In this publication, we will look into a rather specific topic: movable holidays in Germany (also known as floating school holidays, flexible days off, etc.). You will find out what this phenomenon is, why these days are necessary, and how you can use them to your advantage.
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What are movable holidays in German schools?
The school education system in Germany has several unique features. Among them are movable school holidays (bewegliche Ferientage). Unlike fixed rest periods, such as the summer holidays or Christmas holidays, these days are not tied to specific dates. They are allocated annually, which helps to regulate the school term timetable.
The introduction of movable holidays makes it possible to optimise the educational process and take local characteristics into account. School education in the FRG is regulated at the regional state level, so the academic year timetable is drawn up with local conditions in mind. Floating holidays allow school children to have a break during long study periods.
For many families, this is a great opportunity to organise a short family break or a mini-holiday. However, remember that the country has a strict system of compulsory school attendance, known as Schulpflicht. Extending a holiday (truancy) without official(!) approval from the school administration is an administrative offence, so make sure to study the school holiday calendars in detail!
Legal framework and distribution by federal states
The number and method of distributing floating days are regulated at the regional level. The general framework is set by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz — KMK). However, the final decision is made by the ministries of education (Kultusministerium) of specific states and the schools themselves.
Depending on the region, school attendance rules and the number of floating days off vary. Each of the 16 federal states (Bundesländer) sets its own standards, for example:
- In Baden-Württemberg or Rhineland-Palatinate, between 3 and 5 movable days are allocated each year.
- In Berlin and Hamburg, there are practically no floating days, and all holiday dates are rigidly fixed.
- The final right to choose specific dates often rests with the Schulleitung (school management) in consultation with the school council (Schulkonferenz).
Which public holidays are floating days off linked to?
The primary purpose of movable days is to create so-called bridge days (Brückentage). If a public or religious holiday falls on a Thursday or a Tuesday, the school often releases pupils from classes on the Friday or Monday. This allows long weekends to be organised for school children. Usually, ministries and schools link movable holidays to a few traditional dates:
- Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day): the holiday always falls on a Thursday, so the following Friday becomes a day off almost everywhere.
- Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi): celebrated on a Thursday, relevant for predominantly Catholic states.
- Rosenmontag / Fasching (Rose Monday / Carnival): in regions where carnivals are held, schools close for several days in a row in February or March.
This approach combats school truancy quite effectively. After all, why risk getting a fine or having to write an application for leave of absence if the child has an official day off anyway? It is easier for parents to plan trips, as public holidays in Germany coincide with local school days off.
You can check the dates of public holidays for the upcoming academic year in the publication “Public Holidays 2026-2027 in Germany (All Federal States)”.
Movable holidays in the 2026-2027 academic year (table)
This table shows the total number of floating holiday days for the federal states where they are provided. If a federal state is not listed in the table, it means there are no official movable holidays there.
| Federal State | Number of days |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 4 |
| Hesse (Hessen) | 4 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 3 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 6 |
| Saarland | 2 |
| Saxony | 1 |
How to find out the exact dates of movable holidays
There is no single general timetable for these days, as the dates are approved at the level of individual cities and schools. You need to check the information yourself to plan your holiday calendar correctly. Up-to-date details can be found in the following sources:
- Official school website (Schulhomepage): the approved academic year calendar with all local changes is published here.
- Information letters (Elternbriefe): the school administration sends these out to parents at the beginning of the school year.
- Ministry of Education Portal: general information for parents is always available on the websites of the relevant authorities of the German states. However, if the date of flexible school holidays is set by the school itself, you are unlikely to find it there.
Important! Check the timetable for your school in good time! This will help avoid confusion and unpleasant consequences. Even in neighbouring schools or grammar schools (Gymnasien), rest dates may not coincide or may differ slightly.
School attendance rules, absences and fines
In Germany, a strict Schulpflicht (compulsory school attendance) applies. The law prohibits missing lessons without a valid medical reason or a documented personal reason. Movable holidays are subject to the same rules.
Please note! Different federal states have their own attitude towards valid reasons. In some places, even the funeral of a close friend is not considered a valid reason for a leave of absence from classes. Although to a large extent, this depends on the individual school.
When planning a holiday with children, you must strictly adhere to the set dates. Unauthorised absence from classes before floating days off or immediately after them is considered Schulschwänzen (truancy). During these periods, police at airports frequently check the documents of families with school-age children.
Violations carry heavy fines for school truancy — ranging from a few hundred to thousands of euros. If missing lessons is necessary due to exceptional circumstances, you must arrange an official Beurlaubung (leave of absence) with the school headteacher in advance.
Movable holidays make the educational process more flexible and help to take regional traditions into account. Knowing the rules of their distribution will help you effectively combine studies and family leisure (regardless of whether you are a pupil, a parent, or a guardian). Planning your holiday in Germany well in advance based on school data will protect you from administrative hassles!
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