Latest news with #Pfingstmontag
Local Germany
4 days ago
- Local Germany
What's open and closed for Pentecost in Germany?
Pentecost, or Whitsun, is a Christian holiday that takes place 49 days after Easter Sunday. In Germany, it's followed by a national public holiday called Pfingstmontag , or Whit Monday in English, which takes place on June 9th this year. As with all public holidays, or Feiertage, you should expect the majority of shops and businesses to be closed – and the majority of bars, restaurants and cafés to be open. Since the holiday follows a Sunday, it'll make for two days in a row when most supermarkets and grocery stores in Germany are closed, so remember to plan ahead and stock up on Friday or Saturday! Here's a closer look at what's open and closed on June 9th. Grocery stores Almost all supermarkets, as well as most independent shops will be closed on Monday 9 th June. However, some supermarkets (typically found in central train stations and airports) are legally allowed to remain open on Sundays and holidays. For example, in Hamburg, Edeka will be open at the Hauptbahnhof as well as at the Altona train station. In Munich you can find supermarkets open at both Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof, and in Cologne there is a REWE To Go that should be open all day in the central station. In Berlin there are supermarkets that stay open on holidays is many of the main train stations. See this report in Kaufda magazine for a list of the supermarkets open in these cities. READ ALSO: What your choice of German supermarket says about you Some small kiosks or Spätis – especially in big cities – will remain open, offering a good option for last minute snacks and drinks. Bakeries are also allowed to open for a few hours on public holidays – usually in the morning. But the decision to open and for how long varies from bakery to bakery, so make sure to check ahead if you're looking forward to fresh bread on Monday morning. Advertisement Bars, restaurants and cafés If you're out and about in one of Germany's bigger cities during the holiday, you shouldn't have much trouble finding something to eat or a place to have a drink, but you'll want to check in advance if you have plans to meet friends at a particular place. White peonies glow in the sunshine against the Frankfurt skyline. The photo was taken in the Taunus town of Bad Soden. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Hannes P. Albert Offices, banks and schools Almost all offices will be closed on June 9th, as will banks, post offices and public administration offices. Schools will also be closed and some states – including Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – are giving their pupils (and teachers) the day off on Tuesday June 10 th as well. Public transport & emergency services Public transport runs as usual on holidays, including Pfingstmontag , but be aware that the majority of services will be running on a reduced, holiday timetable. Most doctors' and dentists' practices will be closed for the day, so if you have a non-urgent medical procedure scheduled for June 9th, you might want to check to see if the appointment was made in error. Emergency services will of course function normally, with hospitals remaining open. Most pharmacies will be closed, so it's best to ensure you have enough medication ahead of the holiday. German regulations require that a certain number of pharmacies remain open for emergency purposes, however. You can find a list of emergency service pharmacies here . Tourist attractions and leisure activities Many museums and other major tourist attractions close for public holidays, but some maintain holiday hours. So check ahead for the holidays hours before heading to a particular attraction on Monday. Advertisement Alternatively, if you're visiting Germany over Pfingsten , the holiday offers numerous opportunities to experience both traditional and contemporary German cultural traditions. If you're in the countryside, you may get the chance to see maypole dancing and cows decorated with flowers. In Rothenburg, the Meistertrunk Show features a historical market, medieval costumes, and Biergarten parties. Visitors to Berlin will also have the chance to attend one of Europe's largest street festivals. The Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) is a free, four-day festival and parade which features more than 4,000 performers showcasing the city's cultural richness. Dancers are seen at the parade for the Carnival of Cultures in Berlin. The international street parade with music and dance groups attracts thousands of visitors. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Monika Skolimowska Take note that the route has changed this year, temporarily moving from Kreuzberg to Friedrichshain. READ ALSO: Seven unmissable events happening around Germany in June 2025 And have fun over the long weekend!
