Am I entitled to leave if one of my relatives dies in Germany?
Basic legal rule
Under German civil law (Section 616 of the German Civil Code – § 616 BGB), employees may be released from work
for a short period of time with continued pay if they are unable to work for a personal, important reason beyond their control.
Among these important personal reasons, the death of a close relative of the first degree
(e.g. father, mother, son, daughter, husband or wife) is generally recognised.
The law does not specify exactly how many days are granted.
In practice, it is usually one to two working days, depending on the seriousness of the situation and the date of the funeral.
What do collective agreements or company rules say?
In many sectors and companies, collective agreements (Tarifverträge) or internal regulations explicitly provide a right to
paid special leave (Sonderurlaub / paid leave) in the event of a death in the family.
Typical practice:
First-degree relatives (father, mother, child, spouse):
usually one to two days of paid special leave.
Second-degree relatives (brother, sister, grandparents, etc.):
often no explicit legal entitlement; the decision is usually left to the employer’s discretion.
Therefore, it is always worth checking:
your employment contract,
any applicable collective agreement,
and internal company/works council agreements.
What should you do in practice?
Inform your supervisor or HR department as soon as possible (verbally or in writing) about your absence and the reason.
Ask specifically about “Sonderurlaub” (special leave) or “paid leave” due to the death of a relative and state the degree of relationship (e.g. father, mother, child, spouse).
If the company requires proof (e.g. death certificate – Sterbeurkunde), be prepared to submit it later.
If there is no clear rule, you can:
request annual leave (Urlaub) from your holiday entitlement, or
ask for unpaid leave if necessary.
In practice, most employers in Germany are understanding in bereavement situations and will usually grant at least one day off,
either paid or unpaid.
Exceptions and recommendations
If the death occurred outside Germany or the funeral takes place abroad and involves long-distance travel, many companies show additional flexibility and may allow a longer absence, combining special leave, annual leave and possibly unpaid leave by mutual agreement.
As an employee, you are not required to prove the exact family relationship immediately, unless this is formally requested by your employer.
Quick summary
In the event of the death of a first-degree relative, you are usually entitled to one or two days of leave, often with pay,
either based on § 616 BGB or according to collective/company agreements.
For other relatives or longer absences, you often need a special arrangement with your employer (e.g. use of annual leave, unpaid leave).
Most employers in Germany handle such situations humanely and with understanding, especially if you communicate openly and provide evidence if required.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please treat this article as an initial reference and always consult the relevant authorities or professionals for binding, up-to-date advice.
