ADAC: Holiday and Bridge Day Analysis for 2026
In 2026, public holidays in Germany will fall on weekends more frequently, reducing opportunities to use bridge days for extended leave. ADAC provides guidance on maximizing time off.
ADAC, Germany's largest automobile club, has analyzed the public holidays and potential "bridge days" for 2026. The year presents fewer optimal opportunities for combining holidays with weekends compared to the previous year, making strategic leave planning more crucial.
Germany will observe nine nationwide public holidays in 2026. Notably, two of these, Unity Day (October 3) and the second day of Christmas (December 26), fall on a Saturday. Additionally, New Year's Day (January 1) is on a Thursday, while Labour Day (May 1) and the first day of Christmas (December 25) are Fridays. This distribution results in fewer natural "bridge days" – the weekdays between a public holiday and a weekend.
ADAC emphasizes that despite the less favorable calendar, strategic planning can still facilitate longer periods of leave. For instance, planning around the Easter holidays (April 3-6) can result in a four-day break. Taking the Friday after Ascension Day (May 14) off provides a four-day holiday (May 14-17).
Certain federal states have additional holidays, such as Epiphany (January 6) in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt, or Corpus Christi (June 4) in specific regions. While many holidays are spaced apart, ADAC advises employees to check their employment or collective bargaining agreements for potential extra days off or company-specific policies regarding days like Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, which are not general public holidays.
Towards the end of 2026, the Christmas and New Year holidays again offer the chance for an extended break. By taking leave from December 28-30 and December 31, individuals can achieve a total of 10 days off between December 25, 2026, and January 3, 2027.