Local Germany
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Local Germany
Where drivers from Germany can save on fuel over the Whitsun weekend
Regularly employed workers in Germany are looking forward to the upcoming public holiday of Pfingstmontag , or Whit Monday, on July 9th -- and many are sure to take advantage of the three-day weekend with a short trip across Germany or elsewhere in Europe. If you're driving somewhere for the holiday weekend you can save yourself some money by being strategic about where you fuel up. Especially if you'll be driving outside Germany it's worth taking a moment to consider refuelling before or after certain borders. Price differences across Europe are primarily the result of different taxes and duties. Fluctuations in oil prices, on the other hand, usually affect all countries. Here's an overview of where drivers coming from Germany can save the most on fuel, depending on where you're going -- according to recent fuel price data from the EU Commission. Heading south Gasoline in Austria is 22 cents cheaper than in Germany on average, and diesel fuel is six cents cheaper. So it's generally better to refill your tank on the other side of the border. However, if you're merely passing through Austria on the way, the most cost effective place to refuel depends on your destination: in Italy, fuel is more expensive than in Austria, but in Slovenia, Croatia or Hungary it's cheaper. In Slovakia, gasoline and diesel are slightly cheaper than in Austria. Advertisement Switzerland is not a cheap country for refuelling. There are no figures from the EU Commission, but according to information from the Touring Club Switzerland, fuel is more expensive there than in Germany, Italy or France. Any diesel drivers with plans to cross Switzerland to Italy would be advised to fill up the tank before leaving Germany, because diesel is cheaper in Germany than either of the other countries. READ ALSO: Switzerland suspends Deutsche Bahn trains due to chronic delays Heading west Fuel in France is almost on a par with Germany. But if you're driving through to Spain, you can save significantly by holding off on your refill until then. Belgium has significantly cheaper gasoline - by 16 cents per litre - but diesel is 7 cents more expensive than in Germany. In the Netherlands, it is 17 and 7 cents more expensive than in Germany, respectively. Luxembourg has the cheapest fuel in the West, with gasoline that is 24 cents less than in Germany and diesel that is 16 cents less. Advertisement To the East If you're headed eastward, you'll naturally benefit from some of the cheapest gasoline prices within driving distance of Germany. In both Poland and the Czech Republic, drivers can save around 35 cents per litre. Diesel is also cheaper here, at about 18 and 22 cents less, respectively. Continuing in the direction of the Baltic States, fuel is still cheaper than in Germany, but more expensive than in Poland. The same is true in Hungary or Slovakia in comparison with the Czech Republic. In all these cases, you can save a bit on your return journey by topping up before the border before entering Poland or the Czech Republic. Northbound If you're headed to Denmark, it's cheaper to fill up beforehand. Premium gasoline is 23 cents more expensive there than in Germany, and diesel is 14 cents more. If you continue on to Sweden, however, fuel becomes cheaper: Super is 28 cents cheaper there than in Germany, and diesel is 9 cents less. READ ALSO: Five 'coolcation' spots you can reach by train from Germany Other tips Prices also vary between individual petrol stations, and depending on the time, region and whether you fill up on the motorway or a country road. Also, differences between countries are often lower directly before and after the border. Generally, you are better off refuelling late in the evening, or at least outside commuter hours. You might consider filling up the evening before departure when fuel tends to be a few cents cheaper than in the morning, for instance. Planning your fuel stops for strategic points on your route may help you save a bit on transport costs, but driving out of your way for cheaper gas usually won't. With reporting by DPA.
Local Germany
7 days ago
- General
- Local Germany
Pfingstmontag: Why is Monday June 9th a public holiday in Germany?
Workers in Germany will no doubt be happy that Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) is a public holiday in Germany, which falls this year on Monday June 9th. But its religious significance is less clear than other religious Feiertage (public holidays) like Christmas or Easter. Pentecost, which takes place 49 days after Easter Sunday (this year on June 8th), commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles while they were in Jerusalem. Whit Monday originates from the Octave of Pentecost. This was ended by the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council in 1969. An octave refers to the eight days following a Christian festival. Like other religious holidays such as – Easter Monday and Boxing Day – Whit Monday extends the feast day, emphasising how important it is to the Church. It is primarily a Catholic holiday but is observed nationwide. But Whit Monday is not without controversy. Lacking as much significance as other religious holidays, it has been abolished in Italy, Sweden, the UK, and Ireland, though France reinstated it after briefly using it as an unpaid workday. Advertisement In 2005, a push by German business associations to scrap the holiday failed. Today, it remains a Feiertag in every federal state, though most people enjoy the day off without celebrating its religious aspects. Still, Pentecost is observed with distinctive customs in some areas. In Frankfurt, the Wäldchestag fair takes place on the Tuesday after Pentecost. In Marwede, a straw figure called the Pfingstkarl is burned and then doused with beer. And in some places, the night from Sunday to Monday is known as an 'unrest night,' traditionally associated with pranks. Which public holidays are coming up in Germany in 2025? June 9th (nationwide): Whit Monday June 19th (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland; parts of Saxony and Thuringia*): Corpus Christi Predictably Byzantine rules determine which parts of these state celebrate the holidays, including, incredibly, that you are entitled to celebrate Corpus Christi in Saxony if your place of work, not your home, is located in a municipality which observes the holiday. The Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund has a comprehensive list of concerned areas. August 15th (Saarland, parts of Bavaria*): Assumption Day September 20th (Thuringia): World Children's Day October 3rd (nationwide): German Unity Day
