Q&A: What can workers in Germany be asked to do during vacation time?
work-life balance
very seriously, which is to say staunchly defending their off time, be it after work hours on weekdays or whilst on holiday.
But increasingly, there is evidence suggesting Germany's reputation for prioritising
Lebensfreude
(or the enjoyment of life) over working duties
may be slipping
.
For example, a recent
survey
found that more than half (57 percent) of Germans engage in at least occasional work while on vacation. Of those who did report working during their time off, roughly half said they had been contacted directly by their boss or a colleague. (Others checked-in on their own accord, or because they didn't have functioning cover while they were out.)
So what are the rules around working while on vacation in Germany?
Can my employer contact me while I'm on vacation?
Generally not.
Vacation is intended for recovery, and German labour rules maintain that employees are under no obligation to engage in work activities, or to be reachable by their boss or colleagues during this time.
Calls, emails, or messages do not need to be answered. Workers are fully entitled to switch off their company phone or laptop.
Can my employer ask me to be available anyway?
Only in very limited circumstances can you be asked to stay in contact by any means.
This might happen, for example, if on-call duty was explicitly agreed upon, or if your work contract allows for short-term schedule changes.
If neither of the above situations apply and you are asked to work or be reachable anyway, the vacation would not be considered properly granted. In this case the affected days wouldn't count toward vacation taken, and should be given again later.
However, this typically only applies for holidays that are exceeding Germany's statutory minimum allowance for the year.
According to the Federal Holidays Act, full-time workers in Germany are entitled to a statutory minimum of 20 days of paid holiday per year, based on a five-day working week. So if you've already taken at least 20 days of vacation, your employer might have a little more room to ask you to be available (but only if the above circumstances are met).
READ ALSO:
Can I be paid in Germany for any holiday I don't take?
Advertisement
What if I decide to work voluntarily?
According to the law, employees are not meant to engage in activities that contradict the purpose of rest - even if they want to.
As it's written in the Federal Vacation Act: "During statutory vacation, no activity may be carried out that contradicts the purpose of the vacation."
As opposed to mandatory work, voluntary work doesn't invalidate the vacation time. But it can be seen as a breach of employment duties in some cases (though we gather this would have to be pretty extreme).
Are there any exceptions?
Of course! You'll be glad (or not) to hear that doing chores around the house or helping friends and family without pay are fine because these aren't related to your employment relationship.
Meanwhile, small side jobs or temporary work that is not related to your main job are also generally up to your discretion - so long as they aren't so demanding that they would undermine the recovery you are intended to gain from your holiday.
READ ALSO:
Can I have a freelance side gig as an employee in Germany?
There is one notable exception for companies: in the case of a business emergency, the employer can potentially expect the employee to interrupt vacation. However, the emergency would need to be severe enough to pose a considerable threat to the survival of the business,
and
the employer would need to be sure that no other solution is possible.
Does answering emails count as work?
Advertisement
Yes.
Every task, even something as minor as sending a quick reply, qualifies as working time. So technically it should be recorded and compensated just like any other work - and cannot be asked of your during vacation.
What happens if I get sick during vacation?
If you fall ill while on holiday, the days affected do not count against annual vacation entitlement, meaning the affected days essentially count as sick days and can be taken as vacation later.
You would have to provide a doctor's note as proof.
Put simply:
German employment law gives workers a strong right to uninterrupted rest.
Employers can not simply intrude on vacation, and if they do any affected days may be owed back as vacation to be taken at a future date.
