Special Leave for Moving – When Am I Eligible?

Moving takes time, planning, and often takes a toll on your nerves. Many people therefore ask themselves:
Am I entitled to special leave when I move, or do I have to use my regular vacation time for it?

The answer is: It depends.

There is no automatic legal entitlement to special leave when moving. However, in certain cases, such an entitlement may arise—depending on the employment contract, collective bargaining agreement, or individual circumstances.

Here you can find out when you are eligible for special leave, how many days you can take, and what you need to keep in mind.

Is there a legal right to special leave when moving?

As a general rule:
Under German labor law, there is no general legal entitlement to special leave for a personal move.

The legal basis is Section 616 of the German Civil Code (BGB). This provision states that employees may be granted paid leave under certain circumstances if they are temporarily unable to work for personal reasons. However, a move is only considered a valid reason if it is not of the employee’s own making and is absolutely necessary.

A voluntary move generally does not give rise to a claim.

When am I entitled to special leave when I move?

A claim may arise if the move:

• is initiated by the employer
  
  
• is necessary due to a transfer
  
  
• as part of a corporate relocation
  
  
• is governed by an employment contract or a collective bargaining agreement
  
  

In such cases, the move is considered a work-related event. In such cases, paid leave is often granted.

How many days of special leave are available when moving?

There is no uniform rule regarding the number of days.

The following are common in practice:

• 1 workday in the event of a relocation initiated by the employer
  
  
• rarely 2 days for longer distances
  
  

There is no automatic entitlement to several days.

In the case of employment relationships governed by collective bargaining agreements, the entitlement may be clearly defined. That is why it is always worth taking a look at:

• Employment Contract
  
  
• Collective bargaining agreement
  
  
• Company Agreement
  
  

Special leave or regular vacation—what applies when moving for personal reasons?

If you are moving for purely personal reasons—such as moving to a new apartment within the same city or for other personal reasons—you are generally not entitled to special leave.

In that case, you need to:

• take regular vacation leave
  
  
• Use up overtime
  
  
• or request unpaid leave
  
  

However, many employers are willing to be accommodating, especially when the move is due to family or other special circumstances.

Difference between vacation and special leave

Regular vacation:

• is intended for relaxation
  
  
• will be deducted from the annual leave entitlement
  
  

Special leave:

• is additional paid leave
  
  
• will not be deducted from annual leave
  
  
• is based on specific personal reasons
  
  

The key difference, then, lies in the circumstances and the legal basis under labor law.

Special leave for relocation in the public sector

In the public sector, the rules are generally more clearly defined.
Depending on the collective bargaining agreement, special leave may be granted for a relocation required for work-related reasons.

Private moves are generally not automatically taken into account here either.

How do I request special leave when moving?

If you want to check whether you are eligible for special leave when moving, follow these steps:

1. Check your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement
   
   
2. Talk to your employer early on
   
   
3. Explain the reason objectively
   
   
4. Submit the application in writing
   
   

A brief, informal message is usually sufficient. It is important to submit the application early.

Conclusion: Special leave for moving is not automatically granted

A legal entitlement to special leave for moving exists only in certain cases—particularly when the move is work-related. Personal moves do not normally entitle an employee to additional leave.

If you plan ahead, talk to your employer, and understand the terms of your contract, you can avoid misunderstandings.

Moving presents plenty of organizational challenges. In addition to labor law issues, planning, logistics, and execution must all work together seamlessly. If you want to handle your move professionally, Intermove can support you with its experience, structured approach, and clear process—so you can focus on what matters most.