Public Holidays in Germany 2026 by State (Bundesland)

Planning your 2026 calendar around public holidays in Germany by state (Bundesland) can make a big difference to your work-life balance. Whether you're booking time off, organising family trips, or just curious about extra days off in your region, knowing these dates helps you maximise long weekends and avoid surprises at work.

Germany's public holidays blend national celebrations with regional traditions across our 16 Bundesländer. While nine holidays apply nationwide, states like Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg add unique ones, potentially giving you up to 13 days off. Labour laws ensure you're entitled to these as paid days off if they fall on weekdays, but check your contract or Arbeitsagentur for specifics.

National Public Holidays in Germany 2026

These nine holidays are observed everywhere, closing shops, banks, and most businesses. They're perfect for nationwide events like barbecues on Labour Day or fireworks on German Unity Day.

Date	Weekday	Holiday Name	German Name
1 January	Thursday	New Year's Day	Neujahr
3 April	Friday	Good Friday	Karfreitag
6 April	Monday	Easter Monday	Ostermontag
1 May	Friday	Labour Day	Tag der Arbeit
14 May	Thursday	Ascension Day	Christi Himmelfahrt
25 May	Monday	Whit Monday	Pfingstmontag
3 October	Saturday	German Unity Day	Tag der Deutschen Einheit
25 December	Friday	Christmas Day	Weihnachtsfeiertag
26 December	Saturday	Second Day of Christmas	Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag

Note: Holidays on Saturdays or Sundays don't grant extra paid time off, but you'll still get the statutory holiday pay if working.

State-Specific Public Holidays in Germany 2026

Each Bundesland adds its own holidays rooted in history and culture. Southern states often have more Catholic feast days, while eastern ones mark Reformation Day. Here's a breakdown by state, including total holidays for 2026.

Baden-Württemberg (12 holidays)

• 6 January (Tuesday): Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)
• 4 June (Thursday): Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)
• 1 November (Sunday): All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen)

Great for Swabian traditions—expect markets and processions.

Bavaria (13 holidays)

• 6 January (Tuesday): Epiphany
• 4 June (Thursday): Corpus Christi (partial in some areas)
• 15 August (Saturday): Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt, partial)
• 1 November (Sunday): All Saints' Day

Bavaria tops the list with 13 days—ideal for Oktoberfest planning (though not a holiday).

Berlin (10 holidays)

• 8 March (Sunday): International Women's Day

Berlin keeps it minimal, focusing on national days.

Brandenburg (10 holidays)

• 5 April (Sunday): Easter Sunday (regional)
• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Bremen (10 holidays)

• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Hamburg (10 holidays)

• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Hesse (10 holidays)

• 4 June (Thursday): Corpus Christi

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (11 holidays)

• 8 March (Sunday): International Women's Day
• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Lower Saxony (10 holidays)

• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

North Rhine-Westphalia (11 holidays)

• 4 June (Thursday): Corpus Christi
• 1 November (Sunday): All Saints' Day

Rhineland-Palatinate (11 holidays)

• 4 June (Thursday): Corpus Christi
• 1 November (Sunday): All Saints' Day

Saarland (12 holidays)

• 6 January (Tuesday): Epiphany
• 4 June (Thursday): Corpus Christi
• 15 August (Saturday): Assumption Day
• 1 November (Sunday): All Saints' Day

Saxony (11 holidays)

• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day
• 18 November (Wednesday): Repentance and Prayer Day (Buß- und Bettag, regional)

Saxony-Anhalt (11 holidays)

• 6 January (Tuesday): Epiphany
• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Schleswig-Holstein (10 holidays)

• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Thuringia (11 holidays)

• 20 September (Sunday): World Children's Day (Weltkindertag)
• 31 October (Saturday): Reformation Day

Employee Rights and Practical Tips for Public Holidays

Under German labour law, public holidays are paid days off for full-time employees. If you're scheduled to work, you get holiday pay at 150% or time off in lieu—check your Tarifvertrag or contact your Betriebsrat. Retail and hospitality often operate with restrictions; the Ladenöffnungsgesetz limits Sunday trading.

Actionable tips:

• Combine holidays for long weekends: Easter Monday (6 April) + Good Friday creates a four-day break.
• Plan around Saturdays: German Unity Day (3 Oct) and others fall midweek better for time off.
• Download calendars from timeanddate.com or apps like Absentify.
• If self-employed, note bank closures affect payments—TARGET holidays align with nationals.
• For expats, reference make-it-in-germany.com for work culture insights.

Plan Ahead for a Balanced 2026

With up to 13 holidays across states, 2026 offers plenty of recharge time. Mark your calendar now, discuss time off with your employer early, and explore local festivities—whether it's Corpus Christi processions in NRW or Reformation markets in Saxony. For personalised advice, visit your local Arbeitsagentur or check state portals. Here's to more Feiertage and less stress!