# Urlaubsanspruchrechner 2026 Update Plan

**Created:** 2026-01-21

## Overview

Comprehensive review and update of the Urlaubsanspruchrechner (vacation entitlement calculator) to ensure all content, calculations, FAQs, and documentation reflect verified 2026 German regulations per Bundesurlaubsgesetz (BUrlG), JArbSchG (youth employment), and SGB IX (disabled employees).

## Current State Analysis

### Constants Status

**Legal Base Days:**
- `legalBaseDays: 24` ✅ (Correct - 24 days for 6-day week = 20 days for 5-day week)

**Youth Vacation Days:**
- Age 15: 30 days ✅
- Age 16: 27 days ✅
- Age 17: 25 days ✅

**Disabled Employee Bonus:**
- +5 days (SGB IX) ✅

**Hourly Calculation:**
- Legal vacation hours: 144 hours (24 days × 6 hours) ✅
- Base calculation: (weeklyHours / 36) × 144 ✅

### Files Structure

- **PHP Page**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php` (content, FAQs, schema, inline JS)
- **Documentation**: `docs/guides/tools-pages/urlaubsanspruch-rechner-documentation.md`

### Content Status

- H1 title: "Urlaubsanspruch-Rechner 2026" ✅
- Meta tags: Already "2026" ✅
- Schema datePublished: Need to verify
- Content sections: Multiple references to verify
- FAQs: Several FAQs need verification for accuracy
- Minijob examples: Contains "520-Euro-Minijob" ⚠️ **Should be 603€**

### Critical Issues Found

1. **Minijob References:**
   - Current: Content mentions "520-Euro-Minijob" (line 4009)
   - Research: 2026 Minijob limit is 603€
   - Impact: Outdated information in examples

2. **Year References:**
   - Need to verify all "2025" references updated to "2026"
   - Schema datePublished may need update

3. **Hourly Calculation Mode:**
   - Research indicates hourly calculation is NOT mandatory per BUrlG
   - Current implementation offers it as optional mode
   - Need to verify if this is correctly presented as optional/experimental

4. **Content Accuracy:**
   - Examples and FAQs need verification against 2026 regulations
   - Minijob examples need updating

## Research Phase

### Web Research Tasks

1. **Verify BUrlG 2026 Regulations:**
   - §3 BUrlG: 24 days (6-day week), 20 days (5-day week)
   - §4 BUrlG: 6-month waiting period for full vacation
   - §5 BUrlG: Pro-rating for partial year employment
   - §5 Abs. 2 BUrlG: Rounding rules (round UP if ≥ 0.5 days)

2. **Verify Hourly Calculation Status:**
   - Research: Is hourly calculation mandatory or optional?
   - Verify: Current implementation correctly presents as optional
   - Check: Any 2026 changes to hourly calculation requirements

3. **Verify Minijob Vacation Calculation:**
   - 2026 Minijob limit: 603€ (not 520€)
   - Calculation formula: (workDaysPerWeek × 24) ÷ 6
   - Examples: Update to reflect 603€ limit

4. **Verify Youth Vacation (JArbSchG):**
   - Age 15: 30 days
   - Age 16: 27 days
   - Age 17: 25 days
   - Verify these are still correct for 2026

5. **Verify Disabled Employee Bonus (SGB IX):**
   - +5 days bonus
   - Verify this is still correct for 2026

### Expected Research Outcomes

- Confirmation that BUrlG regulations unchanged for 2026
- Clarification on hourly calculation status (optional vs. mandatory)
- Confirmation of Minijob limit (603€) and calculation examples
- Verification of youth and disabled employee entitlements
- Identification of any content that needs updating

## Implementation Phase

### 1. Update Minijob References

**File**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php`

**Updates Needed:**
- Line 4009: "520-Euro-Minijob" → "603-Euro-Minijob"
- Line 4004: "450-Euro-Job" → Verify if still accurate or needs update
- Update calculation examples to reflect 603€ limit
- Verify all Minijob-related content

**Action**: Update all Minijob references from 520€ to 603€

### 2. Verify and Update Year References

**File**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php`

**Updates Needed:**
- Check for all "2025" references
- Update schema datePublished if found
- Verify all examples use 2026 dates
- Update documentation dates

**Action**: Search and replace all "2025" references with "2026"

### 3. Verify Hourly Calculation Mode Presentation

**File**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php`

**Updates Needed:**
- Verify hourly mode is correctly presented as optional
- Check if content clarifies that BUrlG uses day-based calculation
- Verify tooltips and help text are accurate
- Ensure no misleading claims about mandatory hourly calculation

