The year 2026 appears to be favorable for those who want to organize long weekends or create strategic bridges without resorting to many vacation days. Ten of the thirteen national holidays allow combinations with weekends or days of rest, providing multiple opportunities for workers and companies.
National holidays and key dates
In 2026, New Year will be celebrated on January 1st, a Thursday, offering the opportunity to extend the following weekend.
Shrove Tuesday will be on February 17th, while Good Friday and Easter Sunday fall, respectively, on April 3rd and 5th.
Freedom Day will be celebrated on April 25th, which falls on a Saturday, and Labor Day on May 1st, a Friday. Corpus Christi, or Body of God, will take place on June 4th, on a Thursday, and Portugal, Camões and Portuguese Communities Day will be on June 10th, on a Wednesday.
The Assumption of Our Lady will take place on August 15th, on a Saturday, and the Establishment of the Republic will be celebrated on October 5th, on a Monday.
All Saints’ Day will be on November 1st, Sunday, while the Restoration of Independence falls on December 1st, Tuesday, and the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, also on a Tuesday. Finally, Christmas will be celebrated on December 25th, a Friday.
In addition to these national holidays, Carnival Tuesday and municipal holidays in each municipality may add additional days of rest.
Bridges and long weekends
Some of these holidays fall on days that allow you to create bridges. New Year’s on a Thursday and Corpus Christi also on a Thursday allow you to extend the weekend and combine it with vacation days for breaks of three or four days.
The Implantation of the Republic on a Monday offers another opportunity to extend your rest. On the other hand, holidays such as Freedom Day and the Assumption of Our Lady, which fall on the weekend, reduce the possibility of creating bridges.
In total, it is possible to enjoy between nine and eleven long weekends throughout the year, depending on the combination of national and municipal holidays and accumulated vacation days.
Strategic planning and regionality
The organization of the 2026 calendar requires attention to regional variations, as some municipalities do not follow popular saints and may have different municipal holidays.
To maximize rest periods without compromising your routine, it is recommended to plan in advance, including vacation days carried over from 2025 and confirming time tolerance rules and collective agreements.
This preparation allows you to make the most of long weekends, balancing work and leisure throughout the year.
Complete calendar and recommendations
The complete 2026 calendar, including national and municipal holidays, is available in consultable formats, such as Excel, allowing you to organize trips, breaks or simple moments of rest.
With advance planning, 2026 presents itself as a favorable year to enjoy multiple rest opportunities without compromising official vacation days, ensuring a balance between professional and personal life.
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