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Federal states are fighting over summer holidays: a fairer system is required!
CDU politician calls for more flexible summer holiday dates in Germany to avoid traffic jams and promote tourism.
Federal states are fighting over summer holidays: a fairer system is required!
The discussion about summer vacation dates in Germany is gaining momentum. On July 17, 2025, a CDU politician said that there was an urgent need to equalize and make the summer holidays more flexible. The proposal is to start the holidays at the beginning of June and not end until mid-September. According to the politician, a rotation of holiday dates between the federal states could enable more fairness and variety. The summer holidays currently start at different times in 14 federal states, which often leads to overcrowded travel destinations and traffic jams. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in particular traditionally always start at the end of July or beginning of August and do not end until mid-September. This regulation is causing considerable criticism from Saxony, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, who want a uniform system.
The dispute over summer vacation dates is not new and is further complicated by Germany's federal structure. Education is a state matter, so the holiday dates are determined by each federal state itself. Even though the Hamburg Agreement of 1964 forms a basis that divides countries into five groups that alternate holiday dates, conflicts still arise. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg do not adhere to this rolling system and are the last federal states to go on summer holidays. These two countries represent a special situation when it comes to the regulation.
Criticism and demands for change
The discussion about the summer holidays is not just a question of scheduling. Education politicians such as North Rhine-Westphalia's Education Minister Dorothee Feller are calling for equal regulations for all states. The current situation is also being denounced from Lower Saxony, Thuringia and Hamburg. Thuringia even calls for a modern, fair system. Strategic considerations in particular, such as exam times and teaching phases, play a role when planning vacation dates.
Units among the states are important to create fair distribution and planning. In addition, the period for the summer holidays, which currently runs from June 20th to September 15th, should be kept in mind. Some countries, such as Berlin and Hamburg, also ensure that the summer holidays do not start before July 1st. Resistance to a narrowing of the holiday corridor comes primarily from coastal countries and the tourism industry, which depend above all on a fair distribution and equal utilization of the offers.
Opinions about summer holidays in Germany are diverse. While some argue for a clear regulation, the question remains how to best balance the needs of students and families. The debate shows that the summer vacation period is a central issue that affects many aspects of the educational landscape.