Local Germany
21-05-2025
- Health
- Local Germany
Everything that changes in Germany in June 2025
Maternity protection in the event of miscarriage Starting from the beginning of June, women who suffer a miscarriage from the 13th week of pregnancy are entitled to maternity protection, or Mutterschutz. Affected women are set to receive paid maternity leave from work to recover from the physical and mental stress caused by the event. The duration of the leave entitlement depends on the timing of the miscarriage. For instance, someone who loses a pregnancy from the 13th week would be entitled to two weeks of Mutterschutz, while a loss from the 17th week would give six weeks of protection. Women who suffer a miscarriage from the 20th week would be entitled to eight weeks of paid time away from work. Prior to June 1st, 2025, those affected by pregnancy loss had to request sick leave with a doctor's approval to take time away from work. READ ALSO: Mutterschutz - Germany's plans to extend maternity paid leave following miscarriage Changing electricity providers to happen within 24 hours Starting June 6th, if you change electricity providers in Germany the switch is to take place within 24 hours. This comes as the result of an EU directive that is intended to increase competition, according to the Lower Saxony Consumer Advice Centre. However, the notice period of your current contract remains in place. Going forward, retroactive registrations, as may be the case in the event of a move, will no longer be possible. READ ALSO: How to reduce your household electricity bill in Germany this year Germany marks Whit Monday June 9th is a national public holiday this year, as Germany marks Pfingstmontag , or Whit Monday. Whit Monday immediately follows Whit Sunday, or Pentecost, which comes 50 days after Easter. Many Christians attend a special church service on this weekend, and the holiday is also celebrated with spring fun fairs. You can also expect to see large wreaths ( Pfingstenkranz ) on display in some regions. TV cameras are seen in Osnabrück Cathedral during mass. The Whit Monday service here is televised. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Friso Gentsch As with all national holidays, most workers have the day off and you should expect most businesses to be closed. READ ALSO: How employees in Germany can make the most of public holidays in 2025 Germany honours members of the Bundeswehr on National Veterans' Day On June 15th, the veterans of the Bundeswehr are to be honoured for the first time at a national Veterans' Day service. The central celebration is set to take place in front of the Reichstag in Berlin, and there are other events in other cities. Germany's Veterans' Day was formally introduced last year, but this year marks the first time service members will be honoured on the day. A veteran of the Bundeswehr is considered to be someone who is in active service as a soldier of the German Army or has honourably retired from duty. Advertisement Mandatory gas checks for caravans and motorhomes Anyone who owns a motorhome or caravan with a liquefied gas system must provide proof of an up-to-date expert check starting June 19th. The new requirement comes as an amendment to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) and is intended to ensure fewer accidents related to heating, cooling and cooking in camper vans. New EU rules for smartphones From June 20th, new EU-level design requirements for smartphones and other cordless phones come into force. Advertisement New phones on the market in Europe will need to meet a minimum level of durability, their batteries should still have a capacity of 80 percent after at least 800 charging cycles, and manufacturers must provide spare parts up to seven years after sales have stopped, according to the new regulations. The EU directive aims to decrease the waste involved with smartphone use, by ensuring that the devices last longer and are more easily repairable. This follows a previous EU law which required new phones on the European market to be compatible with a standard USB-C charger. Summer break begins in some German states For millions of students, the school year is comes to an end in June. Children and students in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia are the first to start their summer holidays – their last day of school is June 27th. As always, Bavaria will be the last federal state to start the summer break, as last as August 1st. A street artist entertains vacationers with huge soap bubbles. Summer break begins at the end of June for some states this year. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Büttner Summer break for German schools usually lasts about six weeks, with pupils in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia returning to class on August 11th this year. Advertisement More accessibility in online retail From June 28th, online retailers are required to offer their portals barrier-free for people with disabilities. This requirement is brought by the Accessibility Strengthening Act, and it applies to banking services or the apps and websites of transport companies, among others. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments section below.
