German statutory holiday entitlement calculator
24 Werktage are not 24 working days: a Werktag is any day other than a Sunday or public holiday, so a six-day week. On a five-day week the entitlement is 20 days.
2026 rules — verified on September 21, 2026Free, no account
This content is part of the path: Hiring your first employee in Germany· Step 6 of 10· Next step: German payroll tax filing period — month, quarter or year
Your result
Fill in the fields, then run the calculation: the full breakdown appears here, free of charge.
Sources and assumptions
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BUrlG § 3 Abs. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Der Urlaub beträgt jährlich mindestens 24 Werktage. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BUrlG § 3 Abs. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Als Werktage gelten alle Kalendertage, die nicht Sonn- oder gesetzliche Feiertage sind. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BUrlG § 5 Abs. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Anspruch auf ein Zwölftel des Jahresurlaubs für jeden vollen Monat des Bestehens des Arbeitsverhältnisses »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BUrlG § 5 Abs. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Bruchteile von Urlaubstagen, die mindestens einen halben Tag ergeben, sind auf volle Urlaubstage aufzurunden. »
Calculation assumptions
- This is the statutory MINIMUM — a contract or collective agreement may grant more.
- Only full months of employment are counted (BUrlG s. 5(1)).
- Excludes additional leave for severely disabled employees and the special rules for young workers.
Go further
Understand this calculation: the related course
Related calculators
Neighbouring calculations: the other side of the same decision, or the step that follows.
- German notice period calculator — the length-of-service ladder
- Working time — eight hours, ten, or not permitted at all?
- German sick pay — six weeks and when they start again
- Holiday for young workers in Germany — 30, 27 or 25 Werktage
- German payment in lieu of untaken leave — when employment ends
- German holiday pay — average of the last 13 weeks
- German additional leave for severely disabled employees — SGB IX s. 208
This result is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Check your situation with the tax authorities or a professional.