Sabbatical, what it means and how to apply for it

All you need to know about a sabbatical year. – Do you feel like taking a break from work and doing what you love most? Maybe go off for a whole year to discover the world.

Have you ever heard of a gap year? It is basically a break from work and in this section, we will briefly explain what it is and how to request it (from your employer).

Sabbatical year

A sabbatical, or gap year, is a period of interruption in your working career, a time to devote yourself to a particular activity or to fulfil a desire such as writing a book or travelling. In some countries, this break from work is protected by law.

You can use your sabbatical to take a break from work or study, travel, learn a foreign language, graduate and volunteer, and then return to work much more motivated.

How to ask for a sabbatical year?

If you are interested in requesting a gap year, you will have to present a project that shows in detail the reasons for your request and the advantages that the company could gain from it.

Who can apply for a sabbatical year?

All employees, whether in the public or private sector, are eligible.  The company can deny the leave or postpone it to another date, depending on its technical and organisational needs.

How can you finance yourself during a gap year?

The sabbatical year can last 12 months, is usually unpaid and can only be taken once in a lifetime. During the sabbatical, usually, you won’t have any pension contributions and will not accumulate holiday or illness leaves.

Many sabbatical travellers support themselves by engaging in volunteering projects around the world.

What to do during your sabbatical?

You can travel backpacking, take one of the world’s most beautiful road trips, or a tour around the world. You can also move to a new country, or you can rely on volunteer programs around the world.

Where to go?

You can go wherever your heart desires. However, choosing a country is really important, especially to understand the laws of residence, the conditions of residence abroad, social security and the health system.

Are you still paid while on a sabbatical year?

A gap year is a leave of absence from work during which you are usually not entitled to receive any payment. However, every country has different laws.

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