Holiday Entitlement in Germany: How Many Days Are You Entitled To?

Ever wondered why your colleague from Bayern seems to have more days off than you, even though you're both full-time workers? It's not just luck—it's all about understanding your holiday entitlement in Germany. Whether you're planning a summer getaway or eyeing those long weekends around Easter, knowing your rights under German law can turn standard 20 days into epic breaks of up to 60 days off when combined smartly with public holidays.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly how many holiday days you're entitled to, how the rules work across different work schedules and Bundesländer, and tips to maximise your time away. Backed by the Bundesurlaubsgesetz (Federal Vacation Act), these entitlements are your legal right—no employer can take them away.

Legal Minimum Holiday Entitlement: What the Law Says

The cornerstone of holiday entitlement in Germany is the Bundesurlaubsgesetz, which guarantees a minimum of paid annual leave for all employees. Here's the breakdown:

• 5-day work week (standard Monday-Friday): 20 working days per year.
• 6-day work week: 24 working days per year.

This is calculated as four weeks based on your individual work schedule—simple and non-negotiable. Public holidays don't count towards this quota; they're additional paid days off if they fall on your regular working days.

Full-Time vs Part-Time Employees

Part-timers get holiday entitlement pro-rated based on their hours. For example, if you work 20 hours a week (half-time), you're entitled to 10 days for a 5-day schedule. Temporary workers and apprentices also qualify, with specifics often outlined in collective agreements (Tarifverträge).

Most employers go beyond the minimum—offering 25-30 days—to stay competitive and promote work-life balance. Check your contract or ask HR for your exact allowance.

Special Rules for New Starters and Leavers

Starting mid-year? You accrue holiday days proportionally. For instance, joining in July means about 10 days for the rest of the year (for a 5-day week). Leaving before year-end? Unused days must be paid out, unless you've taken more than entitled.

Parents benefit too: Mütterrente and parental leave don't reduce your entitlement, and you can carry over days if needed.

Public Holidays: Extra Days Across Germany

Germany's nine nationwide public holidays add serious value to your time off—they're paid and don't eat into your annual leave. In 2026, they're:

DateWeekdayHoliday
1 January | Thu | New Year’s Day
3 April | Fri | Good Friday
6 April | Mon | Easter Monday
1 May | Fri | Labour Day
14 May | Thu | Ascension Day
25 May | Mon | Whit Monday
3 October | Sat | German Unity Day
25 December | Fri | Christmas Day
26 December | Sat | Second Day of Christmas

If a holiday lands on your workday, you get it off with pay. Weekends? No makeup day, but regional extras can boost totals to 13 days in states like Bayern.

Regional Holidays: Why Location Matters

Your Bundesland determines extras. For example:

• Bayern, Baden-Württemberg, Sachsen-Anhalt: Epiphany (6 Jan) adds one.
• Some Protestant states: Reformation Day (31 Oct).

Check your state's calendar via the Arbeitsagentur or BMAS website for the full 2026 list.

Maximising Your Holiday Entitlement: Bridging Days and Planning Tips

Smart planning turns 24 minimum days into 60+ off, including weekends. Use "Brückentage" (bridging days) around holidays.

Top 2026 Strategies

PeriodVacation Days NeededTotal Days Off
New Year (25 Dec 2025–4 Jan 2026) | 4 | 11
Easter (28 Mar–12 Apr) | 8 | 16
Ascension-Pentecost (9–25 May) | 9 | 17

Practical tips:

• Submit requests early—many firms require 2-3 months' notice.
• Combine with school holidays (Weihnachtsferien: ~Dec 20–Jan 10) if you have kids.
• Use tools like the ZEP vacation planner for your state.
• Talk to your Betriebsrat (works council) if requests are denied unreasonably.

Carrying Over and Unused Days

Unused holidays? Carry up to 50% over to March 31 of the next year, but use them or lose them—employers must remind you in writing. In sickness or parental leave, extensions apply.

Holiday Pay and Employer Obligations

Your holidays are fully paid at your average salary over the prior 13 weeks. Employers can't force you to take leave during notice periods without agreement, and peak times (e.g., Christmas) need Betriebsrat approval.

For freelancers or Mini-Jobbers, entitlements vary—check with your Krankenkasse or a lawyer via Verbraucherzentrale.

Next Steps: Claim Your Time Off Today

Don't leave your holidays on the table—log into your firm's portal, mark those Brückentage, and consult the Arbeitsagentur for state-specific advice. If disputes arise, contact your Gewerkschaft or the Fair Integration Portal at make-it-in-germany.com. With Germany's generous laws, 2026 could be your best year for rest yet. Plan now, recharge fully.

Photo by chriswanders from pixabay