In March 2025, the Austrian National Council sealed the end of state funding for educational leave (Bildungskarenz) and part-time educational leave (Bildungsteilzeit). The costs had simply spiralled out of control: from around EUR 236 million in 2019 to almost EUR 650 million in 2024. The main criticism was that educational leave was frequently used as an “extension of parental leave” and that the training courses chosen did not always serve a professional purpose.
The long-announced successor model has now finally arrived: The AMSG Amendment 2025 (Federal Law Gazette I 2025/76) introduces a new training allowance (Weiterbildungsbeihilfe), which is expected to be available for applications from 8 June 2026.
What Is Changing?
The new allowance is significantly less attractive than the previous model:
- The amount is based on an income-dependent tiered model and ranges between EUR 41.49 and EUR 59.31 per day (2026 values).
- The budget is capped at EUR 150 million per year – less than a quarter of the previous costs!
- Employers must contribute 15% towards the allowance for higher-income employees.
Important: Once the annual budget is exhausted, no further allowances will be granted!
This is arguably the most critical aspect of the new regulation: The training allowance is only granted as long as budget funds are available. Those who meet all the requirements but apply too late will receive nothing.
👉 Practical tip for employers: Explicitly inform employees who are seeking educational leave or part-time educational leave about this risk and include this notice in the agreement on the training period to be concluded. In particular, it should be regulated whether the educational leave or part-time educational leave shall also apply if the employee does not receive the training allowance.
Requirements for the Training Allowance
- Agreement on educational leave or part-time educational leave with the employer (Sec. 11 et sequ. AVRAG)
- 12 months of continuous unemployment-insurance-covered employment with the current employer (after a master’s or diploma degree: at least 4 years)
- No receipt of childcare allowance or maternity pay during the last 26 weeks before the start of training
- Training measure of at least 2 months with a minimum of 20 hours per week (for part-time educational leave: 4 months, 10 hours per week)
- For students: 20/10 ECTS credits must be verified per semester during educational leave/part-time educational leave (reduced requirements apply for childcare up to the child’s 7th birthday)
- The training must be labour-market-relevant and transferable beyond the current employer
Duration of Benefits and Social Insurance
The allowance can be drawn for a maximum of one year within a four-year period (for part-time training leave: two years). During the period of receipt, employees remain covered by health, pension, and accident insurance.
Side Employment and Employer Top-Ups
Marginal side employment as well as voluntary employer top-ups up to the marginal earnings threshold remain permissible.