The Ultimate 2026 Brückentage Guide: How to Get 16 Days Off Using Just 8 Vacation Days
Brückentage are your secret weapon, but only if you plan early.
Here's why this is so important.
A few months ago, I took 3 days off for a Roadtrip from Barcelona to Begur. Windows down, Mediterranean air, Computer safe in Barcelona, zero tabs open. One alcohol-free Estrella in my hand and walking barefoot on the beach I felt my brain finally exhale.
Best mini-holiday I ever had. Not because it was long, but because I fully unplugged.
That's when I realized: Rest isn't about duration. It's about disconnection.
Planning your time off strategically can make 2026 your most restful year yet — without burning through all your vacation days.
In Germany, public holidays (Feiertage) are your foundation. But Brückentage — those strategic "bridge days" between holidays and weekends — are where the magic happens.
This guide shows you exactly when to submit your vacation requests, which days to target, and how to maximize your rest with minimal vacation day investment.
📌 Why Planning Early Matters
In Germany, there's no legal requirement for when you can submit vacation requests for the following year. But here's the reality:
Most companies operate on a "first come, first served" basis — especially for popular bridge days around Easter, Ascension Day, and Christmas.
When Should You Submit?
For Christmas/New Year: Submit 3–6 months in advance (September/October)
For Easter & Spring holidays: Submit in January/February
For regional holidays (Epiphany, Corpus Christi): Submit 2–3 months ahead
Pro tip: Some companies allow employees to plan next year's vacation as early as Q4 of the current year. Check your company's internal policies or Betriebsvereinbarung.
🎯 The 2026 Brückentage Strategy
Here's every major opportunity in 2026 — with exact dates, vacation days needed, and recommended submission timelines.
🎉 Neujahr (New Year's Day)
Public Holiday: January 1 (Thursday)
Bridge Day: January 2 (Friday)
Vacation Days Needed: 1
Total Days Off: 4 (Thursday → Sunday)
Submit by: November/December 2025
✅ Why it works: One vacation day gives you a 4-day weekend to recover from the holidays or kick off the year slowly.
⭐ Heilige Drei Könige (Epiphany) (Regional: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt)
Public Holiday: January 6 (Tuesday)
Bridge Day: January 5 (Monday)
Vacation Days Needed: 1
Total Days Off: 4 (Saturday → Tuesday)
Submit by: November/December 2025
✅ Regional advantage: If you're in BW, BY, or ST, this is an easy long weekend at the start of the year.
🐣 Ostern (Easter) — THE BIG ONE
Public Holidays: Karfreitag (Good Friday, April 3) + Ostermontag (Easter Monday, April 6)
Bridge Days: March 30 – April 2 (Mon–Thu) + April 7–10 (Tue–Fri)
Vacation Days Needed: 8
Total Days Off: 16 (March 28 → April 12)
Submit by: January/February 2026
✅ This is the jackpot: With just 8 vacation days, you get more than two full weeks off. Perfect for a proper spring break or extended travel.
How it breaks down:
Weekend: March 28–29 (Sat–Sun)
Vacation: March 30 – April 2 (Mon–Thu) = 4 days
Karfreitag: April 3 (public holiday)
Weekend + Ostermontag: April 4–6 (Sat–Sun–Mon)
Vacation: April 7–10 (Tue–Fri) = 4 days
Weekend: April 11–12 (Sat–Sun)
Total: 16 consecutive days off using 8 vacation days.
🛠️ Tag der Arbeit (May Day / Labour Day)
Public Holiday: May 1 (Friday)
Bridge Days: None needed
Vacation Days Needed: 0
Total Days Off: 3 (Friday → Sunday)
Submit by: January/February 2026
✅ Built-in long weekend: No planning needed — just enjoy it.
🚀 Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day)
Public Holiday: May 14 (Thursday)
Bridge Day: May 15 (Friday)
Vacation Days Needed: 1
Total Days Off: 4 (Thursday → Sunday)
Submit by: February/March 2026
✅ Easy win: One vacation day = 4-day weekend. Also known as "Vatertag" (Father's Day) in Germany.
