Germany Labor Law Guide 🇩🇪
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave based on a 5-day work week. Many employers provide 25-30 days.
Germany Labor Law Guide
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave based on a 5-day work week. Many employers provide 25-30 days.
Primary Legislation
Arbeitszeitgesetz (ArbZG)
Secondary Legislation
Arbeitszeitgesetz (ArbZG)
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Start Free TrialGeneral Statutory Framework
Essential compliance data regarding minimum entitlement and standard work hours in Germany.
Ref: BUrlG § 3Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave based on a 5-day work week. Many employers provide 25-30 days.
Accrual
Full entitlement accrues after 6 months of employment. Pro-rated in the first year.
Carry Over
Unused leave must be taken by March 31st of the following year, unless otherwise agreed.
Standard Week
40 hours
Max Weekly
48 hours
Max Daily
10 hours
Rest Period
11 consecutive hours between shifts.
Employment Contract & Termination
Notice Period
4 weeks notice during probation. Increases with tenure: 1 month after 2 years, up to 7 months after 20 years of service.
BGB § 622Probation Period
Maximum 6 months. During this time, either party can terminate with 2 weeks notice.
BGB § 622 (3)Core Labor Obligations
Operational rules regarding leave requests, sick pay, and public holiday work that every HR manager must know.
Ref: ArbZG § 5Leave Requests
Employer must approve leave requests. Notice periods vary by employer but typically 2-4 weeks.
Sick Pay
Employer pays 100% salary for up to 6 weeks, then health insurance pays 70% of gross salary.
Holiday Work
Working on public holidays typically requires premium pay (Sunday supplement) or compensatory time off.
Part-Time Calculation
Pro-rata based on working days, ensuring equal treatment.
Parental & Family Leave
Sick Pay & Compensation
Sick Pay
Employer pays 100% salary for the first 6 weeks of illness. Afterwards, health insurance pays sick pay (Krankengeld) at 70% of gross salary.
Source: EFZG § 3Specific Laws & Regulations
Unique regulations and legal concepts that distinguish the Germany labor market from others.
Sunday Work Ban
Working on Sundays is generally prohibited under ArbZG § 9, with exceptions for certain industries (healthcare, hospitality, etc.).
Written Proof (Nachweisgesetz)
Employers must provide written documentation of essential employment terms within one month of hiring.
Termination Protection (KSchG)
Employees with more than 6 months tenure in companies with >10 employees have protection against unfair dismissal.
Works Council (Betriebsrat)
Companies with 5+ employees can establish a works council with co-determination rights on working time, leave, and other matters.
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Relying on local counsel or static wikis for labor law compliance leaves you vulnerable. Leavo provides a single system of record that monitors statutory changes and updates your policies automatically.
- Single source of truth for legal data
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are employees compensated if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
No. If a public holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, there is no substitute day or additional compensation, unless specified by a collective agreement.
What happens if an employee falls ill during annual leave?
If the employee provides a medical certificate (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung), the sick days do not count as vacation days and the leave entitlement is restored.
Are public holidays paid time off?
Yes. Public holidays are paid non-working days for all employees. If required to work, employees receive premium pay or compensatory time off.
Looking for the holiday calendar?
View the official Germany public holiday list for 2025.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official government sources and legal counsel for compliance matters.
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