This page is your definitive reference for every public holiday in Germany in 2026 — organised by date, day of the week, English and German holiday names, and the exact federal states where each holiday applies. Whether you are planning annual leave, managing HR schedules, or simply curious about the German holiday calendar, this guide covers everything.
📅 Key highlights for 2026: New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday. Labour Day is a Friday — a free long weekend. Easter arrives on April 5. Christmas Day falls on a Friday, enabling an extended festive break. Both German Unity Day and Reformation Day land on Saturdays. Ascension Day and Corpus Christi are both Thursdays, offering excellent bridge-day opportunities.
Table of Contents
- Complete Public Holidays Table 2026
- Nationwide Public Holidays 2026
- State-Specific Public Holidays 2026
- Bridge Days & Holiday Planning Tips 2026
- Holidays by State – Detailed Guides
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Complete Public Holidays Table Germany 2026
The table below lists all 18 public holidays in Germany for 2026, including the German official name (Kursivdruck) for each holiday. The “Federal States” column shows exactly where each holiday is legally observed.
| Date | Day | Public Holiday | German Name | Federal States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Neujahr | All federal states |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Tuesday | Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) | Heilige Drei Könige | BW, BY, ST |
| Mar 8, 2026 | Sunday | International Women’s Day | Internationaler Frauentag | BE, MV |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday (Karfreitag) | Karfreitag | All federal states |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) | Ostersonntag | BB only |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday (Ostermontag) | Ostermontag | All federal states |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) | Tag der Arbeit | All federal states |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) | Christi Himmelfahrt | All federal states |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) | Pfingstmontag | All federal states |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Thursday | Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) | Fronleichnam | BW, BY, HE, NW, RP, SL, SN*, TH* |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) | Mariä Himmelfahrt | SL, BY* |
| Sep 20, 2026 | Sunday | World Children’s Day (Weltkindertag) | Weltkindertag | TH only |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Saturday | German Unity Day | Tag der Deutschen Einheit | All federal states |
| Oct 31, 2026 | Saturday | Reformation Day | Reformationstag | BB, HB, HH, MV, NI, SN, SH, ST, TH |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen) | Allerheiligen | BW, BY, NW, RP, SL |
| Nov 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Day of Repentance (Buß- und Bettag) | Buß- und Bettag | SN only |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | 1. Weihnachtstag | All federal states |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Saturday | Second Day of Christmas | 2. Weihnachtstag | All federal states |
Note: Entries marked with * apply only in specific municipalities (Corpus Christi in Saxony and Thuringia in Catholic-majority communities; Assumption Day in Bavaria in Catholic-majority municipalities only).
Nationwide Public Holidays in Germany 2026
Germany has 9 public holidays that apply uniformly across all 16 federal states, anchored in federal law. These form the shared core of the German holiday calendar.
New Year’s Day – Neujahr – January 1, 2026 (Thursday)
The year opens with a nationwide public holiday. In 2026, January 1 falls on a Thursday — taking one day of leave on Friday, January 2 yields a generous 4-day New Year’s break.
Good Friday – Karfreitag – April 3, 2026 (Friday)
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a nationwide public holiday. Strict legal restrictions apply: public dances and loud events are prohibited. In 2026 it falls on April 3 (Friday), two days before Easter Sunday.
Easter Monday – Ostermontag – April 6, 2026 (Monday)
Easter Monday closes the Easter weekend and is a nationwide public holiday. Combined with Good Friday, 2026 delivers an automatic 4-day break from April 3 to April 6 without spending a single day of annual leave.
Labour Day – Tag der Arbeit – May 1, 2026 (Friday)
International Workers’ Day is a nationwide public holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Friday — automatically creating a 3-day long weekend from May 1–3 at zero cost. This is one of the best free long weekends of the year.
Ascension Day – Christi Himmelfahrt – May 14, 2026 (Thursday)
Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday (39 days after Easter Sunday). In 2026 it is May 14. Taking one day of leave on Friday, May 15 produces a 4-day long weekend. In Germany it is also informally known as Father’s Day (Vatertag).
