Bildungsurlaub
What is Bildungsurlaub?
Bildungsurlaub, or “educational leave,” is a German government program that allows employees to take up to five paid days each year (or ten every two years) for professional development.
Through Tico Lingo, participants can use this time to advance their Spanish skills in Costa Rica while studying at an accredited language school recognized for academic quality and cultural immersion.
The Benefits of Learning
Spanish with Bildungsurlaub
Learning Spanish with Tico Lingo through Bildungsurlaub lets you grow professionally while experiencing Costa Rica’s rich culture. You’ll return home with stronger communication skills, greater cultural awareness, and an official certificate of achievement that adds value to your career.
Gain a Professional Edge
Spanish is one of the most valuable languages in today’s global economy, and mastering it with Tico Lingo gives you an edge that goes far beyond grammar. Through small-group classes, personalized instruction, and real-world communication, you’ll build confidence to use Spanish in any professional setting. Employers value cross-cultural competence, and your time in Costa Rica shows initiative, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to growth.
Live the Language
At Tico Lingo, students live Spanish every day. Through homestay experiences, cultural workshops, and daily conversations with locals, they learn to communicate naturally and think in Spanish. The classroom is only the beginning. Whether bargaining at a local market, taking a dance class, or exploring the rainforest, every moment becomes a lesson in real-life communication and connection.
Get Paid to Grow
Invest in your professional and personal development without sacrificing your salary or vacation time. Spend your educational leave surrounded by Costa Rica’s natural beauty while improving your Spanish every day. Our accredited programs meet official Bildungsurlaub standards, ensuring that your time abroad is both recognized and rewarding. You’ll return home refreshed, more confident, and equipped with new skills that make you stand out in your career.
Broaden Your World
This is more than an academic experience! It’s an adventure that opens your eyes to a new culture and way of life. Discover the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality, explore vibrant Heredia and its nearby mountains, and take part in excursions that blend learning with exploration. Every experience strengthens your understanding of the world and fuels a lifelong love for cultural exchange.
- Accredited
- Not Accredited
Who is Eligible for Bildungsurlaub?
To qualify for Bildungsurlaub at Tico Lingo, participants enroll in our Super Intensive Spanish Program. This full-immersion course runs Monday through Friday and includes 30 hours of instruction each week. Morning sessions focus on interactive classroom learning, while afternoon sessions emphasize conversation practice. It is the most effective way to make real progress in your Spanish while experiencing life in Costa Rica.
Bildungsurlaub is a legal right for employees in 14 of Germany’s 16 federal states (not available in Saxony or Bavaria). Most employees qualify as long as their company is based in an eligible state and the program meets the state’s official requirements.
Bildungsurlaub Requirements
The specific requirements and documentation needed for a Bildungsurlaub language program vary by German state. We encourage you to review the details for your state below or reach out to the Tico Lingo team for personalized guidance. Our staff is happy to help you prepare everything needed to have your course approved.
Leave entitlement: 5 days every year
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 12 months with employer
Number of lessons: 30 hours (60 minutes) per week, in average 6 hours a day
Online courses: Hybrid courses are accepted, if face-to-face predominates
Application deadlines: 9+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years).
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes+) per day
Online courses: Not accepted
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years).
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes+) per day
Online courses: Not accepted
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years).
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 30 hours (45 minutes) per week, average 6 lessons a day.
Online courses: Online and hybrid courses accepted
Application deadlines: n/a
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years).
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (60 minutes) per day.
Online courses: Online courses accepted if there is interaction between teachers and participants and attendance can be proven.
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years)
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 30 hours (60 minutes) per week, in average 6 hours a day
Online courses: Online courses accepted if there is interaction between teachers and participants and attendance can be proven.
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years)
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 40 lessons (45 minutes) per week, minimum 8 lessons a day
Online courses: Yes
Application deadlines: 4+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years)
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 30 lessons (45 minutes) per week, in average 6 daily lessons
Online courses: Yes
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years)
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 30 lessons (45 minutes) per week, in average 6 daily lessons
Online courses: Yes
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Leave entitlement: 5 days a year (or 10 days combined over two years)
Eligibility criteria: Minimum 6 months with employer
Number of lessons: 6 lessons (45 minutes+) per day
Online courses: Yes
Application deadlines: 6+ weeks before course start date
Bildungsurlaub Quick Facts
Program Schedule
Mon-Fri
8am – 12pm and
3pm to 5pm
Academic Levels
Beginner to Advanced
(A1 to C1)
Program Duration
One or two weeks
30 hours per week
Class Size
No more than
six students per class
Are you ready?
Book a call today to begin planning your Bildungsurlaub Spanish immersion program at Tico Lingo!