Holiday planning 2026
Double your time off: how to maximise your holidays in 2026
November, 14 2025 • 3 min read
2026 is just around the corner — the perfect time to start planning your holidays smartly. With a few simple tricks, you can get a lot more out of your annual leave.
The secret? Cleverly combining public holidays with bridging days.
That way, you can turn 30 days of annual leave into up to 62 days off — giving you double the time for weekend getaways, long stretches of relaxation, or simply some well-deserved me-time.
Maximum time off
The public holidays in 2026 open up plenty of opportunities to turn a small amount of leave into maximum rest. With smart planning, you can almost double your days off — perfect for longer trips or extended breaks.
Spring is especially rewarding. With just eight leave days at Easter, you can enjoy a 16-day holiday — ideal for an early-season adventure.
May and June are just as promising. With Ascension Day and Whitsun close together, you can secure the longest breaks of the year. Nine days of leave can stretch into 17 free days. If you go all in and book 13 days, you can even carve out a full 23-day holiday.
The end of the year is another golden opportunity. Plan eight days off over Christmas and New Year, and you’ll have 16 consecutive days to recharge. Perfect for festive downtime, a winter trip, or a relaxed start to 2027.
National public holidays in 2026
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New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026 (Thursday)
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Good Friday: 3 April 2026 (Friday)
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Easter Sunday & Monday: 5 & 6 April 2026
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Labour Day: 1 May 2026 (Friday)
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Ascension Day: 14 May 2026 (Thursday)
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Whitsun: 24 & 25 May 2026 (Sunday & Monday)
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German Unity Day: 3 October 2026 (Saturday)
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Christmas Day: 25 December 2026 (Friday)
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Boxing Day: 26 December 2026 (Saturday)
Regional public holidays in 2026
In addition to the nationwide dates, some federal states have extra holidays. Depending on where you live or work, you can benefit from even more bridging days and stretch your annual leave further.
To save you scrolling through endless calendars, we’ve created a clear overview for you. Planning your 2026 holidays has never been easier — and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of extra free time.
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Epiphany 06.01.26 (Tuesday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
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Assumption of Mary 15.08.26 (Saturday) — in Catholic regions
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All Saints’ Day 01.11.26 (Sunday)
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Epiphany 06.01.26 (Tuesday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
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All Saints’ Day 01.11.26 (Sunday)
- International Women’s Day 08.03.26 (Sunday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
- Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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International Women’s Day 08.03.26 (Sunday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.2026 (Thursday)
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All Saint’s Day 01.11.2026 (Sunday)
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Epiphany 06.01.26 (Tuesday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
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Assumption of Mary 15.08.26 (Saturday)
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All Saint’s Day 01.11.26 (Sunday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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World Children’s Day 20.09.26 (Sunday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.2026 (Thursday)
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All Saint’s Day 01.11.2026 (Sunday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Day of Repentance and Prayer 18.11.26 (Wednesday)
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Epiphany 06.01.26 (Tuesday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
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Assumption of Mary 15.08.26 (Saturday) — in Catholic regions
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All Saints’ Day 01.11.26 (Sunday)
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Epiphany 06.01.26 (Tuesday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
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All Saints’ Day 01.11.26 (Sunday)
- Internationaler Women’s Day 08.03.26 (Sunday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
- Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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International Women’s Day 08.03.26 (Sunday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.2026 (Thursday)
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All Saint’s Day 01.11.2026 (Sunday)
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Epiphany 06.01.26 (Tuesday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.26 (Thursday)
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Assumption of Mary 15.08.26 (Saturday)
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All Saint’s Day 01.11.26 (Sunday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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World Children’s Day 20.09.26 (Sunday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Corpus Christi 04.06.2026 (Thursday)
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All Saint’s Day 01.11.2026 (Sunday)
- Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Reformation Day 31.10.26 (Saturday)
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Day of Repentance and Prayer 18.11.26 (Wednesday)
How to get the most out of 2026
Our overview is based on a 5-day working week. If you work 6 days, you’ll need to use a bit more leave — but the bridging opportunities remain just as good.
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Easter (28 Mar – 12 Apr): 8 leave days → 16 days off
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Labour Day (25 Apr – 3 May): 4 leave days → 9 days off
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Ascension Day (29 May – 1 Jun): 1 leave day → 4 days off
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Corpus Christi (7 Jun – 15 Jun): 4 leave days → 9 days off
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German Unity Day (27 Sep – 5 Oct): 4 leave days → 9 days off
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Christmas / New Year (20 Dec – 31 Dec): 6 leave days → 12 days off
Easter
Dates: 3 April 2026 (Good Friday) and 6 April 2026 (Easter Monday)
Time off: 28 March – 12 April 2026
Leave days: 8
Easter is the best time to play your cards right. Eight leave days turn into 16 free days. Want to save a bit? Take just four days off and still get a 10-day break.
Travel tip
How about catching the first rays of sunshine in Barcelona? Tapas, Gaudí and Mediterranean vibes — a perfect Easter getaway.
Labour Day
Dates: 1 May 2026 (Friday)
Time off: 25 April – 3 May 2026
Leave days: 4
Spring is perfect for a short trip. With just four leave days, you can enjoy nine consecutive days off — enough for a European city break or a quick escape to the sun.
Ascension Day & Whitesun
Dates: Ascension Day: 14 May 2026 | Whit Monday: 25 May 2026
Time off: 9 – 25 June 2026
Leave days: 9
This is the ultimate jackpot of 2026: by cleverly combining Ascension Day and Whitsun, you can enjoy a full 17 days off while only taking nine leave days. It’s the perfect chance for a long holiday, a city escape, or a relaxing break without using up too much of your vacation allowance.
Extra tip: Got more days to spare? Add the 4–8 May and stretch it to 25 consecutive days off with only 15 leave days.
Our travel tip for you
Athens is a brilliant choice for a winter getaway. The perfect mix of vibrant city life and nearby seaside makes for a varied and memorable long holiday, full of culture, history, and sun-soaked relaxation.
Christmas & New Year 2026/2027
Dates: 25 December & 26 December (Friday, Saturday)
Time off: 19.12.2026 — 03.01.2027
Leave days: 8
Book eight leave days and enjoy a festive 16-day break. Perfect for Christmas markets, winter trips, or simply recharging for the new year.
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