Introduction to German Bank Holidays 2026
Germany’s public holidays, often called ‘bank holidays’ in English, are a mix of federal observances celebrated nationwide and state-specific ones that vary by Bundesland (federal state). Unlike the UK’s more uniform bank holidays, Germany’s 16 states set their own additional holidays, leading to regional differences. This can affect travel, business operations and school closures.
If you’re a British expat in Germany, planning a trip from the UK, or doing business across borders, knowing these dates is essential. In 2026, many holidays fall on weekdays, creating long weekends. We’ll cover federal holidays first, then state variations, long weekends, travel tips and comparisons to UK bank holidays 2026 for context.
All dates are verified against standard calendars, with Easter confirmed as Sunday 5 April 2026.
Federal Public Holidays in Germany 2026
These 10 holidays are observed across all states. Shops, banks and many businesses close, though supermarkets may open limited hours on some.
- New Year’s Day (Neujahr): Thursday, 1 January 2026. Kicks off the year with fireworks and parties.
- Good Friday (Karfreitag): Friday, 3 April 2026. Quiet day with church services; no work.
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag): Monday, 6 April 2026. Family time with egg hunts and walks.
- Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit): Friday, 1 May 2026. Protests in some cities; great for May Day celebrations.
- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt): Thursday, 14 May 2026. Often a ‘bridge day’ to make a long weekend.
- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag): Monday, 25 May 2026. Follows Pentecost; outdoor festivals common.
- German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit): Saturday, 3 October 2026. Reunification celebrated, but weekend means no extra day off.
- Christmas Day (Weihnachtsfeiertag): Friday, 25 December 2026. Family gatherings and markets.
- Boxing Day (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag): Saturday, 26 December 2026. Similar to UK, but on weekend.
Note: No automatic substitute days for weekend holidays in Germany, unlike some UK practices.
State-Specific Bank Holidays 2026
Each Bundesland adds unique holidays, often religious. Here’s a breakdown by state, highlighting key extras:
Nationwide but Variable
- Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige): Tuesday, 6 January 2026 – Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt.
- Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam): Thursday, 11 June 2026 – Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland.
By State Groups
Southern States (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saarland):
- Assumption of Mary (Mariä Himmelfahrt): Friday, 15 August 2026.
- All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen): Friday, 1 November 2026. Bavaria has the most, totalling 13 holidays.
Eastern States (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia):
- Reformation Day (Reformationstag): Tuesday, 31 October 2026. Saxony-Anhalt also has Epiphany.
Western States (Hesse, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate):
- Corpus Christi as above.
- All Saints’ in Rhineland-Palatinate and parts of NRW.
Northern/Coastal (Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony): Fewer extras; focus on federal.
Central (Berlin, Brandenburg): Reformation Day; Berlin treats 31 Oct as holiday.
For a full state-by-state calendar, check official sites like the German Federal Statistical Office or state portals. Apps like ‘Feiertage’ provide custom alerts.
Long Weekends and Bridge Days in 2026
Strategic planning maximises time off:
- Easter (3-6 April): 4-day weekend.
- Labour Day (1 May Fri): Extend to Tue 5 May.
- Ascension (14 May Thu): Fri off for 4 days.
- Whit Monday (25 May): Post-Spring bank holiday vibe.
- Christmas (25-26 Dec Fri-Sat): Take 24th Thu for longer break, though 28 Dec not standard.
‘Bridge days’ (Brückentage) are unofficial but popular – book annual leave wisely.
Impact on Businesses and Schools
Banks and post offices close on all holidays. Public transport runs reduced schedules. Schools follow state calendars, often aligning with holidays plus summer breaks (July-August, varying by Land). Factories and offices shut down over Christmas-New Year.
For remote workers or freelancers, note varying closures.
Travel Tips for British Visitors
Flying from UK airports like Heathrow or Manchester? Book around holidays:
- Avoid Easter and Christmas peaks.
- Ryanair/EasyJet routes to Berlin, Munich see surges.
Train via Eurostar to Cologne, then ICE. Roads busy on Fridays before holidays.
Expats: Register residence for updates. Dual UK-German families note school term differences.
Comparing German and UK Bank Holidays 2026
For Brits, here’s how they align (UK facts from gov.uk):
| Date | Germany | UK |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year (Thu) | New Year’s Day (Thu, all UK) |
| 2 Jan | - | Scotland only (Fri) |
| 3 Apr | Good Friday (Fri) | Good Friday (Fri, all) |
| 6 Apr | Easter Mon (Mon) | Easter Mon (Mon, Eng/Wales/NI; not Scotland) |
| 1 May | Labour Day (Fri) | - |
| 4 May | - | Early May (Mon, all) |
| 14 May | Ascension (Thu) | - |
| 25 May | Whit Mon (Mon) | Spring (Mon, all) |
| 3 Aug | - | Summer Scotland (Mon) |
| 31 Aug | - | Summer Eng/Wales/NI (Mon) |
| 30 Nov | - | St Andrew’s Scotland (Mon) |
| 25 Dec | Christmas (Fri) | Christmas (Fri) |
| 26 Dec | Boxing (Sat) | Boxing (Sat); substitute Mon 28 Dec |
Key Differences:
- Germany has mid-May extras (Ascension, Whit) vs UK’s later Spring/Summer.
- No August holiday in Germany, unlike UK.
- Scotland’s 2 Jan and St Andrew’s absent in Germany.
- 2026 Labour Day (1 May Fri) unique to Germany, perfect for city breaks.
UK’s substitute days (e.g. 28 Dec Mon) extend breaks where Germany’s weekends don’t.
Plan joint holidays: Easter matches perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Germans get paid on bank holidays? Yes, if scheduled to work. Are shops open? No on Sundays/holidays, exceptions in tourist areas. How many holidays total? 10-13 per state. COVID changes? None expected; check for 2026.
Conclusion
Mastering German bank holidays 2026 ensures smooth plans. Whether hiking Bavarian Alps over Ascension or visiting Berlin on Unity Day, time it right. Compare to UK’s schedule for cross-border ease – Easter syncs, but watch May differences.
Bookmark this guide, set calendar reminders and enjoy! For updates, visit bundesregierung.de or state sites. Safe travels from the UK.
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