**Action**: Review hourly calculation mode content for accuracy

### 4. Update Examples and FAQs

**File**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php`

**Updates Needed:**
- Update Minijob examples (520€ → 603€)
- Verify all calculation examples are accurate
- Update FAQ answers if needed
- Verify all legal references (§3, §4, §5 BUrlG) are correct

**Action**: Review and update all examples and FAQs

### 5. Schema Updates

**File**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php`

- Verify `datePublished` is "2026-01-01" or update if needed
- Verify FAQPage schema answers are accurate
- Verify WebApplication schema is correct

**Action**: Update schema datePublished and verify FAQ answers

### 6. Content Verification

**File**: `v2/pages/tools_urlaubsanspruchrechner.php`

**Sections to Verify:**
- BUrlG legal references (§3, §4, §5)
- Calculation formulas explanations
- Minijob vacation section
- Part-time vacation section
- Youth employment section
- Disabled employee section
- Termination scenarios
- Pro-rating examples

**Action**: Verify all content sections for accuracy

## Validation Phase

### Code Quality Checks

1. Verify calculation logic handles all scenarios correctly
2. Verify no hardcoded incorrect values remain
3. Check for console.log statements (should be none)
4. Run linter checks
5. Verify edge cases are handled correctly

### Content Accuracy Verification

1. Verify all rate references match BUrlG 2026
2. Verify Minijob examples use 603€ limit
3. Verify all calculation examples are accurate
4. Verify FAQs are accurate and complete
5. Verify legal references (§3, §4, §5 BUrlG) are correct

### Calculation Verification

1. Test with default values (5-day week, full year)
2. Test with 6-day week
3. Test with partial year employment
4. Test with termination scenarios
5. Test with Minijob scenarios (1-6 days/week)
6. Test with youth employment (ages 15-17)
7. Test with disabled employee bonus
8. Test hourly calculation mode
9. Test pro-rating calculations
10. Test rounding rules (0.5+ rounds up)

## Documentation Phase

### Update Summary Document

Create: `docs/guides/tools-pages/URLAUBSANSPRUCHRECHNER_2026_UPDATE_SUMMARY.md`

- Document all changes made
- Document verified constants per BUrlG 2026
- Document Minijob limit update (520€ → 603€)
- Include before/after comparisons

### Update Research Report

Update: `docs/guides/tools-pages/FINAL_2026_RESEARCH_REPORT.md`

- Add Urlaubsanspruchrechner section if missing
- Document verified BUrlG regulations
- Document Minijob limit update
- Update status to completed

### Update Tool Analysis

Update: `docs/guides/tools-pages/TOOL_BY_TOOL_ANALYSIS.md`

- Update Urlaubsanspruchrechner section
- Document constant verification
- Document Minijob updates
- Update status to completed

### Create Next Steps Document

Create: `docs/guides/tools-pages/URLAUBSANSPRUCHRECHNER_2026_NEXT_STEPS.md`

- Manual testing checklist
- Verification commands
- Expected results
- Deployment checklist

## Key Decisions Needed

1. **Minijob References**: Update all "520€" to "603€" in examples and content
2. **Hourly Calculation Mode**: Verify presentation as optional is correct (research indicates it's not mandatory)
3. **450€ Minijob**: Verify if "450-Euro-Job" reference is still accurate or should be updated
4. **Content Examples**: Update all examples to use 2026 dates and accurate calculations

## Risk Assessment

### Low Risk

- Schema date updates (single value change)
- Minijob limit updates (straightforward find/replace)
- Year reference updates (straightforward find/replace)

### Medium Risk

- Minijob example updates (multiple locations, need consistency)
- FAQ answer verification (critical for user trust)
- Calculation example updates (need accuracy)

### High Risk

- None identified (calculator logic appears correct, constants verified)

## Success Criteria

✅ All BUrlG regulations verified per 2026 law
✅ Minijob references updated (520€ → 603€)
✅ All year references updated (2025 → 2026)
✅ Hourly calculation mode correctly presented as optional
✅ All FAQs accurate
✅ Schema datePublished updated
✅ All calculation examples accurate
✅ Documentation updated
✅ No incorrect information remains

## Estimated Scope

- **Files to Update**: ~2-3 files
- **Content Sections**: ~5-10 locations
- **FAQ Updates**: ~5-8 FAQs
- **Example Updates**: ~3-5 examples
- **Documentation Files**: 3-4 files
- **Testing**: Comprehensive calculation and edge case testing