How Many Vacation Days Do You Get in Germany?

By Robert Palmer

If you are planning to work in Germany, you may be wondering how many vacation days you will be entitled to. In this article, we will take a closer look at the German vacation system and explore how many vacation days you can expect to receive.

Understanding the Vacation System in Germany

Under German law, all employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 working days of paid vacation per year. This equates to four weeks of vacation time. However, many companies offer more than this minimum requirement as part of their employment package.

The Calculation Method

Vacation days are calculated based on the number of working days an employee has per week. If an employee works five days a week, they will receive 20 days of vacation per year (4 weeks x 5 working days). If they work six days a week, they would receive 24 days (4 weeks x 6 working days).

Additional Vacation Days

In addition to the statutory minimum, many employers offer additional vacation entitlements as part of their employment package. These extra holidays may be awarded based on years of service or as an incentive for high performance.

Public Holidays

Germany has nine public holidays each year that are recognized nationwide. These include New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day among others. While these public holidays do not count towards an employee’s vacation entitlement, they do provide additional time off work.

Conclusion

In summary, all employees in Germany are entitled to a minimum of 24 working days of paid vacation each year. However, it is common for employers to offer more than this minimum requirement as part of their employment package. Additionally, there are nine public holidays each year that provide additional time off work.

If you are planning to work in Germany or have recently started a job there, it is important to familiarize yourself with the vacation entitlements and public holiday system in order to make the most of your time off.