Working Days – Germany
In Germany, non-working days for which employees have a legal entitlement to time off are referred to as gesetzliche Feiertage. The number of public holidays varies considerably by state, as each of the 16 states (Bundesländer) can establish its own regional public holidays in addition to the nationally applicable gesetzliche Feiertage. For payroll processing and personnel planning purposes, the location of the business or the employee's place of work is therefore decisive.
Annual summary
| Other year | Working days | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 250 | |
| 2026 | 252 | |
| 2027 | 254 | |
| 2028 | 252 |
Need to calculate business days between two specific dates? Germany business days calculator
Frequently asked questions
Does a gesetzlicher Feiertag count as a compensatory day if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday?
No, Germany does not have a substitute day system. If a gesetzlicher Feiertag falls on a weekend, employees have no entitlement to an additional free working day. The holiday is forfeited without compensation in such cases.
How many gesetzliche Feiertage apply nationwide, and why do the states differ from one another?
Nine public holidays apply nationwide and are uniformly recognized in all 16 states. Each state may additionally establish its own public holidays by law, which is why the total number varies between approximately nine and thirteen days depending on the state. Bavaria has the most with around thirteen public holidays, while Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein represent the lower end with approximately nine days.
Is Christmas Eve (24 December) a gesetzlicher Feiertag?
No, 24 December is not a gesetzlicher Feiertag. In many companies, it is treated as a non-working half day under collective bargaining agreements or works agreements, but no legal entitlement to this exists. The only public holidays are the first day of Christmas (25 December) and the second day of Christmas (26 December).
What is a Brückentag, and must employers grant it?
A Brückentag refers to a working day between a gesetzlicher Feiertag and the weekend, which many employees use as vacation time. It is not a gesetzlicher Feiertag and does not create an automatic entitlement to time off. However, employers may designate Brückentage as company-wide closures (Betriebsurlaub) if permitted under their management rights or a works agreement.
Which location is relevant for holiday calculations for employees working from home?
For the application of gesetzliche Feiertage, the employee's place of work is generally decisive—that is, the location where work is contractually to be performed. For permanent home office arrangements, prevailing legal opinion may make the employee's place of residence decisive, which can result in different public holiday entitlements in cross-border employment relationships. HR departments should explicitly consider this in personnel planning and payroll processing and establish clear contractual provisions.