Geschäftstag

Geschäftstag (literally "business day") is a day on which normal business activity occurs. In German-speaking countries the term is used in legal, administrative, and financial contexts to indicate days when courts, banks, and businesses are open for transactions. The exact definition can vary by jurisdiction and by contract, but the standard rule is that weekends and official holidays are not Geschäftstage.

In practice, a deadline stated as "in n Geschäftstagen" is calculated by counting only days when business is conducted, typically Monday through Friday, and excluding holidays recognized by the relevant institution or jurisdiction. This is in contrast to "Kalendertage" (calendar days), where weekends and holidays still count toward the deadline. Many contracts specify which holidays apply, and some institutions maintain separate calendars for international operations.

In banking and finance, Geschäftstage are the days on which payments, settlements, and other transactions are processed. If a due date lands on a non-business day, the obligation often shifts to the next Geschäftstag, though contract terms may allow different rules.

Regional variations exist: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland use the concept similarly, but holiday calendars differ; multinational contexts may define Geschäftstage according to the local business days of each party.