According to a survey conducted by the IT industry association Bitkom, two-thirds of working professionals in Germany (66 percent) report remaining professionally accessible during their summer holidays this year. This figure matches the level recorded in previous years (67 percent in 2025 and 66 percent in 2024).
During time off, employees most frequently handle short messages and phone calls. Specifically, 62 percent are reachable via short messages, and 61 percent respond to calls. Less common methods of contact include email, which 22 percent claim to answer, and video calls, which are attended by just 14 percent.
The primary reason professionals remain available while on vacation relates to external expectations. Approximately half (53 percent) of those who are reachable report that their colleagues expect this availability, followed closely by expectations from supervisors (47 percent). Furthermore, a third (34 percent) note that customers expect them to be reachable, while 16 percent cite expectations from business partners. A smaller number feel a professional obligation through their own employees (15 percent), and 16 percent state that their decision to remain accessible is driven by personal initiative.
Bitkom Research conducted the survey by telephone with 1,004 individuals aged 16 and older in Germany. This group included 358 employed persons who had planned a summer holiday, with the survey itself taking place between the 17th and 21st calendar week of 2026.
