Discover the public holidays in Germany in 2026 by federal state, as well as an overview of the periods that are particularly suitable for taking long weekends. To help you plan your next holiday, we also provide the school holiday calendar for Germany for 2026/2027. In addition, we explain the specific rules governing annual leave under German employment law.

Working in Germany
Public Holidays & School Holidays in Germany 2026/2027

Germany remains one of Europe's most attractive job markets, with competitive salaries that vary considerably depending on the occupation, sector and federal state. Here is an overview of the average salary and median income in Germany in 2026, highlighting differences between professions, the highest-paying industries and regional variations.

Working in Germany
Average salary in Germany in 2026: Sectors & regions

France and Germany are closely connected economically and culturally and have comparable standards of living, but there are noticeable differences in the cost of housing, food, transport and leisure activities. Here is a detailed comparison of the cost of living and purchasing power in France and Germany in 2026, based on the latest available data.

Working in Germany | Working in France
Cost of living in France vs. Germany in 2026

Since 2015, a statutory minimum wage has been in force throughout Germany. In 2026, the German minimum wage is €13.90 per hour and €2,409.33 per month (gross). Find out who is entitled to the minimum wage in Germany, which categories of workers are excluded from the Mindestlohn, and what increases are planned for the coming years.

Working in Germany
Legal minimum wage in Germany in 2026: Rates & regulations

Finding a job in Germany is one thing, but knowing where to look is another. General job boards, specialised platforms, job search engines and Franco-German employment websites: there are many options available. Discover the essential websites for targeting the right vacancies and speeding up your job search in Germany.

Working in Germany | Recruiting in Germany
Job sites in Germany: The best portals in 2026

What are the average salaries in the European Union? The differences between Member States are significant, making international salary comparisons particularly interesting. The latest Eurostat data provide a better understanding of differences in income levels across European countries.

Working in Germany | Working in France | Working in Europe
Average salary in Europe: Country ranking 2026

What is the minimum wage in the different European Union countries in 2026? Discover our overview of minimum wages across Europe, expressed as gross hourly rates, as well as the key rules to consider when comparing wage levels across the EU.

Working in Germany | Working in France | Working in Europe
Minimum wage in Europe: 2026 country ranking

French employees do not like to talk about their own income, and especially after many years of employment in a company, it is difficult to estimate one's salary correctly. Likewise, when you first enter the German job market, be it as a salesperson or as a foreign company, you often don't have a clear and reliable idea about the salary level of a sales representative there. In both countries, the region in which you work and the gross-net calculation play an important role. We will explain which criteria are used to calculate the salary of office and field staff, sales managers and key account managers in France and Germany.

Recruiting in Germany | Recruiting in France | Working in Germany | Working in France
Sales salaries in France and Germany 2026