
In 2025, you may be wondering how many vacation days you will have. In Germany, there is a law on vacation for employees. It ensures that you have enough time to relax.
The law says that if you work 6 days a week, you get at least 24 working days’ vacation. If you work 5 days a week, you get 20 days. You have to work for at least six months to get your vacation. Many employers give you even more vacation than the law stipulates.
Part-time employees get their vacation according to the days they work. There are also special rules for young people and the severely disabled. It is important that you know what you are entitled to as an employee.
Key findings
- Statutory minimum vacation: 24 working days for a 6-day week
- 20 vacation days for a 5-day week
- Full vacation entitlement after 6 months of employment
- Part-time employees have pro rata entitlement
- Special regulations for young people and severely disabled persons
Legal basis for vacation entitlement
The Federal Leave Act is important for leave entitlement in Germany. It guarantees all employees a minimum amount of leave, regardless of whether they work part-time or full-time.
Federal Leave Act and minimum leave
The law gives everyone who works 6 days a week 24 days’ leave. Those who work 5 days a week get 20 days. Many companies even offer 30 days of vacation on a voluntary basis.
Special regulations for vulnerable groups
There are special rules for certain groups. Severely disabled people get 5 additional days’ leave. Young people have 25 to 30 days’ leave, depending on their age. These rules protect particularly hard-working employees.
Vacation calculation for different working models
Leave is calculated on a pro rata basis for part-time and full-time employees. Mini-jobbers are also entitled to vacation. The calculation is based on the number of working days per week.
Work model | Vacation entitlement |
---|---|
Full-time (5-day week) | 20 days minimum vacation |
Part-time (3-day week) | 12 days minimum vacation |
Mini job (1-day week) | 4 days minimum vacation |
Special leave is available if you are unable to work through no fault of your own. Leave not taken can be carried over until March 31 of the following year. You can receive vacation pay in lieu of notice.
How much vacation am I entitled to Table
The vacation table shows you your vacation entitlement at a glance. Your entitlement to rest depends on your weekly working days. Let’s take a look at the details.
Vacation entitlement by working days per week
Your vacation entitlement varies depending on your working hours. If you work a 5-day week, you are entitled to 20 days’ vacation. If you work six days, your entitlement increases to 24 days. The following table gives you an overview:
Working days per week | Vacation entitlement per year |
---|---|
1 | 4 |
2 | 8 |
3 | 12 |
4 | 16 |
5 | 20 |
6 | 24 |
Additional leave for severely disabled persons
Severely disabled employees receive an additional 5 days’ leave per year. This entitlement is in addition to your regular vacation entitlement and provides extra recovery time.
Vacation entitlement for trainees
Special rules apply to trainees. Your vacation entitlement depends on your age. With a 5-day week, you can expect 25 to 30 days of vacation. You can find out the exact number from your training company.
Remember: if you work during the year, your vacation will be calculated pro rata. This ensures that you get a fair amount of time off, no matter when you start or stop working.
The vacation is annual:
- at least 30 working days (25 working days) if the young person is under the age of 16 at the start of the calendar year
- at least 27 working days (23 working days) if the young person is under the age of 17 at the start of the calendar year
- at least 25 working days (21 working days) if the young person is not yet 18 years old at the beginning of the calendar year
Special vacation regulations in the employment relationship
There are special situations in working life that affect vacation entitlement. We look at the most important rules for probationary periods, parental leave and dismissal.
Leave during the probationary period
You build up your vacation entitlement during the probationary period. You receive one twelfth of your annual leave per month. After six months, you are entitled to the full annual leave. With a 5-day week, this is at least 20 days.
Vacation entitlement during parental leave and maternity leave
Leave continues to accumulate during parental leave. The employer can reduce your leave by one twelfth per month. Your leave entitlement remains unchanged during maternity leave.
Leave arrangements in the event of termination
If you are dismissed, you must take your remaining leave or have it paid out. Important: After six months of employment, you are entitled to your full annual leave, even if you are dismissed.
Situation | Vacation regulations |
---|---|
Probationary period | 1/12 of the annual leave per month |
Parental leave | Reduction of 1/12 per month possible |
Maternity protection | Full vacation entitlement remains |
Notice of termination | Take or pay outremaining vacation |
Conclusion
Vacation planning is important for employees in Germany. They have 24 working days of vacation per year if they work 6 days a week. If you work 5 days a week, that’s 20 days.
Many employers give more vacation. On average, full-time employees have 28.3 days of vacation.
How much vacation you get depends on your working hours. Part-time employees get less, depending on how many days they work. Vacation also varies depending on the industry and size of the company.
The capital goods industry offers the most vacation, 30.5 days. In the hotel and catering industry it is less, only 26.2 days.
Employers must give more than just the minimum amount of leave. They must also calculate and transfer leave correctly. Since 2023, they have to point out expiring leave.
These changes show how important vacation planning and management are. They help to protect employee rights and improve operations.