Vacation Days in Germany:
What are you entitled to, and which public holidays can you expect?
Are you planning your move to Germany or have you just signed your new employment contract? Welcome! For international professionals, the number of days off in Germany often comes as a pleasant surprise. In addition to a generous holiday entitlement, the German system offers numerous statutory public holidays that ensure an excellent work-life balance. In this article from Taunus Relocation, you will find out everything you need to know about your days off, the statutory minimum leave, and regional differences in public holidays to ensure your start in Germany is a complete success.
Vacation Entitlement in Germany: What is in your contract?
In Germany, recreational leave is legally anchored in the Federal Paid Leave Act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz). The law guarantees a minimum entitlement for every employee.
- The statutory minimum leave: With a standard 5-day week, you have a legal claim to at least 20 vacation days per year.
- The reality for professional roles: In practice, most employers in Germany grant significantly more. It is common for specialists to receive between 28 and 30 vacation days (based on a 5-day week).
- Waiting period: You become entitled to your full annual leave after six months of employment. Before that, you are entitled to pro-rata leave (e.g., 2 days per month for an annual allowance of 24 days).
Taunus Relocation Tip: Check your employment contract. The number stated there is almost always higher than the legal minimum!
Statutory Public Holidays 2026: A Regional Patchwork
In Germany, public holidays are determined by the individual federal states. This means that where you work decides how many extra days off you have in addition to your vacation.
Nationwide Public Holidays – days off everywhere in Germany
These are public holidays in all 16 states:
- New Year’s Day: 1 January
- Good Friday & Easter Monday: (March/April)
- Labour Day: 1 May
- Ascension Day: (always falls on a Thursday in May)
- Whit Monday: (May/June)
- German Unity Day: 3 October
- Christmas: 25 & 26 December
Regional specifics: In Hesse, you benefit from an additional statutory public holiday: Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) always falls on a Thursday in June.
“Bridge Days”: The Pro-Tip for Expats
German employees love “bridge days” (Brückentage). If a public holiday falls on a Thursday (as is often the case with Ascension Day or Corpus Christi), many people take the Friday as a vacation day to enjoy a four-day weekend. Caution: These days are highly popular when it comes to holiday planning – be sure to request your leave for these dates early!
Conclusion: Enjoy your free time in Frankfurt-Rhein-Main
With an average of 30 vacation days and around 10 public holidays (depending on the federal state), Germany is among the top group worldwide for paid time off. This gives you plenty of time to explore your new home, the Taunus region, and the Frankfurt-Rhein-Main area at your leisure.
Do you have questions about your move or do you need support with your apartment search in Frankfurt-Rhein-Main? Taunus Relocation accompanies you step by step during your new start in Germany.
Get in touch today for a personal consultation to make your transition as smooth as possible!
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