Germany has nine public holidays that apply in all 16 states, plus additional state-specific holidays that differ by region. This matters for planning — a holiday in Bavaria means offices, supermarkets, and public transport run on Sunday schedules in Bavaria only, not in Berlin. Knowing your state's holidays saves surprises.
National Public Holidays (All States)
- New Year's Day (Neujahr): January 1
- Good Friday (Karfreitag): varies (March/April) — no entertainment, no dancing
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag): day after Easter Sunday
- Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit): May 1
- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt): 39 days after Easter — also "Father's Day," groups of men drinking in parks
- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag): 50 days after Easter Sunday
- German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit): October 3
- Christmas Day (1. Weihnachtstag): December 25
- Boxing Day (2. Weihnachtstag): December 26
State-Specific Holidays
Bavaria (Bayern) has the most holidays: Epiphany (Jan 6), Corpus Christi, Assumption of Mary (Aug 15, in parts of Bavaria), All Saints' Day (Nov 1), and the national nine. Total: 13 to 14 depending on municipality.
Baden-Württemberg: Epiphany (Jan 6), Corpus Christi, All Saints' Day (Nov 1). Total: 12.
North Rhine-Westphalia: Corpus Christi, All Saints' Day (Nov 1). Total: 11.
Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen: International Women's Day (March 8 — in Berlin only since 2019) but no Catholic holidays. Total: 9 to 10.
Saxony (Sachsen): Repentance Day (Buß- und Bettag, November, Wednesday before the last Sunday before Advent). Total: 10.
What "Public Holiday" Means Practically
On public holidays (gesetzliche Feiertage):
- All shops close, including supermarkets (exceptions: bakeries until noon, gas station shops, train station shops)
- Public transport runs on reduced Sunday schedules — always check the DB app or local VVV website
- Government offices, banks, and post offices are closed
- Restaurants and bars operate normally
- Employees who work on public holidays earn a surcharge (Feiertagszuschlag) of 125% to 150% of their normal wage
Practical Tips
Pre-shop before any public holiday. The evening before a holiday, supermarkets look like a city preparing for a siege. Grocery shelves of essentials clear by 7pm. Plan your shopping two days in advance.
If a public holiday falls on Thursday, many Germans take the Friday off as well (Brückentag, bridge day). If you're scheduling meetings or expecting deliveries, check the holiday calendar for your region at this URL: feiertage.net
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