For Citizens - Service Finder

On Sundays and public holidays, there is generally a general rest. All publicly noticeable activities which are likely to impair such calmness or which are contrary to the nature of the Sunday and public holiday are prohibited. The institution of Sunday is comprehensively protected as a day of rest and spiritual uplift, which as a basic element of social coexistence and state order is constitutionally guaranteed and handed over to legal protection. The individual should be given the opportunity to celebrate the day according to his individual needs, detached from workday ties and constraints.

The following public holidays are recognised by the state in Lower Saxony:

• New Year's Day,
• Good Friday,
• Easter monday
• 1 May,
• Ascension Day,
• Whit
• 3 October, as the Day of German Unity,
• 31 October, as Reformation Day,
• Christmas Day,
• 2nd Christmas Day.

In addition, the "silent holidays" - Good Friday, the second Sunday before the 1st Advent (Volkstrauertag) and the last Sunday before the 1st Advent (Dead Sunday) - are particularly protected.