Germany has only 3 nationally uniform public holidays, but the remaining 9–10 holidays vary by Bundesland, creating one of Europe’s most fragmented holiday calendars. Bavaria gets 13 public holidays per year. Berlin gets 9. That four-day gap is not a typo — it’s the result of Germany’s federal structure, where each of the 16 states sets its own holiday calendar based on local tradition and religious observance.
If you manage a German workforce, you need a per-Bundesland calendar. This guide maps every variation for 2026.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
Key Takeaways
- Germany has 3 national public holidays plus regionally varying ones
- Total holidays range from 9 (Berlin) to 13 (Bavaria, Saarland)
- Religious holidays like Epiphany, Corpus Christi, and Reformation Day drive most variation
- All 16 Bundesländer observe New Year’s Day, International Labour Day, German Unity Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day
- Employers must track the specific holidays for each employee’s Bundesland
National Public Holidays (All 16 States)
These holidays apply in every Bundesland:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Neujahr) | 1 January | Thursday |
| International Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) | 1 May | Friday |
| German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) | 3 October | Saturday |
| Christmas Day (1. Weihnachtsfeiertag) | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (2. Weihnachtsfeiertag) | 26 December | Saturday |
Only 5 holidays are truly national. The remaining holidays vary by state.
Regional Holiday Matrix
| Holiday | BY | BW | BE | BB | HB | HE | HH | MV | NI | NW | RP | SL | SN | ST | SH | TH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epiphany (6 Jan) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Int’l Women’s Day (8 Mar) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Good Friday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easter Monday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ascension Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whit Monday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Corpus Christi | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Assumption Day (15 Aug) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Reformation Day (31 Oct) | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| All Saints’ Day (1 Nov) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Repentance Day | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
BY = Bavaria, BW = Baden-Württemberg, BE = Berlin, BB = Brandenburg, HB = Bremen, HE = Hesse, HH = Hamburg, MV = Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, NI = Lower Saxony, NW = North Rhine-Westphalia, RP = Rhineland-Palatinate, SL = Saarland, SN = Saxony, ST = Saxony-Anhalt, SH = Schleswig-Holstein, TH = Thuringia
Total Holidays by State
| State | Total Holidays |
|---|---|
| Bavaria | 13 |
| Baden-Württemberg | 13 |
| Saarland | 13 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 12 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 12 |
| Hesse | 11 |
| Saxony | 12 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 11 |
| Thuringia | 11 |
| Brandenburg | 11 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 11 |
| Bremen | 10 |
| Hamburg | 10 |
| Lower Saxony | 10 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 10 |
| Berlin | 9 |
Key Religious Holidays That Vary
Epiphany (6 January)
Epiphany is a public holiday in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, and Saxony-Anhalt. In the remaining 12 states, it’s a normal working day. For employers with offices in both Bavaria and Berlin, this means different schedules on the same date.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is observed in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. This is a Catholic holiday, and its observation reflects the religious composition of these states.
Reformation Day (31 October)
Reformation Day commemorates Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. It’s observed in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and (as a non-working holiday) in Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. The former East German states tend to observe it.
All Saints’ Day (1 November)
All Saints’ Day is a public holiday in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland — the predominantly Catholic western states. It’s not observed in the north or east.
What This Means for Employers
Build Per-Bundesland Calendars
A single national calendar doesn’t work. Map each employee to their state’s holidays and maintain separate tracking.
Communicate Clearly with Teams
If you have offices in multiple Bundesländer, employees in states with fewer holidays may notice colleagues getting days off they don’t. Be transparent about why.
Account for Bridge Days
German employees frequently take “Brückentage” (bridge days) — the working day between a public holiday and a weekend. Common bridge days include the Friday after Ascension Day and the Friday after Corpus Christi. Decide whether your company allows these.
Track Holidays for Payroll
Public holidays that fall on working days are paid days off. If an employee works on a public holiday, they’re entitled to a substitute day or premium pay. Track this per state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do German states have different holidays?
Germany’s federal structure gives each Bundesland the right to set its own public holidays. Religious and historical traditions drive the differences — Catholic states observe Corpus Christi and All Saints’ Day, while former East German states observe Reformation Day.
Can an employer in Germany require work on a public holiday?
Under the Bundesurlaubsgesetz (Federal Holiday Act), employees are entitled to public holidays off. Employers can request work in exceptional cases (e.g., essential services), but must provide a substitute holiday within 3 weeks.
How many holidays does Berlin have?
Berlin has 9 public holidays — the fewest of any German state. It doesn’t observe Epiphany, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, or Reformation Day.
Are bridge days mandatory?
No. Brückentage are not public holidays. They’re individual leave days that employees choose to take. Some companies offer them as a benefit.
Do public holidays count toward annual leave?
Yes. The Bundesurlaubsgesetz provides for a minimum of 20 days of annual leave (for a 5-day week) plus public holidays. Public holidays are separate from annual leave entitlements.