2025 Holidays - Germany

Germany Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. General Observance

Public holidays in Germany are established by federal and state legislation and published in the official holiday calendars of the respective states. These holidays are observed on the calendar dates specified in those publications.

Because the list of holidays may vary by state, always consult the official calendar for the state in which you work.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on that day.

- There is no statutory provision for shifting the holiday to the following Monday.

- Any substitute day off would have to be arranged through employer policies or collective agreements, but it is not mandated by law.

3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- Public holidays that fall on a Saturday are observed on that Saturday.

- There is no automatic mechanism that shifts a Saturday holiday to another weekday.

- Additional days off for weekend holidays may only be provided if negotiated through collective agreements or offered by an employer.

4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- Germany does not have a statutory system that automatically creates extra “bridge” days to extend a holiday into a long weekend.

- Any extended holiday arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis—typically through employer policies or collective bargaining—and are not part of the statutory framework.

5. Additional Notes

- Because public holiday observance can vary by state, employers and employees should always refer to the official holiday calendar of the relevant federal state for the most accurate information.

- Employees working on public holidays are generally entitled to premium pay or compensatory time off as set out by applicable labor laws or collective agreements.

- For the most up-to-date details, always consult the current official holiday calendar and any recent legislative updates.