What are the rules on getting time off work in Germany at Christmas?

Are you allowed to book time off around Christmas? And what days are public holidays? These are the kinds of questions residents in Germany may be wondering about as we head into December. We look at what the law says, and what else to consider.

What time off is guaranteed?

The first thing to note is that there are a few nationwide public holidays for the festive season.

These are: Christmas Day (December 25th) and Boxing Day (December 26th) - which is actually known as the 'second Christmas Day' in Germany. New Year's Day (January 1st) is also an official Feiertag. On these days shops are closed and the vast majority of businesses are shut. Most people will get a day off work on these days. 

However, some employees will have it written into their contracts that they may be required to work on these days. This can apply, for instance, to emergency workers or those in the transport sector or hotels industry. For some workers, a bonus or extra pay for coming in on public holidays will apply, but that is not written into German law. 

READ ALSO: How employees in Germany can make the most of public holidays in 2025

What about Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve?

Despite Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) being the main celebration day for Germans, it is actually not a public holiday - and neither is New Year's Eve (Silvester).

In 2025, they each fall on Wednesday, so employees are generally obliged to work, and anyone who wants the time off has to book a holiday in advance.

But many employees are given a full or half-day off either as a gesture from employers, or it may be written into their collective agreement or contract. 

By the way, Germany's Federal Holiday Act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz or BUrlG) does not recognise half days of annual leave. In theory, employees have to use a full day of vacation even if it's just a half day. But in practice it is common for half days of vacation to be granted by employers.

Can I decide my own holidays at Christmas?

Employees in Germany can often set their vacation days according to their own wishes, as long as they let their company know in advance.

However, the employer has the final right to decide on holidays. For example, if cover is needed over Christmas because too many people want to be off at the same time, you may get your leave request rejected. However, managers cannot arbitrarily reject vacation requests. 

German lawyers say that if the workload at a company is particularly high at the turn of the year, the employer can also impose a holiday ban for operational reasons - but they would have to communicate that with employees as soon as possible. 

In some companies, offices close for one or two weeks over Christmas and New Year - a so-called 'company holiday' or Betriebsurlaub. Employees usually have to keep vacation days for this purpose.

However, this cannot be ordered by bosses spontaneously. Employers must always announce planned company holidays in good time so workers have enough time to prepare and adjust their plans. It should be announced at least six months in advance, according to German lawyers.

The best thing to do is check with your HR department or manager if you have any questions. 

Can I get a Christmas bonus?

Unfortunately, a Christmas cash bonus is not something everyone gets. There is no law that regulates who receives special payments and how high they are, according to a guide by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). However, a claim can arise from a collective agreement, works agreement or employment contract. 

Many employees get what's known as Weihnachtsgeld or 'Christmas money'. This is an annual bonus that gets paid out each winter. Around 55 percent of German workers receive it on top of their salary each year.

READ ALSO: What employees in Germany. need to know about Weihnachtsgeld

There is also no law saying the employer has to hold a Christmas party, offering food and drinks on the company. Plus, employees are not obliged to attend if the event takes place outside of working hours.

How many holiday days am I legally entitled to anyway?

In Germany the number of days off you're entitled to as an employee depends on how often you work.

Workers who do a six-day work week have the right to an annual minimum of 24 vacation days per year.

For employees who work five days a week, it's 20 days of holiday per year and for those with a four-day week it's 16 days per year.

People who work three days a week get 12 vacation days each year; a two-day week entitles an employee to eight vacation days; a one-day work week means you have the right to four days off.

But these figures are only the minimum. Depending on the collective agreement you have with your employer, you could have more vacation days than the legal minimum. In many occupations and industries across the country, for instance, 30 days annual paid leave is common.