🇩🇪 Leave and Benefits in
Germany
Statutory leave entitlements and mandatory benefits for employers in Germany — annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity and public holidays.
Leave Entitlements at a Glance — Germany
Annual Leave
20 days
Sick Leave
42 days
Maternity Leave
14 weeks
Paternity Leave
—
Public Holidays
14 days
13th Month Pay
Not required
Statutory Leave Types
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| annual | 20 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| sick | 42 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| maternity | 14 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| paternity | — | No | — |
| parental | 156 days | Yes | 65% pay |
| bereavement | 2 days | Yes | 100% pay |
Public Holidays — Germany 2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2026 |
| Epiphany | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Good Friday | 3 Apr 2026 |
| Easter Monday | 6 Apr 2026 |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2026 |
| Ascension Day | 14 May 2026 |
| Whit Monday | 25 May 2026 |
| Corpus Christi | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Assumption of Mary | 15 Aug 2026 |
| German Unity Day | 3 Oct 2026 |
| Reformation Day | 31 Oct 2026 |
| All Saints' Day | 1 Nov 2026 |
| Christmas Day | 25 Dec 2026 |
| Boxing Day | 26 Dec 2026 |
Mandatory Employer Benefits — Germany
Legally required employer contributions and benefits under Germany law.
| Benefit | Type | Employer Cost | Frequency | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Long-term Care Insurance (Pflegeversicherung) Employer pays 1.8% (1.35% in Saxony). Employee rate is 3.4% (childless over 23: 4.0%). Rate applies up to the health insurance ceiling. | Cash | 1.8% | monthly | Exempt |
Statutory Accident Insurance (Unfallversicherung) Fully employer-funded. Rate varies by sector and Berufsgenossenschaft. Typical range is 0.5% to 8% of gross wages. No employee contribution. | Cash | Varies | annual | Exempt |
Statutory Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung) Employer pays 7.3% of gross salary up to the contribution ceiling (EUR 62,100/year in 2024), plus half of the supplementary rate averaging ~0.85%. | In Kind | 7.3% | monthly | Exempt |
Statutory Pension Insurance (Rentenversicherung) Employer pays 9.3% of gross salary up to the pension insurance ceiling (West: EUR 90,600/year in 2024). Employee pays equal rate. | Cash | 9.3% | monthly | Exempt |
Unemployment Insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung) Employer pays 1.3% of gross salary up to the pension ceiling. Employee pays equal rate. Administered by the Federal Employment Agency. | Cash | 1.3% | monthly | Exempt |
EOR Intelligence
Manage leave compliance in Germany via EOR.
An Employer of Record administers all statutory leave and benefits on your behalf.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Leave entitlements in Germany are subject to change. Always consult a qualified local employment lawyer.
About This Guide
- ✓ Sourced from official government publications
- ✓ Updated monthly — always current rules
- ✓ For guidance only — not legal advice
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