Germany Marks Pentecost Monday as a Nationwide Holiday in 2026
Pentecost Monday will be observed as a statutory public holiday across Germany on 25 May 2026. The date changes each year, but its status as a nationwide day off remains fixed. Schools, government offices, and many businesses will close for the occasion. Employees who normally work on Mondays will receive a paid day off. The holiday does not reduce their annual leave entitlement, even if it falls on a regular workday. Some sectors, like hospitality and healthcare, may still operate as usual.
Germany’s next public holiday after Pentecost Monday will be German Unity Day on 3 October. For Christians, the following major observance is Corpus Christi, which takes place on a Thursday. The holiday is also recognised in Austria and in many Swiss cantons, though not everywhere in Switzerland.
The break gives workers a mid-year pause without affecting their leave balance. Schools and daycare centres will remain shut, while essential services may continue running. The next nationwide day off in Germany will arrive in early October.
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