Public holidays in Germany (Feiertage) are regulated by federal and state law, giving each of the 16 Bundesländer the power to set additional holidays beyond the 9 national ones. As an employer, you must grant employees time off on every applicable public holiday, pay them for those days, and navigate the regional variations that make German holiday management uniquely complex.
Missing a public holiday obligation can result in labour court disputes and claims from works councils. This guide covers all German public holidays for 2026, the state-by-state differences, and how to handle pay when holidays fall on weekdays or weekends.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
Federal Public Holidays (All States)
These holidays apply across all 16 German states:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Neujahr) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday (Karfreitag) | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday (Ostermontag) | 6 April | Monday |
| Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) | 1 May | Friday |
| German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) | 3 October | Saturday |
| Christmas Day (Erster Weihnachtstag) | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (Zweiter Weihnachtstag) | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: German Unity Day (3 October) falls on a Saturday in 2026. Most states will not substitute this day, but you should check with your state’s labour authority.
State-Specific Public Holidays
Several states observe additional holidays that don’t apply nationwide:
Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)
- Date: 6 January (Wednesday)
- Applies in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt
International Women’s Day (Internationaler Frauentag)
- Date: 8 March (Sunday)
- Applies in: Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit)
- Date: 1 May (Friday)
- Applies in: All states (federal holiday)
Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)
- Date: 14 May (Thursday)
- Applies in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, some parts of Saxony and Thuringia
Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt)
- Date: 15 August (Saturday)
- Applies in: Bavaria, Saarland (some regions)
World Children’s Day (Weltkindertag)
- Date: 20 September (Sunday)
- Applies in: Thuringia
Reformation Day (Reformationstag)
- Date: 31 October (Saturday)
- Applies in: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia
All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen)
- Date: 1 November (Sunday)
- Applies in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland
How Many Public Holidays Does Your State Get?
| State | Total Holidays |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 13 |
| Bavaria | 13 |
| Berlin | 10 |
| Brandenburg | 12 |
| Bremen | 10 |
| Hamburg | 10 |
| Hesse | 11 |
| Lower Saxony | 10 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 11 |
| NRW | 11 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 12 |
| Saarland | 12 |
| Saxony | 12 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 12 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 10 |
| Thuringia | 12 |
Employer Obligations
Granting Time Off
Under the Bundesurlaubsgesetz (Federal Holiday Act), you must grant employees time off on every applicable public holiday. If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they get the day off with full pay.
Paying for Public Holidays
Public holidays are paid like normal working days. You calculate the employee’s daily pay using the average daily earnings method:
- Fixed salary employees: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month
- Hourly workers: Average daily earnings over the last 13 weeks
- Commission-based: Include regular commission in the calculation
When a Holiday Falls on a Weekend
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, employees are generally not entitled to a substitute day off — unless their employment contract or collective agreement provides for one. German law does not automatically grant a replacement day when a holiday coincides with a weekend.
Exception: If the employee’s contract designates a specific day as their rest day and a public holiday falls on that day, they may be entitled to compensation.
Working on Public Holidays
German law prohibits work on public holidays unless:
- The nature of the work requires it (hospitals, fire services, utilities)
- A collective agreement permits it
- A special permit from the labour authority is in place
If an employee must work on a public holiday, they are entitled to a substitute day off within 8 weeks. They must be paid at their regular rate for the holiday work, and you must provide the replacement rest day.
Works Council Considerations
If you have a works council (Betriebsrat), you must consult with them on:
- Scheduling work on public holidays
- Shift rosters that include public holidays
- Compensatory time off arrangements
Works councils have co-determination rights on working time matters, so involving them early prevents disputes.
Common Mistakes
Treating All States the Same
A public holiday in Bavaria is not necessarily a holiday in Hamburg. Always check the specific state where each employee works.
Assuming Substitute Days Are Automatic
Unlike some countries, Germany does not automatically grant a substitute day when a public holiday falls on a weekend. Check your employment contracts and collective agreements.
Ignoring Works Council Rights
Failing to consult the works council on public holiday scheduling can lead to injunctions and labour court proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Germany has 9 federal public holidays; states add up to 4 more depending on the Bundesland
- Public holidays are paid at the employee’s regular rate
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, no substitute day is automatically granted by law
- Employees who work on public holidays must receive a substitute day within 8 weeks
- Consult your works council before scheduling work on public holidays
- State-specific holidays vary significantly — check the rules for each employee’s location
Managing public holidays across multiple German states is a payroll headache. Leave Balance automates public holiday calendars by state so you never miss an entitlement.