German holiday calendar 2025. Holidays in Germany. 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of long weekends in Germany. Employees will have plenty of chances to enjoy extra days off if they plan their vacations carefully. Starting early in the year, they can take advantage of public holidays and combine them with vacation days to get as many as 50 days off throughout the year. This is a great opportunity to plan longer holidays or short trips to different parts of Europe. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your days off in 2025.
Important information about public holidays in Germany
In Germany, each of the 16 states has its own set of special public holidays, in addition to the national ones. For instance, Berlin celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, and Catholic states like Bavaria have a few extra holidays. In 2025, there will be nine national public holidays across all states, none of which fall on a Saturday or Sunday, which is great for workers. Here’s a list of the national holidays:
- New Year (Wednesday, January 1)
- Good Friday (Friday, April 18)
- Easter Monday (Monday, April 21)
- Labor Day (Thursday, May 1)
- Ascension of the Lord (Thursday, May 29)
- Pentecost Monday (Monday, June 9)
- German Unity Day (Friday, October 3)
- Christmas (Thursday, December 25)
- Second Day of Christmas (Friday, December 26)
It’s also important to note that Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are not public holidays in Germany. By law, employees in Germany are entitled to at least 20 days of vacation per year. However, the usual amount is 25 days, and in larger companies, it can be as high as 30 days or more.
Read also: Berlin Raises New Year’s Eve Entry Fee: What to Expect at Brandenburg Gate
Long weekends in Germany 2025: How to plan your vacation effectively
Labor Day (May 1st)
- Day of leave: May 2 (Friday)
- Days off: May 1 (Thursday) – May 4 (Sunday)
- Effect: 4 days off with 1 day of vacation
Ascension of the Lord (May 29)
- Day of leave: May 30 (Friday)
- Days off: May 29 (Thursday) – June 1 (Sunday)
- Effect: 4 days off with 1 day of vacation
Pentecost (June 9)
- Vacation days: June 10 – 13 (Tuesday – Friday)
- Days off: June 7 (Saturday) – June 15 (Sunday)
- Effect: 9 days off with 4 days of vacation
German Unity Day (October 3)
- Days off: October 3 (Friday) – October 5 (Sunday)
- Effect: 3 days off without the need to take a vacation
Christmas (December 25-26)
- Holiday days: December 22-24 (Monday-Wednesday)
- Days off: December 20 (Saturday) – December 28 (Sunday)
- Effect: 9 days off with 3 days of vacation
New Year’s Eve and New Year (2025/2026)
- Vacation days: 29-31 December 2025 (Monday-Wednesday)
- Days off: December 27 (Saturday) – January 4 (Sunday)
- Effect: 9 days off with 3 days of vacation
Why You Should Plan a Longer Vacation
Experts suggest taking a two-week vacation at least once a year to ensure proper rest and relaxation. The Institute for Work and Health of the German Accident Insurance (IAG) highlights that such a break can greatly improve regeneration, lower stress levels, and boost productivity when employees return to work. When planning your vacation for 2025, it’s a great idea to take advantage of public holidays to extend your time off. By aligning your vacation days with these holidays, you can enjoy a longer and more relaxing break, helping you to recharge and return to work refreshed.