Parental Leave and Re-entry

The "Parental Leave and Re-entry" program in Vienna is aimed at employed individuals with their main residence in the federal capital who are planning vocational training or further education before, during, or after parental, caregiving, or family hospice leave and wish to gather information about returning to working life. Participants benefit from free counseling services, topic-specific workshops and lectures, as well as parent-child meetings, where individual education plans are developed together with experienced experts. The goal is early, preventive support to ensure a smooth transition back into employment and to identify tailored further training pathways.

Additionally, the Vienna Employees’ Support Fund (waff) provides a qualification subsidy covering 90% of course costs up to a maximum of €4,000. Funding is granted exclusively for courses offered by recognized educational providers with at least 30% in-person attendance or a positive on-site final examination. Requirements include an active employment relationship, a net income of up to €2,800 (from January 1, 2026), a leave duration up to the child’s 22nd or 24th month of life, and exclusion of simultaneous educational leave or voluntary leave. Proof of residence, employment status, income, and course confirmation must be submitted. Applications can be made continuously, allowing flexible use of the funding offer and sustainably strengthening the compatibility of family, private life, and career.