Sabbaticals are becoming more popular, partly due to changing employee needs and expectations. People are expected to work longer and face increasing demands. As a result, meaning, personal development, and a healthy work–life balance have become more important to many.
Increasing work pressure can be a good reason to take a break. For instance, to travel before having children, to explore a career switch, or to finally write that children’s book you’ve been dreaming about.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Sabbatical: growth, reflection, and rest"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"A sabbatical offers many advantages: who wouldn’t say yes to the freedom to pursue their dreams? Whether that dream is a world trip, studying, or doing volunteer work – you get a break from daily routines.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"The benefits at a glance:"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Personal growth","richBody":{"value":"Whatever you do during your sabbatical, you have space for personal growth. You can take on new challenges, try new things, and meet new people. You finally have time for things you previously couldn’t make room for – and who knows, you may discover a whole new side of yourself.
"}},{"title":"Relaxation","richBody":{"value":"Deadlines, targets, meetings, sprints – when you work, you’re constantly chasing goals. Add a busy social calendar and there’s hardly any time to unwind. During a sabbatical, you set your own pace and slow down, which benefits you once you return to work.
"}},{"title":"Reflection","richBody":{"value":"Time and distance help you regain clarity about where you stand, what you want, what matters to you, and whether you’re still on the right path. In both your professional and personal life, you gain focus and perspective.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Things to consider beforehand"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"If you decide to take a sabbatical, it’s important to think through a few key issues. A sabbatical can affect your career and your pension accrual, to name just a few. Here are some points to keep in mind:
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Career break","richBody":{"value":"While you choose not to work for a while, your workplace continues to run. A temporary replacement may take over your tasks, and you will miss ongoing developments within the company. A sabbatical can therefore interrupt your career progression. A lot may also change in your absence – within the company or your role – although you can often agree on clear arrangements with your employer.
"}},{"title":"Financial consequences","richBody":{"value":"Although some companies include sabbaticals in their secondary employment benefits, they are usually unpaid. You will have no income during your leave, and your sabbatical activities also cost money. Prepare for the financial impact. Unexpected expenses – like a broken washing machine or car – can also occur during your sabbatical. Planning to switch jobs afterward? Consider the financial gap while job hunting.
"}},{"title":"No accrual of holiday days and pension","richBody":{"value":"During your sabbatical, you do not accrue holiday days or holiday pay. It is also uncertain whether you will continue to build up pension rights – this depends on your employment agreement or collective labour agreement (CAO).
"}},{"title":"Tip: Consider whether you want to continue working part‑time.","richBody":{"value":"If you are willing and your employer agrees, you could consider working a few hours a week during your sabbatical. This way, you maintain some income, keep up with company developments, stay connected with colleagues, and continue accruing holiday days.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"A worry‑free sabbatical? Read 6 tips to prepare financially"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Whatever you plan to do during your leave, good preparation is key – especially financially. With the steps below, you’ll be well on your way to a worry‑free sabbatical, both financially and practically.
Financial preparation:
1. Create a realistic budget
It’s important to know how much money you need to fund your sabbatical. List all your income and expenses before, during, and after your leave. Consider housing, insurance, pension, travel costs, everyday expenses, and any additional activities.
Tip: In the ING app, the “Inzicht” feature shows how much you spend on groceries, rent, etc. This helps you distinguish which costs will continue during your sabbatical and how much you’ll need per month.
2. Check the impact on taxes and benefits
What are the consequences of unpaid leave? It can affect your taxes and any government benefits you receive. You can read more on the Dutch government website (Rijksoverheid).
If you plan to quit your job entirely, set aside money to cover the period needed to find a new job.
3. Start saving early
Once you know how much your sabbatical will cost, create a savings plan. Determine how much you can set aside each month and how long you need to save to reach your goal.
In the ING app, you can set savings goals and track your progress at a glance. Not a natural saver or want to save extra? Automatic saving helps you set aside money easily and almost without noticing.
4. Build an emergency fund
In addition to saving for your sabbatical, it’s wise to have a financial buffer for unexpected expenses such as medical costs, repairs, or cancellations. A general guideline is to keep three to six months of fixed expenses as a reserve.
Also good to arrange:
5. Arrange your sabbatical at work
Request your leave well in advance and discuss conditions with your employer. Look for ways to make the arrangements beneficial for both parties. Finish or hand over projects properly before you leave.
6. Sort out your housing and administration
If you’re traveling and own a home, decide what to do with it while you’re away: rent it out, sublet it, or leave it empty. Each option has pros and cons depending on the duration of your sabbatical, the value of your home, the rental market, and tax rules.
If you rent, check whether you can terminate, extend, or sublet your rental contract. Make sure everything is documented properly and that you have the right insurance. Don’t forget storage for your belongings if needed.
If you’re traveling, arrange a valid passport, visas, and vaccinations. Take out good travel insurance and inform your bank and credit‑card provider of your plans to avoid unnecessary transaction blocks. Make sure someone at home knows your plans and contact details, and agree where your mail should go.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"A financial coach to think along with you?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You can figure a lot out on your own, but having someone think with you can be helpful and save time. Our financial coaches can advise you on how to best prepare for your sabbatical financially, which options you have, and what to consider. They can help during an ING Inzicht session – at one of our offices or via video call, free for ING customers.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/personal/financial-health/inzicht-gesprek-landingspagina-open-financieel-gezond","text":"Discover the ING Inzicht Conversation"}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"The meaning of “sabbatical”"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"A frequently asked question: why is extended leave called a sabbatical?
The idea of a rest year goes back a long time, when a sabbath year was recommended every seven years to give farmland a break from agricultural activity. More recently, sabbaticals were mainly taken by academics, allowing them uninterrupted time to conduct research. Nowadays, many more people are interested in a temporary period of rest.