In most cases, you are well within your rights to turn off your work phone and log-out of any work-related email addresses or other communication platforms while on your paid holiday time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Local Germany
11 hours ago
- Local Germany
CHECKLIST: The most important pieces of paperwork you need to settle in Germany
Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit/visa) Unless you have citizenship for an EU country, you'll need to apply for a residence permit ( Aufenthaltstitel ) to live in Germany. There are plenty of permits to choose from, whether you're coming to study, for a job, to work as a freelancer or to reunite with a spouse. EXPLAINED: How to apply for a residency permit online in Berlin Depending on where you're from, you might need a visa to enter Germany in the first place. People walk with luggage at Berlin's main train station (Haputbahnhof) on July 17, 2025. (Photo by Tobias Schwarz / AFP) Only a selection of third country nationals get visa-free travel to Germany. People from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Japan, for example, are allowed to spend 90 days in the EU in every 180 without needing a visa. However, they will have to get familiar with the EU's new Exit and Entry System rules known as EES. Before you can apply for most residence permits, however, you'll first need to gather a few of the documents listed below. READ ALSO: Expert tips for your next appointment at a German immigration office Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) Once you arrive in Germany, you'll have to register your address – often referred to as Anmeldung – within two weeks. To do that, get an appointment at your local Bürgeramt (citizen's office). There you'll be issued with a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), which is needed for almost everything, including opening a bank account, getting a residence permit, or even to get a library card. When you go to your appointment at the Bürgeramt, you'll need to bring another document to register your address. This is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung , or confirmation of residence, which verifies that you've moved into the property either as a main tenant or subletter. Ask your landlord, Hausverwaltung (property management) or the main tenant that you're renting from and they should give you this document. You can also make it easier for them by finding an example of one online, printing it and asking them to fill it in. Advertisement There is a big problem in busy housing markets, like Berlin and Munich, with tenants subletting flats and rooms and not giving people the option to anmelden (register). This is often the case when main renters haven't told their landlord that they have someone else staying in the apartment. All of this isn't allowed but is sadly something many newcomers in Germany have to deal with. READ MORE: Is renting a flat 'without Anmeldung' illegal in Germany? When you do get your Anmeldung , keep it in a safe place! It's needed for various bureaucratic processes in Germany. A man walks to the Bürgeramt, one of the many centres of German bureaucracy. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Martin Schutt Steueridentifikationsnummer (Tax ID) Once you register your address, you will receive another important document: your tax ID or Steuer-ID. It will arrive in the post. This is another bureaucratic necessity like the Anmeldung , that you don't want to lose. Make sure to take an extra note of the number. You need your tax ID for various parts of German life such as your job, taxes, other financial matters and when talking to the Finanzamt. By the way, if you are planning to be freelance or go into another type of self-employment, you need another tax related document called the Taxnummer (tax number). This isn't given automatically to you, you have to apply for it at the Finanzamt. Advertisement Krankenversicherungskarte (health insurance card) Everyone in Germany has to have health insurance (Krankenversicherung) – it is mandatory. You will either register with a public or private health insurer, depending on various factors such as your job, how much you earn, your own situation and your age. With the card, you'll be able to visit doctors in Germany and receive health treatment. There is generally no extra cost on top of your health insurance fees, although residents do have to pay a contribution for things like prescriptions. When you have health insurance, you are also able to access a Versicherungsnachweis (health insurance certificate). This document is needed when you need to show proof that you have health care coverage. For example, this is usually required when applying for a residence permit. READ ALSO: 10 key things you need to know about healthcare in Germany A selection of health insurance cards. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Kalaene Bankkonto / Girokonto (bank account) Another piece of bureaucracy you need is a current bank account. This is essential for receiving salary payments, sorting out your rent and bills as well as for general daily life in Germany. If you're coming from outside of Europe, you may be able to access your account in your home country to make electronic payments, or get cash from an ATM ( Geldautomat ), but you'll likely need a Germany- or Europe-based account with an IBAN for getting paid and other transactions. Most landlords and employers also require you to provide your IBAN so it's a good idea to get this sorted quickly. READ ALSO: What are the best banks for foreigners in Germany? Advertisement Sozialversicherungsnummer (Social Security number) Another must-have in Germany if you are working is a social security number. You will usually receive this in the post during the process of starting your first job in Germany. But you can contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German pension insurance) yourself if you need something from them. It's a good idea to keep your number written down somewhere safe. If you lose your card or certificate, you can request a replacement from your health insurance provider or the pension office. For confirmation of your social security contributions, your employer can provide this. Every year, you'll also receive official statements showing your pension contributions and details of your health insurance. These documents are important because they're used later to calculate your statutory pension. Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting licence fee) Many foreigners are shocked to find that they receive a letter soon after registering in Germany telling them have to pay a TV / radio licence fee – known as the Rundfunkbeitrag – even if they don't watch German TV. Unfortunately, there's no way around this payment. It's mandatory, with almost every household having to pay the fee which works out at around €18.36 per month. If you're in a shared flat, you'll share the cost with your roommates. If you live alone, you pay it in full. READ ALSO: How to pay Germany's TV tax (or legally avoid it) Advertisement Kirchensteuer (church tax) One last thing to be aware of when you are settling in Germany is church tax. The key thing to know is that you only pay this tax if you declare that you're part of a particular religious community. For instance, if you are Catholic, Protestant or Jewish, you'll pay the tax. It amounts to 8-9 percent of your income tax, depending where you live. You initially declare whether you belong to a religion or not on your Anmeldungsformular (registration form) when you are registering your address. If you opt out and say you are not religious, you won't have to pay. However, if you were baptised or are on a church registry (even in your home country) you could also end up paying church tax.
Local Germany
a day ago
- Local Germany
Q&A: What can workers in Germany be asked to do during vacation time?
