The month of March brings several days off for employees in Germany, featuring various public holidays, some observed nationally and others recognized only in specific federal states. Additionally, children and teenagers will have the opportunity to enjoy the spring vacation. Below, we provide details about the free days in Germany for March 2024.
March 8 in Germany: Day off from work in two federal states
March 8, widely recognized as International Women’s Day, is a global celebration of the outstanding achievements of women. Interestingly, in two German states, March 8 holds a special status as an official public holiday. International Women’s Day (Internationaler Frauentag) is designated as a public holiday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Consequently, on this day, schools, offices, and shops in these states remain closed. However, in the other federal states of Germany, March 8 is observed as a regular working day.
Read also: Important changes coming into effect from March 2024 in Germany
Holidays in Germany in March 2024 – when Germans celebrate Easter
In the year ahead, Catholic Easter spans the end of March and the beginning of April, bringing with it additional days off for celebration. Good Friday is recognized as a public holiday in Germany, falling on March 29 this year. It is observed nationwide. Furthermore, Germans traditionally enjoy a day off on the second day of Easter, which falls on April 1 this year. It’s worth noting that Easter Sunday is acknowledged as a public holiday in Germany, but specifically in the state of Brandenburg.
Days off in Germany in March 2024
- Friday 8 March 2024 – International Women’s Day (Internationaler Frauentag) – public holiday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- March 29, 2024, Good Friday (Karfreitag) – public holiday throughout Germany
- 31 March 2024 – Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) – public holiday in Brandenburg
- April 1, 2024 – Easter Monday – Ostermontag – day off from work throughout Germany
Truck driving ban in March 2024
The driving ban in Germany on Sundays and public holidays is applicable to heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, as well as heavy goods vehicles with trailers, irrespective of their weight. This restriction extends to empty runs as well.
Read also: Here’s how EU citizens can obtain permanent residence in Germany
In March 2024, apart from Sundays, the driving ban also applies on:
- Good Friday – Karfreitag (March 29, 2024)
- Easter Monday – Ostermontag (1 April 2024)
The following vehicles are not subject to the driving ban in Germany on Sundays and public holidays:
- Trucks carrying perishable foodstuffs (eg milk and dairy products, meat, fish, perishable fruit and vegetables).
- Combined transport of goods (eg rail and road up to 200 km from the loading station, ship and road up to 150 km from the loading port)
- Rescue, towing or emergency vehicles in the event of an accident
- Transport of live bees
CAUTION! It is important to have the necessary transport or accompanying documents as mandated by law for all transported goods. These documents must be presented to authorized individuals for inspection upon request.