Every employee is entitled to paid holiday. What matters is requesting it in advance.
The essentials
- By law at least 20 days a year with a 5-day week.
- Your employment contract or collective agreement can give you more.
- You get the full entitlement for the first time after 6 months in the company. Before that, you get a proportional share.
- Wish for holiday
- Request holiday
- Wait for approval
- Take holiday
Holiday should be taken in the current year. For certain reasons it can be carried over, usually until the end of March. Your contract or collective agreement may set details.
If you fall ill during holiday and get a doctor's certificate, those days do not count as holiday. Tell your employer straight away.
When your job ends, you receive a certificate of the holiday you have taken, so it is not counted twice at your new employer.
There is usually no right to it. It is mostly only possible if you agree it with your employer. It can affect your insurance – ask beforehand.
MeaNext explains general rules about work in Germany. This information does not replace individual legal advice. In a specific case, your employment contract, collective agreement, works agreement and personal circumstances can be decisive.
Last expert review: 09/10/2026
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