Germans have a reputation for taking their work-life balance very seriously, which is to say staunchly defending their off time, be it after work hours on weekdays or whilst on holiday. But increasingly, there is evidence suggesting Germany's reputation for prioritising Lebensfreude (or the enjoyment of life) over working duties may be slipping . For example, a recent survey found that more than half (57 percent) of Germans engage in at least occasional work while on vacation. Of those who did report working during their time off, roughly half said they had been contacted directly by their boss or a colleague. (Others checked-in on their own accord, or because they didn't have functioning cover while they were out.) So what are the rules around working while on vacation in Germany? Can my employer contact me while I'm on vacation? Generally not. Vacation is intended for recovery, and German labour rules maintain that employees are under no obligation to engage in work activities, or to be reachable by their boss or colleagues during this time. Calls, emails, or messages do not need to be answered. Workers are fully entitled to switch off their company phone or laptop. Can my employer ask me to be available anyway? Only in very limited circumstances can you be asked to stay in contact by any means. This might happen, for example, if on-call duty was explicitly agreed upon, or if your work contract allows for short-term schedule changes. If neither of the above situations apply and you are asked to work or be reachable anyway, the vacation would not be considered properly granted. In this case the affected days wouldn't count toward vacation taken, and should be given again later. However, this typically only applies for holidays that are exceeding Germany's statutory minimum allowance for the year. According to the Federal Holidays Act, full-time workers in Germany are entitled to a statutory minimum of 20 days of paid holiday per year, based on a five-day working week. So if you've already taken at least 20 days of vacation, your employer might have a little more room to ask you to be available (but only if the above circumstances are met). READ ALSO: Can I be paid in Germany for any holiday I don't take? Advertisement What if I decide to work voluntarily? According to the law, employees are not meant to engage in activities that contradict the purpose of rest - even if they want to. As it's written in the Federal Vacation Act: "During statutory vacation, no activity may be carried out that contradicts the purpose of the vacation." As opposed to mandatory work, voluntary work doesn't invalidate the vacation time. But it can be seen as a breach of employment duties in some cases (though we gather this would have to be pretty extreme). Are there any exceptions? Of course! You'll be glad (or not) to hear that doing chores around the house or helping friends and family without pay are fine because these aren't related to your employment relationship. Meanwhile, small side jobs or temporary work that is not related to your main job are also generally up to your discretion - so long as they aren't so demanding that they would undermine the recovery you are intended to gain from your holiday. READ ALSO: Can I have a freelance side gig as an employee in Germany? There is one notable exception for companies: in the case of a business emergency, the employer can potentially expect the employee to interrupt vacation. However, the emergency would need to be severe enough to pose a considerable threat to the survival of the business, and the employer would need to be sure that no other solution is possible. Does answering emails count as work? Advertisement Yes. Every task, even something as minor as sending a quick reply, qualifies as working time. So technically it should be recorded and compensated just like any other work - and cannot be asked of your during vacation. What happens if I get sick during vacation? If you fall ill while on holiday, the days affected do not count against annual vacation entitlement, meaning the affected days essentially count as sick days and can be taken as vacation later. You would have to provide a doctor's note as proof. Put simply: German employment law gives workers a strong right to uninterrupted rest. Employers can not simply intrude on vacation, and if they do any affected days may be owed back as vacation to be taken at a future date. In most cases, you are well within your rights to turn off your work phone and log-out of any work-related email addresses or other communication platforms while on your paid holiday time.
Local Germany
4 days ago
- Local Germany
Germany and the UK take next step towards direct train connection
Germany and Great Britain took the next step toward creating a direct rail connection between London and Berlin this week. German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) and his British counterpart Heidi Alexander (Labour Party) signed a declaration in Hamburg this week, which will see a task force created to move the project forward. "We are committed to ensuring that the first trains under the English Channel can roll directly from Germany to Great Britain in the coming years," said Schnieder. Alexander emphasised that the project should "open up new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange". "A direct rail connection would contribute to the creation of new jobs and strengthen the important trade links that are the basis of our economic relations with Germany." The two transport ministers also emphasised the project's importance for boosting train travel in Europe. "A continuous connection would simplify travel enormously and significantly increase the attractiveness of train travel," said Schnieder. The travel ministers did not announce a timeline for when services would begin on the direct connection. Currently, rail transport between Germany and Great Britain is only possible with a stopover to change trains, for example in Brussels or Paris. Plans for a direct Germany-Great Britain connection have been in the works for some time. In June, the railway company Eurostar announced that it wanted to offer a direct connection between Germany and Great Britain for the first time in the coming years. Eurostar is cooperating with Deutsche Bahn on connections with transfers between Germany and Great Britain. At the beginning of the year, plans for a direct connection between London and Cologne or Frankfurt were also reported. READ ALSO: Where can you go by direct night train from Stuttgart? Advertisement Among the top issues to be clarified is how border controls would be managed on the rail connection. The German-UK joint task force is set to examine how how security controls could be implemented, along with infrastructure operators and railway companies. Germany has recently announced that it plans to extend stepped-up border controls at all of its land borders beyond the prior September 15th deadline.
