16 States
Germany Public Holidays
Use this Germany public holidays 2026 guide to view the 9 national holidays, state-specific additions, and the state pages needed for local planning.
Country
Year 2026
9 National Holidays
Up to 4 State-Specific Dates
Germany Public Holidays 2026
Switch between the detailed list and month-by-month calendar view.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type | State note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | - | |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | - | |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | - | |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | - | |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | - | |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday | - | |
| October 3, 2026 | Saturday | German Unity Day | Falls on Saturday in 2026. Germany does not declare a substitute weekday holiday. | |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | - | |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | Second Day of Christmas | Falls on Saturday in 2026. No substitute holiday is declared in Germany. |
Data from Nager.Date, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung Last updated June 16, 2026
January
- New Year's Day Thursday
February
No holidays this month.
March
No holidays this month.
April
- Good Friday Friday
- Easter Monday Monday
May
- Labour Day Friday
- Ascension Day Thursday
- Whit Monday Monday
June
No holidays this month.
July
No holidays this month.
August
No holidays this month.
September
No holidays this month.
October
- German Unity Day Saturday
November
No holidays this month.
December
- Christmas Day Friday
- Second Day of Christmas Saturday
State public holidays
Use the Germany public holidays 2026 overview first, then check the state page because several holidays differ significantly between states.
Bavaria
Four extra holidays beyond the national 9: Epiphany (Jan 6), Corpus Christi (Jun 4), Assumption Day (Aug 15), and All Saints' Day (Nov 1). Bavaria has the most public holidays of any German state.
View holidaysBerlin
International Women's Day (Mar 8) is an official public holiday in Berlin, added in 2019. The other 9 national holidays apply as in all states.
View holidaysBaden-Württemberg
Shares Epiphany, Corpus Christi, and All Saints' Day with Bavaria, giving it 12 public holidays in 2026.
North Rhine-Westphalia
Corpus Christi and All Saints' Day apply in addition to the 9 national holidays, giving it 11 public holidays in 2026.
Saxony
Observes Repentance Day (Buß- und Bettag) in November, the only German state to retain this holiday after 1994.
Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony
These northern states observe only the 9 national holidays, keeping their public holiday count at the national baseline.
Understanding Germany Holidays
National Holidays
Germany has 9 public holidays that apply in all 16 states. These cover Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension, Whit Monday, German Unity Day, and the two Christmas days. Germany public holidays planning starts with these nationwide dates because they apply everywhere.
State Additions
A Germany public holidays list can change by state because each German state may add holidays beyond the 9 national ones. Bavaria has the most, with 4 extra Catholic holidays, including Epiphany and Corpus Christi. Berlin adds International Women's Day.
No Substitute Days
Unlike some countries, Germany does not declare substitute weekday holidays when a public holiday falls on a weekend. In 2026, German Unity Day (Oct 3) and Second Christmas Day (Dec 26) both fall on Saturday, with no replacement Monday.
FAQ
Are Germany public holidays the same in every state in 2026?
No. Germany has 9 nationwide public holidays that apply in all 16 states, but each state can add its own holidays. Bavaria has 4 extra dates, making it the state with the most public holidays in 2026.
Which German state has the most public holidays in 2026?
Bavaria has the most public holidays in Germany in 2026, with 13 in total. These include the 9 national holidays plus Epiphany, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, and All Saints' Day.
Does Germany observe substitute holidays when they fall on weekends?
No. Germany does not declare substitute weekday holidays when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. In 2026, German Unity Day on October 3 and Second Christmas Day on December 26 both fall on Saturdays without any replacement.
Which 2026 Germany public holidays fall on a weekend?
German Unity Day falls on Saturday October 3, 2026, and Second Christmas Day falls on Saturday December 26, 2026. Neither has a substitute weekday holiday.
What are the 9 nationwide Germany public holidays in 2026?
The 9 Germany public holidays that apply in all 16 states in 2026 are: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, German Unity Day, Christmas Day, and Second Day of Christmas.
Why do different German states have different public holidays?
Germany's Basic Law gives states (Länder) authority over their own public holiday legislation beyond the nine national dates. Historical, religious, and regional traditions have led to states adding their own holidays. Bavaria's Catholic heritage explains its four extra holidays, while Berlin added International Women's Day in 2019.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in all German states in 2026?
Yes. Good Friday is one of the 9 nationwide public holidays in Germany and applies in all 16 states in 2026.
Are shops closed on German public holidays in 2026?
On Germany public holidays, generally yes. German shop-closing laws mean that most retail shops are closed on public holidays. Exceptions exist for some petrol stations, pharmacies, and tourist-area shops, and rules vary slightly by state.
How should employers plan around Germany public holidays in 2026?
Employers should use the 9 national holidays as the baseline for all locations, then add the relevant state holidays for each site. Bavaria and Berlin have state-specific additions that can affect payroll, rosters, and customer-facing hours.
Can I use this Germany public holidays page for payroll planning?
Yes. This Germany public holidays 2026 guide is a useful planning checklist for the national baseline. For payroll with employees in specific states, also check the state page to capture additional dates that affect overtime, penalty rates, and leave entitlements.