What's open and what's closed in Germany over the New Year Holiday?

Don't forget that New Year's Day is a Feiertag, or national holiday.

This means that banks, supermarkets, immigration offices, post offices and most other regular businesses will be closed on Wednesday this week.

New Year's Eve, on Tuesday, is also generally treated like a holiday (if not an officially on the working calendar) and will see the closure of many businesses and services. 

Then, just after the new year's first weekend comes Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, on Monday January 6th. This traditionally Catholic holiday is not a national holiday in Germany, but is a public holiday in the states of in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt.

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Are shops open on New Year's Eve?

Given December 31st is not a public holiday, supermarkets will be open on Tuesday morning - should you need to stock up on groceries before the holiday or grab a bottle of wine for end of year celebrations at the last minute.

But note that many supermarket locations will be operating on reduced hours, with grocers like Edeka, Lidl, Rewe and Aldi closing at 2pm or at the latest 4pm. 

Shopping on the day before a holiday is always a bit hectic, and the reduced hours on New Year's Eve will only intensify the lines. To avoid the rush, try and get your shopping done on Monday or early on Tuesday morning if possible.

Some local shops and restaurants may also close early on the last day of the year so that their staff can join their friends and family to celebrate Silvester.

What's open on New Year's Day?

New Year's Day being the official public holiday, don't expect to find much open on the first day of 2025. The first day of the new year in Germany is largely treated as a day for peaceful reflection - which can come as a stark contrast to the festive  parties of the night before.

That said, you can expect that the types of businesses which stay open on Sundays and public holidays may also remain open on New Year's Day. These include some Döner kebab and snack kiosks, and Spätis or corner markets, in urban areas.

If you really need something from the grocery store on Wednesday, there are usually some options, especially in bigger cities. Supermarkets located in main train stations, such as those in a city's Hauptbahnhof (or also in big stations like Südkreuz or Ostbahnhof in Berlin) are legally allowed to operate on Sundays and holidays and many of them do.

Additionally you may check your local ethnic market. For example, the Go Asia market location on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin is open 365 days a year.

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Some, but not all, restaurants may also be open. But its worth double checking before you head out.

Hotels also generally remain open on both New Years Eve and New Year's Day, but it'd be advisable to make reservations in advance.

Pharmacies and doctors' offices will largely be closed on Wednesday, and many of them may close early if they are open on Tuesday. For non-emergency medical assistance you can call 116 117. (In a medical emergency, call 112 for help, or 110 for police.) 

Getting around

Public transportation as well as long-distance trains and buses will still run on the holiday, but many routes may run on a reduced schedule. 

Berlin's BVG, for example, will run on its Saturday timetable on New Year's Eve and its Sunday / holiday timetable on New Year's Day.

Similar service reductions can be expected elsewhere in Germany. Check for local restrictions at your local transport company's website, or with your trusted navigation app.