Winter break in Germany 2025. Holidays in Germany. Winter break in Germany starts on different dates depending on the state where a child goes to school. While only 11 of the 16 federal states have a winter break, it’s a perfect time for rest, travel, and outdoor fun, both in Germany and nearby countries. However, parents planning a winter getaway with their kids need to remember that missing school outside the official vacation time could lead to expensive fines. The school calendar in Germany is strictly followed, and taking children out of school without permission can result in a fine. In some states, fines for extending vacation without approval can be as high as 2,500 euros.
Winter break in Germany 2025
Here is the list of winter holidays by state in Germany for 2025:
- Bremen: 3rd – 4th February 2025
- Hamburg: 31st January 2025
- Lower Saxony: 3rd – 4th February 2025
- Bavaria: 3rd – 7th March 2025
- Berlin: 3rd – 8th February 2025
- Brandenburg: 3rd – 8th February 2025
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 3rd – 14th February 2025
- Saarland: 24th February – 4th March 2025
- Saxony: 17th February – 1st March 2025
- Saxony-Anhalt: 27th – 31st January 2025
- Thuringia: 3rd – 8th February 2025
2,500-euro fine for traveling with a child outside official school holidays
In Germany, parents who choose to take their children on holiday during the school year may face penalties for their children’s absence from school. Repeated violations could even lead to court proceedings. Missing school for a holiday is considered a violation of school attendance rules and can result in fines of up to 2,500 euros. The fine amounts vary depending on the federal state, ranging from 35 euros per day in Bremen to 2,500 euros in Berlin. In states like Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein, fines can range from 1,000 to 1,500 euros. In other states, such as Baden-Württemberg or Thuringia, the fine is determined on a case-by-case basis.