Germany
Germany guarantees 20 working days (5-day week) or 24 working days minimum (BUrlG §3). In practice, collective agreements and companies offer 25-30 days. The EFZG (Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz) system maintains 100% pay for 6 weeks of sick leave.
Annual paid leave
BUrlG §3 — 20 days minFederal Holiday Act (BUrlG) §3: 20 working days minimum on 5-day week (24 on 6-day). In practice, many firms offer 25-30 days via Tarifvertrag or contract. Under 18: 25-30 days. Severely disabled: +5 days.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 20 j ouvrés (5j/sem) | 100% | BUrlG §3 |
| Accrual | 6 months (waiting period) | — | Pro rata before |
| Termination before Jun 30 | 50% | 100% | BUrlG §5 |
| Unused balance | Carried until Mar 31 N+1 | — | Else lost |
| Severely disabled (GdB ≥50) | +5 j | 100% | SGB IX §208 |
| Minors | 25-30 j | 100% | JArbSchG |
Public holidays
9 federal + 1-4 per state9 federal public holidays + 1-4 per state (Bavaria, BW have +4 vs Berlin/Bremen). Pay continued if on working day (LohnFG). Berlin has March 8 (Women’s Day) since 2019.
| Day | Date | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 janvier | New Year | All states | — |
| March-April | Good Friday | Federal | — |
| March-April | Easter Monday | Federal | — |
| 1 mai | Labour Day | Federal | — |
| May | Christi Himmelfahrt | Federal | Ascension |
| May-Jun | Pfingstmontag | Federal | Pentecôte |
| May-Jun | Fronleichnam | Catholic states | — |
| 3 octobre | German Unity Day | Federal | — |
| 31 octobre | Reformation Day | Protestant + states | — |
| 1 novembre | All Saints | Catholic states | — |
| 25 décembre | Christmas Day | Federal | — |
| 26 décembre | Boxing Day | Federal | — |
| 8 mars | Int’l Women’s Day | Berlin (since 2019) | — |
Sick leave
EFZG 6 wks · Krankengeld afterEFZG §3: salary maintained at 100% by employer for 6 weeks of sick leave. Beyond: Krankengeld (health insurance) at 70% gross (capped 90% net) for max 78 weeks over 3 years. Sick note from day 4 (day 1 if requested by employer).
| Scenario | Waiting | Pay | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 6 weeks | 0 j | 100% (EFZG) | By employer |
| Wks 7-78 | 0 j | 70% brut (max 90% net) | Sickness benefit |
| Sick child | 0 j | Krankengeld (90%) | 10 days/yr/child |
| Work accident | 0 j | 100% (Berufsgenossenschaft) | No EFZG limit |
Maternity, paternity, parental
MuSchG 14 wks · BEEG 36 monthsMaternity Protection Act (MuSchG): 14 weeks maternity leave (6 pre + 8 post-birth, 12 if twins/premature). Pay up to €13/day from health insurance + employer top-up (average salary). Parental Leave (BEEG) up to 36 months with Elterngeld (65-67% of net income, €300-1800/month, 12-14 months).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity (6+8 wks) | 14 sem (12 si jumeaux) | 100% (caisse + employeur) | MuSchG |
| Protection period | 6 wks pre + 8 wks post | 100% | Job-protected |
| Parental Leave | 36 mois max | Elterngeld 65-67% net | 12-14 months paid |
| ElterngeldPlus | Jusqu’à 28 mois | 32-50% net | Parent sharing |
| Adoption | 8 wks | Comme mat. | — |
| Partner months | Within Elternzeit | +2 mois Elterngeld bonus | Si partage > 2 mois |
Special leaves
BGB §616BGB §616 — short paid leave for brief personal impediments (marriage, birth, death, moving). Duration and pay vary per Tarifvertrag or internal rules. No federal standard.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | 1-3 j | 100% BGB §616 | Souvent Tarifvertrag |
| Birth of child | 1-2 j | 100% | Père/partenaire |
| Close death (parent/spouse) | 1-3 j | 100% | Variable |
| Moving | 1 j | Variable | Souvent payé |
| Medical exam | Selon nécessité | Variable | BGB §616 |
| Sick child < 12 | 10 j/an/parent (20 si solo) | Krankengeld 90% | SGB V §45 |
| Care leave | Jusqu’à 6 mois | Sans solde | PflegeZG |
Information current as of last update. This guide does not replace local legal advice. For specific situations, consult a labor lawyer in the relevant country.
Centralize Germany absence management
Illizeo automates BUrlG + EFZG + MuSchG + BEEG (Elternzeit) with per-state holiday management and eAU.
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