The German Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) has published the calendar of holiday truck driving bans (Feiertagsfahrverbote) for 2026. In addition to the standard Sunday ban, on certain public holidays, trucks are not allowed to drive on the country's motorways and main roads — and a number of holidays apply only in certain federal states, so the route should be planned taking the region into account.
Who and when the ban applies to:
The ban applies to trucks with a gross vehicle weight of over 7.5 tons, as well as any trucks with a trailer. It is valid on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00. This is not a one-time measure, but a permanent rule in Germany, so long-haul drivers transiting the country should check each trip against the calendar of truck driving bans in Europe to avoid fines or forced downtime.
Holidays with nationwide bans in 2026:
- January 1 — New Year's Day
- April 3 — Good Friday
- April 6 — Easter Monday
- May 1 — Labour Day
- May 14 — Ascension Day
- May 25 — Pentecost (Whit Monday)
- October 3 — German Unity Day
- December 25 — Christmas Day
- December 26 — Boxing Day
Holidays valid only in certain federal states:
Here are the biggest pitfalls for transit: a truck can move freely through one state and immediately encounter a ban in a neighboring one. Carefully check which regions your route crosses.
🇩🇪 June 4 — Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam):
The ban applies in six states: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland.
🇩🇪 October 31 — Reformation Day:
The ban applies in nine predominantly eastern and northern states: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, and Lower Saxony.
🇩🇪 November 1 — All Saints' Day:
The ban applies in five states: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland.
What this means for truck drivers from Ukraine:
For Ukrainian carriers transporting goods to Germany or transiting further to Western Europe, the holiday calendar directly affects delivery times. If you encounter a prohibited day, you will have to find parking and wait until 22:00. Pay special attention to the summer holiday bans on German motorways, which apply on Saturdays during peak holiday season and are added to the holiday restrictions.
Most religious holidays in Germany are tied to Easter, so their dates shift every year — check them against the general calendar of holidays in border countries. For full information on rules, exceptions, and routes for freight transport, see the section for truck drivers, and the current situation at the border and entry conditions — on the Germany page.
Tip: plan your crossing of the German section of the route in advance. Departing on the eve of a holiday (after 22:00) allows you to pass through the country before the ban takes effect, and knowing regional holidays saves you from unexpected downtime at the border between two states.