal state to see deadlines, days, and specifics — including a clear warning if no law applies.