Germany Public Holidays 2026

Germany has nine public holidays that apply nationwide in 2026. Some fall on fixed dates every year; others shift because they're tied to Easter.

Whether you're an expat, a frequent business traveller or working remotely with a German team, knowing these dates in advance saves last-minute scrambling. Below you'll find the full 2026 calendar, state-specific additions and a quick note on Germany's time zone.

Germany's 2026 Public Holidays

These nine days are official public holidays in all sixteen federal states. Schools, government offices and most shops close.

Regional Holidays by State (Bundesland)

Germany's federal structure means state parliaments set additional holidays independently. The Catholic-heavy south has the most: Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg observe several religious days that Berlin or Hamburg treat as ordinary working days.

• 6 January — Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige): Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt.
• 4 June 2026 — Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam): predominantly Catholic states.
• 31 October — Reformation Day (Reformationstag): most northern and eastern states.
• 1 November — All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen): Catholic-majority states.

Depending on which state you're in, the total annual count ranges from 9 to 13. Bavaria consistently has the most.

Germany's Time Zone

Germany observes Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from the last Sunday of March through the last Sunday of October. Clocks go forward one hour in spring and back in autumn.

If you're in the UK, Germany is one hour ahead all year. The US East Coast is six hours behind Germany in winter, five in summer. France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands share Germany's time zone, so cross-border calls within continental Western Europe need no adjustment.

What's Open on Public Holidays?

German law (Ladenschlussgesetz) requires shops to close on public holidays — the same rule applies on Sundays. Exceptions cover shops inside main train stations and airports, duty pharmacies and petrol stations.

Good Friday and a handful of other days carry 'still holiday' (stiller Feiertag) status in most states. Dancing, loud concerts and similar events face legal restrictions on those dates. Worth checking local rules if you're planning an event around Good Friday.

Brief Notes and Traditions

Germany's Christmas season is the most elaborate in continental Europe. Advent markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) open in city squares from early December, drawing visitors with mulled wine (Glühwein), roasted nuts and wooden stalls. German Unity Day on 3 October — marking the 1990 reunification — sees street festivals and concerts in most cities.