Many employees must submit their holiday plans for the entire year as early as January. It makes sense to plan wisely and make the most of your vacation days….
To maximize your days off, you should consider bridge days (Brückentage) when planning. This strategy can often double the number of days off you get.
In 2025, 23 vacation days can turn into 56 full days off!
The following overview lists public holidays that apply nationwide. Some regions have additional holidays that provide extra bridge day opportunities.
Easter Break
Since Good Friday and Easter Monday create two short workweeks in a row, Easter remains one of the most popular times for vacations. By taking eight vacation days, you can enjoy 16 days off in total.
Labor Day and Ascension Day
May is one of the most beloved months in Germany. This is not only due to the start of the wedding season or typically pleasant weather, but mainly because it offers several public holidays.
Both May 1st (Labor Day) and Ascension Day fall on a Thursday in 2025. This means that by taking just two vacation days, you can enjoy two long weekends.
Pentecost Break
If you combine Pentecost with Ascension Day (from May 24 to June 15), you can take 23 days off using only 13 vacation days.
However, Pentecost alone is also a great time to take a break: by taking four vacation days, you can get nine consecutive days off.
German Unity Day
In 2025, German Unity Day (October 3rd) falls on a Friday. This means that by taking just four vacation days, you can enjoy nine full days off.
Christmas Holidays
Taking time off over Christmas is a priority for most employees in Germany.
With Christmas Day (December 25th) and Boxing Day (December 26th) falling on a Thursday and Friday, taking just three vacation days allows for a long holiday break.
Public Holidays Overview
Bavaria ranks first in terms of public holidays. If you fully utilize bridge days in southern Germany, you can enjoy up to 70 days off with just 28 vacation days used.
Public Holiday Date Federal States
New Year’s Day Wednesday, 01.01.2025 Nationwide
Epiphany Saturday, 06.01.2025 Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt
International Women’s Day Saturday, 08.03.2025 Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Good Friday Friday, 18.04.2025 Nationwide
Easter Sunday Sunday, 20.04.2025 Nationwide
Easter Monday Monday, 21.04.2025 Nationwide
Labor Day Thursday, 01.05.2025 Nationwide
80th Anniversary of WWII End Thursday, 08.05.2025 Berlin
Ascension Day Thursday, 29.05.2025 Nationwide
Pentecost Sunday Sunday, 08.06.2025 Nationwide
Pentecost Monday Monday, 09.06.2025 Nationwide
Corpus Christi Thursday, 19.06.2025 BW, Bavaria, Hesse, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland
Assumption Day Friday, 15.08.2025 Bavaria, Saarland
World Children’s Day Saturday, 20.09.2025 Thuringia
German Unity Day Friday, 03.10.2025 Nationwide
Reformation Day Friday, 31.10.2025 Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, MV, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia
All Saints’ Day Saturday, 01.11.2025 BW, Bavaria, NRW, RP, Saarland
Day of Prayer and Repentance Wednesday, 19.11.2025 Saxony
Christmas Day Thursday, 25.12.2025 Nationwide
Boxing Day Friday, 26.12.2025 Nationwide
By planning your vacation wisely, you can significantly extend your time off in 2025. Take advantage of bridge days to get the most out of your annual leave.
