Planning a work trip or organizing your vacation in Germany often depends on how public holidays fall throughout the year. In 2026, the days off in Germany vary depending on the federal state, which can affect work schedules as well as opportunities to extend weekends. It is worth knowing these differences, as they influence how companies, schools and public offices operate, and what you can expect as an employee.
Job Offers in Germany on europa.jobs
Days off in Germany – how many public holidays do we have in 2026?
Across the entire country, there are 9 statutory public holidays in Germany, which apply to all federal states:
- 1 January (Thursday) – New Year’s Day (Neujahr)
- 3 April – Good Friday (Karfreitag)
- 6 April – Easter Monday (Ostermontag)
- 1 May (Friday) – Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit)
- 14 May (Thursday) – Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)
- 24 May (Sunday) – Pentecost / Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag)
- 3 October (Saturday) – German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit)
- 25 December (Friday) – Christmas Day (Weihnachtstag)
- 26 December (Saturday) – Boxing Day (Zweiter Weihnachtstag)
However, there are also holidays that apply only locally — for example, Reformation Day is celebrated mainly in the eastern part of the country, while Epiphany is a holiday in only a few southern states. This means that depending on the region, employees in Germany may have anywhere from 9 to even 14 statutory days off during the year.
In different federal states, the calendar looks as follows:
- 6 January (Tuesday) – Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) – Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt
- 8 March (Sunday) – International Women’s Day (Internationaler Frauentag) – Berlin
- 5 April – Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) – Brandenburg
- 4 June (Thursday) – Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) – Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- 8 June (Monday) – Whit Monday (Pfingsten) – Brandenburg
- 8 August (Saturday) – Peace Festival (Tag des Friedens) – Augsburg (Bavaria)
- 15 August (Saturday) – Assumption of Mary (Mariä Himmelfahrt) – Bavaria and Saarland
- 30 September (Wednesday) – International Children’s Day (Internationaler Kindertag) – Thuringia
- 31 October (Saturday) – Reformation Day (Reformationstag) – Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Bremen, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg
- 1 November (Sunday) – All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen) – Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
- 18 November (Wednesday) – Day of Repentance and Prayer (Buß- und Bettag) – Saxony
Days off in Germany – differences between the federal states
Germany is a federal country, which means each state has the right to establish its own public holidays. For employees, this means that the number and type of days off in Germany can differ significantly depending on where they work. For example, Bavaria has one of the highest numbers of public holidays thanks to days like Corpus Christi or the Assumption of Mary. In contrast, Berlin has fewer holidays, although a new one — International Women’s Day — has been added there. When planning work or relocation, it is therefore worth checking which rules apply in your specific region.
Days off in Germany – when is the best time to plan your vacation?
By combining weekends with public holidays, you can significantly extend your time off without using many vacation days. In 2026, the most favourable periods for longer breaks are around Easter and Christmas — by taking only a few days off, you can enjoy up to a nine-day holiday. In states where Corpus Christi is observed, taking Friday off allows you to benefit from an extended weekend. Unfortunately, in 2026 neither Labour Day nor German Unity Day creates an opportunity for a long weekend.
Days off in Germany – how do residents spend their time off?
Germans value a healthy work–life balance, so public holidays are an opportunity to rest and spend time with family. Popular leisure activities include cycling trips, visits to national parks, local festivals and seasonal markets. In many regions, parades, concerts and cultural events highlight local traditions. Days off are also a perfect time for sightseeing — historic towns, castles and scenic routes attract even more visitors on holidays.
Days off in Germany – the most important national holiday
The most iconic national holiday is German Unity Day, celebrated on 3 October. It commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 and is the only national holiday observed uniformly across the entire country. Each year, celebrations take place in a different city and include concerts, debates, family-friendly events and official speeches. This day carries deep historical and symbolic meaning and offers residents a moment to reflect on the country’s modern identity.
If you work in Germany or are planning to move there, knowing the holiday calendar will help you better organize your work schedule and rest. Anyone interested in employment can use our platform and check the latest job offers in Germany available on europa.jobs.
