Is a continuous 3-week vacation legally regulated?

In German labor law, it is stipulated that employees are entitled to a minimum number of Vacation days per year. The legally required minimum Vacation is 24 working days. However, there is no explicit legal provision that mandates this Vacation to be taken in a three-week block.

Nevertheless, the Federal Vacation Act (BUrlG) states that Vacation should generally be granted consecutively to ensure a recuperative effect. Section 7, paragraph 2 of the BUrlG indicates that Vacation should be granted consecutively unless urgent operational reasons or reasons related to the employee require a different arrangement. This implies that consecutive Vacation is aimed for. Several consecutive weeks, which can also include three weeks, are therefore quite legitimate and in line with the law.

The employer must always consider operational needs while respecting the wishes of the employees, as long as there are no urgent operational requirements to the contrary. If there are no specific operational reasons against a three-week vacation, it can certainly be granted.

Legally speaking, an employee could theoretically receive three weeks of Vacation at once. Often, the exact modalities are regulated in employment contracts, works agreements, or collective bargaining agreements. These may contain specific provisions for Vacation arrangements that are recognized by the legislator as a minimum standard and may vary individually.

Such agreements may contain additional provisions beyond the BUrlG. Therefore, it is always worthwhile to consult such agreements and, if necessary, have a direct conversation with the employer to clarify the desired consecutive vacation.