Sabbatical leave is a long, unpaid vacation from work. People usually take a sabbatical to travel, study, relax, or work on personal projects.
This guide shows you how to take a sabbatical in Germany.
Option 1: Working time account
A working time account (Wertguthaben) lets your employer save part of your salary while you work, and keep paying you during your sabbatical. It’s a really good deal.
For example, your employer saves 20% of your salary for 4 years. Then you take 1 year off. During your year off, you get paid 80% of your salary. In other words, instead of getting paid 4 × 100% of your salary, you get paid 5 × 80%.
Benefits of a working time account:
- You keep your job, your salary and your benefits
You keep your job. Your employer still pays your salary, half of your health insurance, your pension insurance and your unemployment insurance, so you save a lot of money. At the end of your sabbatical, you get your job back. You keep your salary and your seniority at this company. - You keep your residence permit
The work visa and the Blue Card are tied to your job. You must keep your job to keep your residence permit. With the working time account, you keep your job, so that’s not a problem. - You pay less income tax
You pay less income tax on 5 × 80% of your salary than on 4 × 100% of your salary. If you have a €50,000 salary, you save around €5,200 in income tax. – Calculate your income tax.
Disadvantages:
- It takes more time
You must wait before you take your sabbatical. For example, you might need to save for 4 years to take 1 year off. If you want to take a sabbatical soon, this does not work.
How to start a working time account
Talk to your human resources department. They will tell you if they have such a program at your company. Each company has different rules. Most companies do not offer working time accounts.
Option 2: Unpaid leave
The second best option is unpaid leave (unbezahlter Urlaub).
In these situations, you have the right to take unpaid leave:1
- Unexpected emergencies
- Parental leave (Elternzeit)
- Taking care of your children under 12 years old
- Taking care of a sick family member
- Certain volunteer activities
- If your work contract gives you the right to unpaid leave
In other situations, your employer can refuse to let you take unpaid leave.2
Benefits of unpaid leave:
- You keep your job
You can return to your job after your sabbatical. If you must keep your job to keep your residence permit, this is important.
Disadvantages:
- You lose your salary and benefits
Your employer does not pay your salary or any benefits. After 1 month, you must pay for your own health insurance.3 You will pay the same tariff as unemployed people. Calculate it yourself. If your spouse or your parents have public health insurance, they can cover you for free.4 - You keep your job
You are still employed with the same company. You can’t start a competing business or work for the competition.
How to take unpaid leave
- Read your work contract. You might have the right to unpaid leave.
- Look if other employees have taken unpaid leave. You have the right to the same treatment as your co-workers. If they took unpaid leave, you can do it too.5
- Talk to your manager and your human resources department. You must plan this together.
Option 3: Reduce your hours
In Germany, you have the right to work fewer hours. You can reduce your work hours temporarily or permanently. For example, you can work 30 hours per week or 4 days per week.
You can reduce your hours if…
Usually, the reduction is permanent. If you want to work more hours later, your employer can refuse. If your company has more than 45 employees, you can temporarily reduce your working hours for 1 to 5 years.14 This is called Brückenteilzeit.
Your employer can’t punish you for reducing your work hours. For example, if there are layoffs at your company, they can’t fire you before other employees.
Benefits of reduced hours:
- You keep your salary and benefits
You still have a job, health insurance, unemployment insurance, a public pension, vacations and sick leave.
Disadvantages:
- You get paid less
For example, if you work 25% less, you also earn 25% less.12 - It’s not always reversible
If you reduce your hours, you can’t always get them back later. Your employer can refuse to give you more work.11 If your company has over 45 employees, you can temporarily reduce your hours, and resume full-time work later. This is called Brückenteilzeit.
To reduce your hours, you must…
- Send a request
Ask by letter or email at least 3 months before you start reducing your work hours.6 Your request must include the start and duration of your reduced work hours. It can explain your desired schedule.8 You don’t need to give a reason. - Wait for your employer’s response
Your employer must reply in writing. Your employer can refuse to reduce your hours if it “significantly impairs” the business. If they refuse, they must give a clear explanation.13 If they don’t responded 1 month before your desired start date, your work hours are reduced anyway.9 - Sign an agreement with your employer
Option 4: Quit your job
If your employer does not help you take a sabbatical, you can quit your job.
Disadvantages of quitting your job:
- You must pay for your own health insurance
Your employer does not pay for half of your health insurance. You pay the same tariff as unemployed people. Calculate it yourself. If your spouse or your parents have public health insurance, they can cover you for free. - You might lose your residence permit
The work visa and the Blue Card are tied to your job. After a few months without a job, you must leave Germany. - You need a job when you return
After your sabbatical, you can try to get your old job back, but it’s not guaranteed to work. You might need to find a new job.
How to quit your job in Germany
Alternatives to a sabbatical
If you want to take a short vacation, use your vacation days. All employees get vacation days.
If you need time off because of your mental health, get a sick note, and take sick leave.
If you want to get training for your job, take a Bildungsurlaub. It’s a paid vacation to improve your skills.
Sources and footnotes
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hensche.de (March 2026), § 7 Abs. 3 TzBfG ⤴
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§ 8 Abs. 2 TzBfG, hensche.de (March 2026) ⤴
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hensche.de (March 2026) ⤴
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arbeitsrechtsiegen.de (March 2026) ⤴