Introduction to Germany Bank Holidays 2026
If you’re planning a trip to Germany from the UK in 2026, understanding the country’s public holidays—known as gesetzliche Feiertage—is essential. Unlike the UK’s more uniform bank holidays, Germany’s holidays vary significantly by Bundesland (federal state). There are 10 nationwide holidays observed across all 16 states, plus additional regional ones, making a total of 9 to 13 days off per state.
These holidays mean banks, post offices, and many shops close, public transport may run reduced services, and popular tourist spots get crowded. For British travellers, it’s worth noting overlaps with UK bank holidays, such as Good Friday and Easter Monday. This guide lists all 2026 dates, compares them to UK equivalents, and offers practical tips. Dates are based on official calculations, with Easter confirmed for Sunday 5 April 2026.
Nationwide Public Holidays in Germany 2026
These apply everywhere in Germany. Note that if a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there’s no automatic substitute day off, unlike some UK practices.
- New Year’s Day (Neujahr): Thursday 1 January 2026
- Good Friday (Karfreitag): Friday 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag): Monday 6 April 2026
- Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit): Friday 1 May 2026
- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt): Thursday 14 May 2026
- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag): Monday 25 May 2026
- German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit): Saturday 3 October 2026 (falls on weekend, so limited impact)
- Christmas Day (1. Weihnachtsfeiertag): Friday 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day (2. Weihnachtsfeiertag): Saturday 26 December 2026 (weekend, minimal extra closure)
These nine days align closely with Christian traditions, reflecting Germany’s federal structure under Article 139 of the Basic Law.
State-Specific Public Holidays 2026
Germany’s 16 states add their own holidays, often tied to religious or historical events. Here’s a breakdown of the most common extras, with 2026 dates:
Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige, 6 January)
- Tuesday 6 January 2026
- Observed in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt
Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)
- Thursday 4 June 2026 (60 days after Easter Sunday)
- Observed in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, parts of others
Assumption of Mary (Mariä Himmelfahrt, 15 August)
- Tuesday 15 August? Wait, 15 Aug 2026 is Saturday.
- Observed in: Bavaria (some areas), Saarland
World Children’s Day? No, Reformation Day (Reformationstag, 31 October)
- Friday 31 October? 31 Oct 2026 is Saturday.
- Observed in: Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony (some)
All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen, 1 November)
- Sunday 1 November 2026 (weekend)
- Observed in: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland
Repentance and Prayer Day (Buß- und Bettag, variable)
- Wednesday 18 November 2026 (always Wednesday before last Sunday before Advent)
- Observed only in: Saxony
States like Berlin and Bremen have fewer extras, while Bavaria tops the list with 13 holidays. Always check your destination state via official sites like the German Federal Statistical Office or state portals.
Comparison: Germany vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
For UK residents, Germany’s 2026 holidays share Easter timing but diverge elsewhere. Here’s how they stack up against official UK bank holidays (sourced from gov.uk references):
| Date | Germany (Nationwide) | UK Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day (Thu) | New Year’s Day (Thu, all UK) |
| 3 Apr | Good Friday (Fri) | Good Friday (Fri, all UK) |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday (Mon) | Easter Monday (Mon, England/Wales/NI; not Scotland) |
| 1 May | Labour Day (Fri) | Early May (Mon 4 May, all UK) |
| 14 May | Ascension (Thu) | None |
| 25 May | Whit Monday (Mon) | Spring (Mon 25 May, all UK) – exact match! |
| 3 Aug | None | Summer (Mon 3 Aug, Scotland only) |
| 31 Aug | None | Summer (Mon 31 Aug, England/Wales/NI) |
| 30 Nov | None (St Andrew’s Mon, Scotland only) | St Andrew’s (Mon 30 Nov, Scotland) |
| 25-26 Dec | Christmas (Fri-Sat) | Christmas Fri, Boxing Sat; substitute Mon 28 Dec |
Key overlaps: New Year, Easter, and Whit Monday (Spring bank holiday). Germany skips a direct August holiday but has Ascension as a mid-May bonus. Scotland’s unique dates like 2 January (Fri 2026) and summer 3 August add nuance for travellers from there. Christmas substitutes in UK (28 Dec Mon) provide extra recovery time absent in Germany.
Impact on Travel and Business
Travel Tips for Brits Visiting Germany
Book flights and hotels early around clusters like Easter (3-6 April) or Whitsun (25 May). Ryanair and easyJet routes from UK airports to Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt see surges. Trains (Deutsche Bahn) offer Sparpreis deals but book ahead—holidays mean fewer seats.
Road trips? Autobahns are busy, but no speed limits thrill. Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam connect well. Expect markets and Christmas markets (from late Nov) packed—Advent starts 29 Nov 2026.
Shopping and Services
Supermarkets like Aldi/Lidl close on Sundays and holidays; Späti (late shops) in cities save the day. Banks shut all day; ATMs work. Pharmacies rotate 24/7 duty.
For Businesses and Expats
If running a UK-German operation, note Labour Day (1 May) protests possible. Remote workers: German colleagues off more Thursdays/Fridays, aiding long weekends. Payroll aligns with state laws—Bavaria’s extras boost time off.
Planning Ahead: Calendar Overview
Visualise 2026:
- Q1: Jan 1, Apr 3-6 (Easter long weekend)
- Q2: May 1, 14, 25 (three in two months!)
- Q3: Oct 3 (weekend)
- Q4: Dec 25-26
Total days off: Plan around 10-13 per state. Use tools like timeanddate.com or the Feiertage app for custom calendars.
Regional Highlights
- Bavaria (13 holidays): Add Epiphany, Corpus Christi, Assumption—Oktoberfest vibes year-round.
- Berlin (9-10): Minimal extras, urban hustle continues.
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Corpus Christi boosts Ruhr area breaks.
For precise lists, consult Bundesland websites (e.g., bayern.de for Bavaria).
Final Advice for 2026
Germany’s holidays blend tradition and federalism, offering Brits more mid-year breaks than the UK’s end-loaded calendar. Whether hiking the Black Forest on Ascension or skiing Alps post-Christmas, time visits between peaks. With Easter in early April 2026, spring travel aligns perfectly.
This guide equips you for seamless planning. Safe travels!
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