Summer is here – and with it comes a wave of public holidays… but not always on the same dates, depending on the country where you work!

In France

Monday, 14 July 2025: Bastille Day (National Day)
Friday, 15 August 2025: Assumption Day

In France, public holidays are not compensated if they fall on a non-working day.
If you normally don’t work on Mondays, you won’t be entitled to a day off in lieu of Monday, 14 July.

If you work on 14 July or 15 August, and unless more favorable collective agreements apply, you will receive your regular pay (note: a different rule applies to 1 May).

In Germany

Germany has a federal system where public holidays vary by state (Land).

Friday, 15 August 2025 (Assumption Day):

  • Public holiday in Saarland and Bavaria
  • Not a holiday in Rhineland-Palatinate or Baden-Württemberg

Can your employer ask you to work? Yes, in some cases (especially depending on the sector, such as hospitality), but you’re entitled to a compensatory day off.
This Feiertagsausgleich must be given within eight weeks, including the day worked.

In Belgium

Friday, 15 August 2025: Assumption Day

In Belgium, it’s the only official public holiday in summer.

If Friday is not a regular working day in your company, you’re entitled to a replacement day, which must be taken on one of your usual working days.

Can your employer ask you to work on 15 August?
If Sunday work is generally allowed in your company, yes – your employer may ask you to work on a public holiday.
If Sunday work is only permitted on specific Sundays, then you cannot be required to work on any of Belgium’s 10 public holidays.

If you work on a public holiday, you are entitled to compensatory rest, which must be taken within six weeks (unless sector-specific rules apply).
You’ll only receive additional pay if this is stipulated (e.g. in your contract, work regulations, or a collective agreement), or if the holiday work counts as overtime.

In Luxembourg

Friday, 15 August 2025: Assumption Day (official public holiday)

If Friday is not a working day under your contract, you are entitled to compensatory leave, to be taken within three months.

If you work on 15 August, you are entitled to extra pay.

The national holiday (23 June) has already passed.

Further information can be found on the website of our partner Frontaliers Grand Est