Public holidays and legal holidays in Germany in 2025
Planning your vacation is essential for a good work-life balance. If you work or plan to work in Germany, it’s important to know the public holidays and legal holidays for 2025 in order to organize your time off as efficiently as possible.
Official public holidays in Germany in 2025
Germany has both national public holidays and regional holidays that vary by federal state. Here’s the full list of national holidays in 2025:
Date | Holiday Name | Day of the Week |
January 1 | New Year’s Day | Wednesday |
January 6 | Epiphany* | Monday |
April 18 | Good Friday | Friday |
April 20 | Easter Sunday | Sunday |
April 21 | Easter Monday | Monday |
May 1 | Labor Day | Thursday |
May 29 | Ascension Day | Thursday |
June 8 | Whit Sunday | Sunday |
June 9 | Whit Monday | Monday |
October 3 | German Unity Day | Friday |
December 25 | Christmas Day | Thursday |
December 26 | Boxing Day | Friday |
(*) Legal holiday only in certain federal states (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt).
When to plan your vacation in 2025?
To benefit from extended weekends and longer vacations without consuming many paid leave days, here are a few suggestions:
- April: Good Friday (April 18) and Easter (April 20-21) offer the opportunity for an extended break.
- May-June: By combining Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day (May 29), and Whit Sunday (June 8) & Whit Monday (June 9), you can plan a longer vacation.
- December: Christmas falls on Thursday and Friday, offering an ideal long weekend for winter holidays.
How public holidays in Germany 2025 affect your work schedule?
In Germany, legal holidays are observed according to each federal state. Many shops and institutions reduce their hours or are closed on major holidays like German Unity Day or Christmas. If you work through an agency or directly for a German employer, check your contract to see which holidays are guaranteed.
Jobsto.work offers access to well-paid jobs in Germany, and employers specify in their job listings which holidays are included.
How to prepare for public holidays?
- Check availability of services: Many shops and institutions are closed on public holidays, so make sure you have necessary supplies.
- Talk to your employer: Not all companies offer the same holidays, so check this information in advance.
Conclusion
Planning your vacation according to the legal holidays in Germany allows you to enjoy more time off without consuming all your paid leave days. jobsto.work provides access to secure and well-paid jobs. Stay informed and take advantage of public holidays to better organize your personal and professional time.
Read about – Public holidays and days off in the Netherlands in 2025 – a guide