How much vacation for a 6-day workweek?

In the six-day workweek model, the legally mandated minimum Vacation in Germany is 24 working days. A working day includes all calendar days from Monday to Saturday. Therefore, with a six-day workweek, you receive the same minimum Vacation as someone with a five-day workweek, although it appears to be more. Labor law does not distinguish between the actual number of working days per week in this regard.

The basic regulation is based on the *Federal Vacation Act* (BUrlG), which applies to all employees in Germany. This ensures that every employee, regardless of specific aspects of their employment relationship, receives at least 24 days off. Of course, contractual agreements or collective agreements can increase this minimum entitlement. Sometimes you receive additional Vacation days to account for higher workloads.

A typical example: If you work in retail or trade professions where six-day weeks are common, additional days off are often contractually stipulated. This particularly applies to professions with more intense work rhythms and service times, which can pose a higher burden.

Holiday rules vary: If a public holiday falls on a regular working day, the obligation to work is waived. These days shorten your workweek and do not count as Vacation days.

To always know your individual entitlement, it’s recommended to check your specific employment or collective agreement. This ensures that your Vacation days are calculated correctly and fairly.