Whit Monday – Pfingstmontag – May 25, 2026 (Monday)
Whit Monday falls 50 days after Easter Sunday. In 2026 it is May 25, creating a Whitsun long weekend from Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25.
German Unity Day – Tag der Deutschen Einheit – October 3, 2026 (Saturday)
Germany’s National Day marks the reunification of October 3, 1990. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday — German law provides no substitute weekday off.
Christmas Day & Second Day of Christmas – 1. & 2. Weihnachtstag – December 25 & 26, 2026 (Friday & Saturday)
Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday, creating an extended break from December 25 through Sunday, December 27. The Second Day of Christmas on Saturday, December 26 extends the festive period naturally into the weekend.
State-Specific Public Holidays 2026
Beyond the 9 nationwide holidays, Germany’s 16 states may designate additional state-level public holidays. This creates notable regional variation: Bavaria leads with 13 holidays, while Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein hold the minimum of 10 holidays.
Epiphany – Heilige Drei Könige – January 6, 2026 (Tuesday)
Applies in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt
Three Kings’ Day celebrates the visit of the Magi. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday — providing a mid-week break in these three states.
International Women’s Day – Internationaler Frauentag – March 8, 2026 (Sunday)
Applies in: Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Since 2019 (Berlin) and 2023 (MV) this is an official public holiday. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, so the practical additional day-off effect is minimal.
Easter Sunday – Ostersonntag – April 5, 2026 (Sunday)
Applies in: Brandenburg only
Brandenburg is uniquely the only German state to legally recognise Easter Sunday as a public holiday.
Corpus Christi – Fronleichnam – June 4, 2026 (Thursday)
Applies in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Catholic municipalities in Saxony and Thuringia
In 2026 it falls on June 4 (Thursday) — making Friday, June 5 an ideal bridge day for a 4-day weekend in eligible states.
Assumption Day – Mariä Himmelfahrt – August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
Applies in: Saarland (state-wide), Bavaria (Catholic municipalities only)
Falls on a Saturday in 2026, limiting its practical impact as an additional weekday off.
World Children’s Day – Weltkindertag – September 20, 2026 (Sunday)
Applies in: Thuringia only
Thuringia is Germany’s only state to observe this UN-backed day as a public holiday. Falls on a Sunday in 2026.
Reformation Day – Reformationstag – October 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Applies in: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia (9 states)
Commemorates Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (1517). Falls on a Saturday in all nine states in 2026 — no weekday off is gained.
All Saints’ Day – Allerheiligen – November 1, 2026 (Sunday)
Applies in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland
Falls on a Sunday in 2026 in the five Catholic states — no substitute day off is granted.
Day of Repentance – Buß- und Bettag – November 18, 2026 (Wednesday)
Applies in: Saxony only
Abolished in all other German states in 1994, only Saxony retains this Protestant day of prayer. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, November 18 — Germany’s only remaining mid-week statutory holiday.
Bridge Days & Holiday Planning Tips 2026
🌟 Best Bridge Day Opportunities in Germany 2026
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Bridge Day Needed | Total Free Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | Thursday | Jan 2 (Friday) | 4 days (Thu–Sun) |
| Labour Day | May 1 | Friday | None needed | 3 days (Fri–Sun) |
| Ascension Day | May 14 | Thursday | May 15 (Friday) | 4 days (Thu–Sun) |
| Corpus Christi* | Jun 4 | Thursday | Jun 5 (Friday) | 4 days (Thu–Sun) |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Friday | None needed | 3 days (Fri–Sun) |
*Only in states where Corpus Christi applies.
🎉 New Year 2026 (January 1 – Thursday)
One day of annual leave on Friday, January 2 turns the New Year holiday into a 4-day break. An excellent start to the year for employees who act early.
