German courts confirm workers' right to three‑week continuous vacation

The Thüringer Landesarbeitsgericht ruled on 2 March 2026 that employers may not impose a blanket two‑week limit on continuous vacation. Under § 7(2) of the Federal Vacation Act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz), vacation must be granted as a continuous period unless urgent business reasons justify a split. The decision, which applies throughout Thuringia, affects employees in Erfurt and other regions who are negotiating summer leave.

German law also provides for cash compensation (Urlaubsabgeltung) when an employment relationship ends and unused leave cannot be taken. The compensation covers days exceeding the statutory minimum and is governed by § 7(4) BUrlG. It applies in cases such as termination, short notice periods, employer refusal of leave, or long‑term illness.