As Christmas approaches, the anticipation for the upcoming festivities with our loved ones intensifies each day. While many companies close for Christmas, in certain industries, December 25 and 26 may not automatically be considered holidays. Despite a general prohibition on working on public holidays, there are exceptions. Individuals working on public holidays may wonder whether they will receive additional compensation. Here’s all about the Christmas holiday in Germany:
Days off during the Christmas holiday in Germany
The Christmas holidays in Germany are clearly defined by law. December 25 and 26 are officially recognized as national holidays, with a work ban in place on these days. Federal law safeguards nine public holidays in Germany, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Labor Day, German Unity Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day. Additionally, there are regional public holidays.
Read also: Spread Christmas cheer with these 10 holiday greetings in German
Is December 24th a holiday?
December 24 is not a public holiday but a regular working day. If you wish to have a calm preparation for your gifts and Christmas meal, it’s advisable to take a day off. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Read also: 5 must-try Christmas dishes in Germany
Who is allowed to work on Bank holidays?
As a general rule, working on public holidays is not allowed, and this prohibition extends throughout the entire day. Nevertheless, the Working Hours Act (ArbZG) outlines exceptions to this rule. These exceptions encompass emergency and rescue services, fire departments, hospitals, and restaurants.
Christmas bonuses
The possibility of Christmas overpayment varies depending on the employer’s policies. Legally, employees are not entitled to extra payments for working on these days, following the same rules as other public holidays. For instance, if an employee works on December 26, they are typically entitled to one day of rest. However, night work carries different regulations, mandating additional payments.
While not legally mandated, numerous companies provide Christmas bonuses to their employees. Typically, these bonuses are tax-free, as long as they don’t exceed 125 percent of the base salary. The base salary, capped at a maximum of €50 per hour, serves as the reference point for tax considerations. Notably, on Christmas Eve from 14:00 and on December 25 and 26, salary supplements of up to 150% of the basic salary are tax-free.
Read also: Christmas bonus in Germany: What employees need to know
When is the Christmas holiday in each federal state?
During Christmas, schools also enter the vacation period. Here’s the schedule for school holidays for Christmas in 2023, organized by each federal state:
- Baden-Württemberg : 23 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Bavaria : 23 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Berlin : 23 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Brandenburg : 23 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Bremen : 23 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Hamburg : 22 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Hessa : December 27, 2023 – January 13, 2024
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern : 21 December 2023 – 3 January 2024
- Lower Saxony : 27 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- North Rhine-Westphalia : 21 December 2023 – 5 January 2024
- Rhineland-Palatinate : December 27, 2023 – January 5, 2024
- Saarland : 21 December 2023 – 2 January 2024
- Saxony : December 23, 2023 – January 2, 2024
- Saxony Anhalt : 21 December 2023 – 3 January 2024
- Schleswig-Holstein : 27 December 2023 – 6 January 2024
- Thuringia : December 22, 2023 – January 5, 2024