Germany may seem orderly and uniform on the surface, but when it comes to national holidays, things get surprisingly regional. Depending on where you live, your year might include nine, ten, or even thirteen public holidays. What gives?
The national public holidays everyone gets
Germany has 9 federal holidays that are observed across the entire country. These are:
- New Year’s Day (Neujahrstag)
- Good Friday (Karfreitag)
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag)
- Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit - 1 May)
- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)
- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag)
- German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit - 3 October)
- Christmas Day (1. Weihnachtstag - 25 December)
- Boxing Day (2. Weihnachtstag - 26 December)
These are recognized everywhere, from Hamburg to Munich. But the story doesn’t end there.
Why some states get more holidays than others
Germany’s federal system gives each state (Bundesland) the power to declare additional public holidays. These are often religious or cultural in nature. For example, Catholic regions tend to have more holidays tied to the church calendar.
This is why a resident of Bavaria might get the day off for All Saints’ Day, while someone in Berlin is expected at work.
Which states get the most?
Here’s a look at how the number of public holidays varies across a few German states:
- Bavaria: Up to 13 public holidays, the highest in the country
- Baden-Württemberg: 12 holidays
- Saxony-Anhalt: 11 holidays
- North Rhine-Westphalia: 11 holidays
- Berlin: 10 holidays (recently added International Women’s Day)
- Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Bremen: 9 holidays
Bavaria is the clear winner, thanks to holidays like Corpus Christi and Assumption Day that reflect the region’s Catholic heritage. Meanwhile, more secular or Protestant-leaning states tend to stick to the minimum.
How this affects daily life
Because holiday rules vary, it’s not uncommon for people to cross into another state to enjoy a shopping trip or attend work. For instance, if it’s a public holiday in Augsburg but not in Stuttgart, businesses might still be open just a few kilometres away.
This can get confusing, especially for newcomers and travelers. It also means that Germany’s national calendar is more like a patchwork of regional calendars stitched together.
Do employers have to give these days off?
Yes. If a public holiday is recognized in your state, employers are legally required to give employees the day off, unless you work in essential services or certain industries like retail or hospitality. Overtime pay or time-off-in-lieu is common if you do have to work.
Germany’s quiet approach to holidays
Public holidays in Germany are usually quiet and reflective. Most shops are closed, and people spend time with family or attend church. That includes Sundays too, Germany has some of the strictest laws around Sunday trading in Europe.
Unlike some countries where holidays mean big festivals or fireworks, in Germany they’re often about rest, tradition, and a break from the usual routine.
Why where you live really matters
If you’re living in Germany or planning to move there, it pays to know your region’s holiday list. The difference between 9 and 13 days off might not seem like much, but those extra long weekends can really add up over a year.
In a country where trains run on time and rules matter, this regional quirk is a small but interesting reminder that not everything in Germany runs by the same clock.