New Year's Day

New Year's Day (Neujahr) on January 1 is a public holiday in all 16 German states. Shops, banks and most services are closed.

January 1 as the start of the year traces back to the Julian calendar (45 BC) and was internationally fixed by the Gregorian reform of 1582.

Supermarkets, pharmacies (except emergency duty) and general retail are closed. Emergency services, gas stations and restaurants operate normally. Public transit runs on a Sunday schedule.