The year 2026 is set to be slightly less favorable for employees in Germany, with a higher number of workdays compared to 2025. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the nationwide average will reach 250.5 workdays, representing 2.4 additional days over the current year.
The increase is primarily due to public holidays such as October 3rd (German Unity Day) and December 26th, which will fall on weekends in 2026. Because public holidays vary across federal states, the nationwide average of workdays includes fractional values to reflect these differences.
The number of workdays can influence the gross domestic product (GDP). Destatis notes a general rule of thumb: each additional workday can increase GDP by roughly 0.1 percentage points. However, the actual impact depends on the timing of the extra workdays.
Days between Christmas Eve and New Year’s typically see minimal economic activity across many industries, reducing their effect on GDP. Conversely, if a holiday such as October 3rd falls on a weekend, the absence of that workday has a greater economic significance than a holiday near the end of the year.
The projected 250.5 workdays in 2026 represent the highest average since 2022, when there were 251.4 workdays. Historically, the most workdays since German reunification occurred in 2004, with an average of 252.8 days, while the fewest were recorded in 1991, with 246.9 days. A notable factor affecting workdays is the abolition of the Day of Repentance and Prayer as a public holiday in all federal states except Saxony in 1995, which contributed to an overall increase in workdays in subsequent years.
With the upcoming increase in workdays, German employees will experience slightly longer work year, with potential implications for both productivity and economic output.
Now that you know how weekend holidays impact the 2026 work year, dive into our full month-by-month holiday list for a clearer overview of all national and regional holidays in 2026.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
