Vacation Law 2026: German Employers’ Obligations to Inform, Forfeiture and Illness

Vacation law in Germany regularly raises questions in day-to-day business practice. Key issues include the forfeiture of vacation entitlements and the applicable limitation periods, illness during vacation, calculating entitlements for part-time employees, and handling remaining vacation entitlements for employees on long-term sick leave. 

Statutory Minimum Leave vs. Contractual Additional Leave

A distinction must also often be made between statutory minimum leave and additional leave under an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. Statutory minimum leave is subject to the specific requirements regarding employers’ obligations to inform, forfeiture and limitation periods explained below. For additional leave, however, different rules may be agreed under certain conditions. The specific provisions of the employment contract, collective bargaining agreement or works agreement are decisive.

Continue reading here.