Germany’s public holidays (Feiertage) are governed by state law, not federal law, meaning each of the 16 Bundesländer sets its own holiday calendar. In 2027, Germany observes between 9 and 14 public holidays depending on the state, with significant variation in which days are observed.
For employers operating across multiple German states, managing Feiertage is a planning challenge. This guide covers the federal holidays, state-specific differences, and your obligations for pay and scheduling.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Germany has no single national holiday calendar — holidays are set by each of the 16 states
- All states observe 9 common holidays; states add between 0 and 5 additional holidays
- Reformation Day (31 October) is observed in some states but not others
- Good Friday is universally observed, and most businesses close
- Employees are entitled to paid leave on all applicable public holidays in their state
Common Public Holidays Across All 16 States
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Neujahrstag) | 1 January | Friday |
| Good Friday (Karfreitag) | 26 March | Friday |
| Easter Monday (Ostermontag) | 29 March | Monday |
| Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) | 1 May | Sunday |
| German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) | 3 October | Sunday |
| Christmas Day (Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag) | 25 December | Saturday |
| Boxing Day (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag) | 26 December | Sunday |
Note: Good Friday is universally observed, though it is not technically a “public holiday” in all states — it is a day of rest where most businesses close. Easter Saturday (Holy Saturday) is not a public holiday but is treated as a working day in most states.
State-Specific Additional Holidays
| State | Additional Holidays (2027) | Total Days |
|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | Epiphany (6 Jan), Corpus Christi (17 Jun) | 13 |
| Bavaria | Epiphany (6 Jan), Corpus Christi (17 Jun), All Saints’ Day (1 Nov) | 13 |
| Berlin | Women’s International Day (8 Mar) | 10 |
| Brandenburg | Epiphany (6 Jan), Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 12 |
| Bremen | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 10 |
| Hamburg | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 10 |
| Hesse | Corpus Christi (17 Jun) | 11 |
| Lower Saxony | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 10 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 10 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | All Saints’ Day (1 Nov) | 11 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | All Saints’ Day (1 Nov), Corpus Christi (17 Jun) | 13 |
| Saarland | All Saints’ Day (1 Nov), Corpus Christi (17 Jun) | 12 |
| Saxony | Reformation Day (31 Oct), Repentance Day (17 Nov) | 12 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 10 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 10 |
| Thuringia | Reformation Day (31 Oct) | 11 |
Replacement Day Rules
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday is lost — there is no automatic replacement day under German law. However, many states grant a replacement holiday in specific situations:
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day falling on consecutive weekends — some states grant an additional day
- Easter Monday — no replacement if it falls on a Sunday (rare but possible)
- All Saints’ Day — replacement may apply in some states
Practical tip: The German federal government does not mandate a universal replacement rule. Check your state’s specific regulations.
How Public Holidays Affect Pay
Salaried Employees
Salaried employees continue to receive their full salary on public holidays. The public holiday is treated as a regular working day for pay purposes.
Hourly Employees
Hourly employees are entitled to pay for public holidays that fall on days they would normally work. The pay is calculated as:
Average daily wage = Total wages in last 12 months / Number of working days in last 12 months
Working on a Public Holiday
If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to:
- A compensatory day off within 3 months, OR
- A 50% pay premium on top of their normal daily rate (in some states/sectors)
The specific entitlement depends on the state, the employment contract, and any applicable collective bargaining agreement (Tarifvertrag).
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Many German employers are covered by Tarifverträge that may provide more generous public holiday provisions than the statutory minimum. Check your applicable collective agreement.
Good Friday: Special Considerations
Good Friday (Karfreitag) has special significance in Germany:
- Most businesses close, including retail (except essential services)
- Public entertainment is restricted (cinemas, some events may be limited)
- Noise regulations may apply in residential areas
- Many employees take the day off, even if not legally required
Practical tip: Plan staffing carefully for Good Friday. While it is technically a regular working day in some sectors, operational expectations are very different.
Common Employer Challenges
1. Multi-State Operations
If you have employees in multiple states, they have different holiday calendars. An employee in Bavaria gets Epiphany (6 January) while one in Hamburg does not. Your payroll system must account for state-specific holidays.
2. Replacement Day Tracking
When holidays fall on Sundays, tracking which employees are entitled to replacement days is complex. Document replacement day policies clearly.
3. Collective Agreement Variations
Germany’s collective bargaining landscape is fragmented. Public holiday provisions can vary significantly between industries and regions. Always check the applicable Tarifvertrag.
4. Cross-Border Workers
Employees who live in one state but work in another are generally entitled to the holidays of their workplace state, not their home state. Confirm this with your payroll provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Germany?
Good Friday is universally observed as a day of rest, though it is not technically classified as a public holiday in all states. In practice, most businesses close and employees are entitled to the day off.
Do employees get a day off when a public holiday falls on a Sunday?
Generally, no. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday is lost unless the state provides a specific replacement. This varies by state.
Can an employer require employees to work on a public holiday?
Yes, but the employee must receive a compensatory day off within 3 months or a pay premium, depending on the state and applicable collective agreement.
Are public holidays included in annual leave?
No. Public holidays are separate from the statutory minimum of 20 days’ annual leave per year. Most collective agreements provide 25-30 days.
What about Easter Saturday?
Easter Saturday (Holy Saturday) is not a public holiday. It is a regular working day, though many employers choose to grant it as a company holiday.