Only nine public holidays apply in all of Germany. Each of the 16 federal states adds its own days: Epiphany (Jan 6) in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt; International Women's Day (Mar 8) in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; Corpus Christi in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and parts of Saxony and Thuringia; the Assumption (Aug 15) in Saarland and Bavaria's mostly Catholic areas; Reformation Day (Oct 31) in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Bremen; All Saints (Nov 1) in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland; and Buß- und Bettag in Saxony only.

Bavaria tops the table with up to 13 holidays in total, while Berlin and Hamburg get only the nine nationwide days plus (in Berlin's case) Women's Day. Always check the calendar for your specific state.

Unlike the UK or Japan, Germany has no substitute-day rule. When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no weekday off in lieu — the holiday is simply lost for employees on a standard Monday-to-Friday week.

In 2026, two of the nine nationwide holidays land on weekends: German Unity Day on Saturday Oct 3 and Boxing Day on Saturday Dec 26. Christmas Day itself (Fri Dec 25) still gives a three-day weekend.

A "Brückentag" (bridge day) is the working day between a holiday and the weekend, which Germans routinely take as vacation. Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, so the Friday after it is the country's most popular bridge day — one vacation day turns into a four-day weekend.

In 2026 the bridge days are Friday Jan 2 (after New Year's Day) and Friday May 15 (after Ascension). Book early — offices and trains empty out on those Fridays, and popular destinations fill up fast.

Public holidays are declared state-by-state in each Bundesland's Feiertagsgesetz, but pay rules are federal. Under the Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz (Continued Remuneration Act), if a public holiday falls on a normal working day, employees receive their regular wage without working. There is no substitute when the holiday lands on a weekend — the day is simply lost, which is why German Unity Day (Sat Oct 3) and Boxing Day (Sat Dec 26) matter in 2026.

If you must work on a public holiday, premium pay is set by collective agreements (Tarifvertrag) or the employment contract — often 125% to 150% of the normal rate. Shops in tourist areas may open on some holidays; on nationwide holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day, most retail closes. Plan Brückentag travel early — trains and highways empty out on those Fridays.