Leave policy in Germany

When hiring in Germany, it’s crucial to know the country’s comprehensive leave policy and understand exactly how much time off employees are legally entitled to. Understanding vacation, public holidays, sick leave, maternity, and parental provisions is key to staying compliant. 

This guide provides a detailed overview of leave policy in Germany for employers looking to hire German talent. 

Vacation leave policy in Germany

The Federal Holidays Act stipulates that all German employees who work a 5-day work week are entitled to a minimum of 20 vacation days per year, and those working a 6-day week get 24 vacation days (excluding public holidays). 

Public holidays

There are 9 federal public holidays in Germany, though different states in the country may celebrate additional regional holidays. 

On a public holiday, employees are typically entitled to their usual rate of paid leave. If, however, they are required to work on a bank holiday, they may be entitled to an additional day’s vacation or overtime pay. 

Federal Public Holiday	Date
New Year’s Day	January 1st
Good Friday	Friday before Easter Sunday
Easter Monday	Day changes every year
Labor Day	May 1st
Ascension Day	Day changes every year
Whit Monday	Day changes every year
Day of German Unity	October 3rd
Christmas Day	December 25th
Saint Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)	December 26th

Sick leave

Employees typically receive statutory sick pay for the first 6 weeks of an illness. This sick pay is the equivalent of their full, regular pay and is paid by the employer. 

If a physical or mental illness prevents an employee from performing their duties, they can take sick leave, though they must inform their employer immediately. Following 3 consecutive days of sick leave, the employee must provide a doctor’s note to their employer. 

After the first 6 weeks, the employee’s health insurance takes over the payments, paying at a rate of 70% of the employee’s gross salary, but no more than 90% of the net salary.  

Maternity leave policy in Germany

Pregnant employees in Germany are entitled to a total of 14 weeks of maternity leave (Mutterschutzgesetz). The maternity leave policy in Germany is broken up into two parts:

• 6 weeks before the birth
• 8 weeks after the birth

If the child is born disabled or the employee has multiple births, they’re entitled to 12 weeks after the birth (an additional 4 weeks). 

The mother may elect to continue working right up to the birth of the child, though this must be stated in writing. However, they must not work for the 8 weeks following the birth. 

In Germany, it’s illegal to terminate a pregnant employee during the statutory maternity period (SMP), which is up to 12 weeks before the expected date of birth and up to 8 weeks after the birth of the child. 

Maternity pay is split between the employer and the employee’s health insurer. Statutory health insurers pay EUR 13.00 (tax-free) per day, with the employer making up most, if not all, of the remaining salary. The relevant authorities may then reimburse this. 

Parental leave policy in Germany

Germany grants parental leave (Elternzeit) of 36 months to employees who are parents of young children. Parental leave (Elternzeit) can be taken for up to 3 years per child, until the child’s third birthday.

Parents on parental leave may work no more than 30 hours per week. Parental allowance is based on the parent’s average net monthly income over the 12 months preceding the leave and ranges from EUR 300 to EUR 1,800 per month.

Employer permission is required for parental leave taken when the child is between three and eight years old.

Other types of leave in Germany

Here are some of the other common leave policies offered by Germany:

Unpaid leave

While not mandated by law, German employees are usually given unpaid leave by their employers for personal reasons. 

Bereavement Leave

Employees may receive 2 days of bereavement leave in the event of a close relative’s death. 

Family Care Leave (Familienpflegezeit)

Employees may take up to 24 months of leave to care for a close relative in need of care at reduced pay. 

Explore Payoneer Workforce Management in Germany

Managing employee leave policy in Germany can be complex, with different leave types, contingencies, and statutory pay rates.

As an AuG-licensed company, Payoneer Workforce Management can help streamline the process, from onboarding to payroll.

Book a demo today!

FAQs

1) How much leave do you get in Germany?

Employees who work a 5-day work week are entitled to at least 20 vacation days, and those with a 6-day work week get 24 days. There are also 9 national public holidays, although this number varies by state. 

2) How many public holidays are there in Germany?

There are 9 national public holidays in Germany. Some German states may offer more. 

3) How many sick days do Germans get?

Employees receive 6 weeks of fully paid sick leave per illness. Following the initial six weeks, the employee’s health insurance assumes responsibility for payments. This payment is calculated at 70% of the employee’s gross salary, with a maximum cap of 90% of the net salary.