🐣 Easter 2026 (April 3–6)
Good Friday (Apr 3) through Easter Monday (Apr 6) gives an automatic 4-day break — no leave required. This is the longest free stretch of the year.
🌸 Labour Day 2026 (May 1 – Friday)
A rare gift: Labour Day falls on a Friday in 2026, delivering a free 3-day long weekend (May 1–3) without any annual leave spent.
✝️ Ascension Day & Corpus Christi 2026
Both fall on a Thursday, three weeks apart. One day of leave on the following Friday each time = 4-day weekend, twice. This is the most efficient use of annual leave in 2026 for eligible states.
🎄 Christmas 2026 (December 25 – Friday)
Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday, automatically generating a 3-day Christmas break (Dec 25–27). Add leave from December 22 for a full 10-day festive period through January 1, 2027.
Public Holidays by State – Detailed Guides
Select your federal state below for a complete breakdown including all German holiday names, regional traditions, bridge-day tips and FAQ:
- Baden-Württemberg – Public Holidays 2026
- Bavaria – Public Holidays 2026
- Berlin – Public Holidays 2026
- Brandenburg – Public Holidays 2026
- Bremen – Public Holidays 2026
- Hamburg – Public Holidays 2026
- Hesse – Public Holidays 2026
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Public Holidays 2026
- Lower Saxony – Public Holidays 2026
- North Rhine-Westphalia – Public Holidays 2026
- Rhineland-Palatinate – Public Holidays 2026
- Saarland – Public Holidays 2026
- Saxony – Public Holidays 2026
- Saxony-Anhalt – Public Holidays 2026
- Schleswig-Holstein – Public Holidays 2026
- Thuringia – Public Holidays 2026
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Public Holidays in Germany 2026
How many public holidays does Germany have in 2026?
There are 9 nationwide public holidays applying in all 16 states. Including state-specific additions, the total ranges from 10 holidays (e.g. Berlin, Hamburg) to 13 holidays (Bavaria). The combined national table contains 18 entries.
Which German state has the most public holidays in 2026?
Bavaria leads with 13 public holidays (including Assumption Day in Catholic municipalities). Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, Saxony and Thuringia follow with 12 holidays each.
When is Easter 2026 in Germany?
Easter Sunday 2026 is April 5, 2026. Good Friday is April 3 and Easter Monday is April 6 — both nationwide public holidays. Combined, they deliver a free 4-day break with no annual leave needed.
Does Labour Day 2026 fall on a working day?
Yes! Labour Day (May 1, 2026) falls on a Friday — automatically creating a free 3-day long weekend without any annual leave required. This is relatively rare and makes 2026 particularly employee-friendly.
Does Christmas fall on a working day in 2026?
Yes. Christmas Day (December 25, 2026) falls on a Friday, creating an automatic 3-day festive break from December 25 through Sunday, December 27. This makes 2026 a great year for Christmas planning.
Is Reformation Day a public holiday everywhere in Germany in 2026?
No. Reformation Day (October 31, 2026 — a Saturday) is a statutory public holiday in these 9 states only: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Because it falls on a Saturday, no extra weekday off is gained.
What is the Day of Repentance (Buß- und Bettag) and where does it apply in 2026?
The Day of Repentance is a Protestant day of prayer falling on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. It is a statutory public holiday only in Saxony after being abolished in all other states in 1994. It is the only mid-week statutory public holiday remaining in Germany.
What are the best bridge day opportunities in Germany in 2026?
The top three: (1) New Year — Jan 1 (Thursday): 1 day leave on Jan 2 = 4 days. (2) Ascension Day — May 14 (Thursday): 1 day leave on May 15 = 4 days. (3) Corpus Christi — Jun 4 (Thursday), applicable states: 1 day leave on Jun 5 = 4 days. Labour Day (May 1, Friday) and Christmas (Dec 25, Friday) deliver free long weekends at no leave cost at all.
Last updated: January 2025. All information provided without warranty — the applicable state holiday laws (Feiertagsgesetze) are authoritative for each federal state.