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Quick Summary
Germany takes its time off very seriously. By law, shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays, forcing society to rest. However, because Germany is a federal republic, the number of public holidays you get depends entirely on which state you live in. Bavaria has the most (up to 13), while Berlin historically had the fewest. Here is how the German holiday system works and how to maximize your vacation days using "Brückentage".
1. Vacation Days: The Legal Minimum
If you work a standard 5-day week in Germany, the absolute legal minimum for paid vacation (Urlaub) is 20 days per year.
However, this is just the legal baseline. In practice, the German labor market is incredibly generous. Almost all corporate employment contracts offer between 25 and 30 days of paid vacation per year. In sectors with strong unions (like automotive or public service), 30 days is the absolute standard.
Vacation during Probation
A common myth is that you cannot take a vacation during your 6-month probation period (Probezeit). Legally, you earn 1/12th of your annual vacation allowance for every full month you work. If you have a 30-day allowance, you earn 2.5 days of vacation per month, which you can absolutely request to use during probation.
2. National vs. Regional Public Holidays
There are nine public holidays (Gesetzliche Feiertage) that are celebrated nationwide in every single German state:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Good Friday (Karfreitag - variable in Spring)
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag - variable in Spring)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt - variable, always a Thursday)
- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag - variable in Spring)
- German Unity Day (October 3)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Boxing Day / 2nd Christmas Day (December 26)
The Regional Lottery
The remaining holidays are heavily influenced by the dominant religion of the state. Catholic states in the south (like Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg) have significantly more public holidays, such as Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) or All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen).
Fun Fact: To make up for having the fewest holidays in the country, the state of Berlin recently declared International Women's Day (March 8) an official public holiday.
3. The "Brückentag" Strategy (Bridge Days)
A Brückentag (Bridge Day) is a regular working day that falls exactly between a public holiday and the weekend.
Because Ascension Day and Corpus Christi always fall on a Thursday, the Friday immediately following them is the ultimate Brückentag.
The Strategy: By requesting just one single day of paid vacation (Friday), you get four consecutive days off (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
Book Early!
Germans are world champions at vacation planning. As soon as the new year begins, employees will rush to the HR portal to claim their Brückentage. Since companies cannot have an empty office on a Friday, it's usually first-come, first-served. Plan your bridge days in January!
4. Are shops open on Public Holidays?
No. The rule is simple: Public holidays are treated exactly like Sundays.
All supermarkets, retail stores, banks, and offices are strictly closed.
If you forget to buy groceries before a long Easter weekend, your only options for survival are:
- Train Stations & Airports: Supermarkets inside major transit hubs have special permits to stay open 365 days a year.
- Gas Stations: They sell basics (milk, bread, frozen pizza) at highly inflated prices.
- Spätis / Kiosks: In cities like Berlin, small corner stores usually stay open illegally or via loopholes, selling drinks and snacks.
- Restaurants & Cafes: Gastronomy and entertainment (cinemas, museums) usually remain open on holidays.
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About Oliver
Founder of expats.de, former cooperative bank advisor (Bankfachwirt IHK) with 12 years of banking experience, and a §34d licensed insurance broker. Since 2014, Oliver has helped over 10,000 expats navigate the German financial system. Read Oliver's full story →
Educational Notice & General Advice
This content is educational and reflects analysis based on our 11 years of market experience, our 200,000+ community insights, and current regulatory knowledge.
As a 34d-licensed insurance broker and experienced financial advisor, I provide this guidance in good faith. However, for personalized advice especially regarding insurance, mortgages, or tax-specific decisions—please consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional in your specific situation. Past expat experiences and historical market data do not guarantee identical results for your unique circumstances.