On 24 March, the Austrian parliament voted to suspend educational leave as of 31 March 2025. Negotiations to redesign the scheme, which the government wants to be cheaper and more efficient, began the same day. However, this abrupt move, with no replacement or extension of the scheme, leaves many employees in a difficult position.
After multiple about-turns and lengthy negotiations to define its programme for government, Austria’s new tripartite coalition (conservatives, social democrats and liberals) got down to work. On 24 March, the deputies of the National Council, the lower house of parliament, adopted the law on measures to consolidate the 2025 budget. Among other things, this provides for the end of educational leave as of 31 March 2025.
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Article authors
Thomas Schnee
Correspondent in Germany
As a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.