5-day week vacation?

Yes, a 5-day week also applies to vacation. With a 5-day week in Germany, you typically have a certain number of Vacation days set by your employment contract or collective agreement. Usually, you are entitled to at least 20 days of paid vacation if you work full-time. This minimum Vacation is based on the Federal Vacation Act (BUrlG), which states that employees with a 5-day week are entitled to four weeks of recreational leave.

However, many employers in Germany offer more generous Vacation policies, often 25 to 30 days per year. The exact entitlement can vary depending on the industry, company agreements, or individual contract conditions.

An important consideration is that public holidays play a role in Vacation planning but do not directly affect the number of Vacation days. If a public holiday falls on a regular working day, it is not counted as a Vacation day and you do not have to deduct it from your Vacation quota. However, an extra Vacation day is not added because of this.

When planning your vacation, you should always remember that your employer can refuse or postpone Vacation under certain conditions, particularly if operational needs take precedence or other colleagues have priority. Many companies also request early Vacation applications to avoid staffing shortages.

In summary, the number of Vacation days in a 5-day week depends on legal regulations and company agreements, with the minimum entitlement in Germany being 20 days annually.