ADAC: Planning Vacations in 2027 Using Public Holidays and Bridge Days

The automobile club ADAC has published an analysis of the public holidays in 2027 and the opportunities they offer for planning longer vacations in Germany. Even though some of the common holidays will fall on weekends next year, ADAC provides advice on how to extend vacation time by strategically combining days off.

In 2027, Germany will observe nine general public holidays applicable to all 16 federal states. Of these, four will fall on weekends: May 1st (Saturday), October 3rd (Sunday), December 25th (Saturday), and December 26th (Sunday). New Year's Day (January 1st) and Good Friday (March 26th) will be on Fridays, while Easter Monday (March 29th) and Whit Monday (May 17th) will be on Mondays. Ascension Day (May 6th) falls on a Thursday.

ADAC notes that Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not statutory public holidays, unless stipulated otherwise in an employment contract or granted by the employer. In April, combining Good Friday and Easter Monday can result in a four-day break without using additional vacation days. If the Easter break is also utilized, one can achieve a 16-day period of leave with eight vacation days.

During May and June, Ascension Day (Thursday) allows for a four-day break with just one vacation day. Whit Monday provides a three-day weekend without vacation days, or a four-day break with four vacation days. Corpus Christi (May 27th, Thursday), observed in some states, can enable a four or nine-day break depending on the number of vacation days taken.

ADAC reminds employers that there can be business or social reasons to deny vacation requests for certain periods, although requests cannot be refused without valid cause. The analysis includes a detailed table outlining the possibilities for extended leave in different months and the number of vacation days required.