🌸 Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday)
Public Holiday: May 25 (Monday)
Combine with Christi Himmelfahrt: May 18–22 (Mon–Fri)
Vacation Days Needed: 5 (or just 0 if you only take Pfingstmontag)
Total Days Off: Up to 9 days if combined
Submit by: February/March 2026
✅ Pro move: If you combine Christi Himmelfahrt + Pfingstmontag with the week in between, you get 9 days off using just 5 vacation days (May 16–24).
✝️ Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi) (Regional: BW, BY, HE, NRW, RP, SL)
Public Holiday: June 4 (Thursday)
Bridge Day: June 5 (Friday)
Vacation Days Needed: 1
Total Days Off: 4 (Thursday → Sunday)
Submit by: February/March 2026
✅ Regional bonus: If you're in one of these states, this is another easy 4-day weekend in early summer.
🇩🇪 Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day)
Public Holiday: October 3 (Saturday)
Bridge Days: None
Vacation Days Needed: 0
Total Days Off: Weekend only
⚠️ Falls on a weekend: Unfortunately, no extra days off this year.
🔨 Reformationstag (Reformation Day) (Regional: BB, HB, HH, MV, NI, SN, ST, SH, TH)
Public Holiday: October 31 (Saturday)
Bridge Days: None
Vacation Days Needed: 0
⚠️ Falls on a weekend: No bridge day opportunity.
🕯️ Allerheiligen (All Saints' Day) (Regional: BW, BY, NRW, RP, SL)
Public Holiday: November 1 (Sunday)
Bridge Days: None
Vacation Days Needed: 0
⚠️ Falls on a weekend: No bridge day opportunity.
📿 Buß- und Bettag (Repentance Day) (Saxony only)
Public Holiday: November 18 (Wednesday)
Bridge Day: November 19 (Thursday)
Vacation Days Needed: 1
Total Days Off: 4 (Wednesday → Saturday)
Submit by: August/September 2026
✅ If you're in Saxony: Easy mid-week break before the holiday rush.
🎄 Weihnachten (Christmas)
Public Holidays: 1. Weihnachtsfeiertag (December 25, Friday) + 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag (December 26, Saturday)
Bridge Days: December 28–31 (Mon–Thu)
Vacation Days Needed: 4
Total Days Off: 10 (December 25 → January 3)
Submit by: September/October 2026
✅ End-of-year escape: With 4 vacation days, you bridge from Christmas straight through to New Year's, getting 10 consecutive days off.
How it breaks down:
& 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag: December 25–26 (Fri–Sat, public holidays)
Sunday: December 27
Vacation: December 28–31 (Mon–Thu) = 4 days
Neujahr: January 1, 2027 (Friday, public holiday)
Weekend: January 2–3
Total: 10 days off using 4 vacation days.
💡 Smart Planning Tips
1️⃣ Submit Early for Popular Periods
Ostern, Christi Himmelfahrt, Pfingstmontag, and Weihnachten fill up fast. Aim for 6–12 months advance notice for these.
2️⃣ Know Your Regional Holidays
Check if your Bundesland observes Heilige Drei Könige, Fronleichnam, Reformationstag, or Buß- und Bettag — these can unlock extra long weekends.
3️⃣ Coordinate with Your Team
Especially in smaller teams, align with colleagues so coverage is maintained. Early communication = fewer conflicts.
4️⃣ Build in Flexibility
Even with early planning, things can shift. Have backup dates if your first choices get blocked.
5️⃣ Track It All
Use a calendar tool (Google Calendar, Outlook, Notion) to map out 2026 holidays + your planned bridge days. Visual planning makes it easier.
📊 Quick Reference Table
State Abbreviations:
BW = Baden-Württemberg | BY = Bavaria | ST = Saxony-Anhalt | HE = Hesse | NRW = North Rhine-Westphalia | RP = Rhineland-Palatinate | SL = Saarland | SN = Saxony
2026 is built for smart rest.
You don't need to use all your vacation days to get meaningful time off. With just a few well-placed Brückentage, you can create long stretches of recovery without draining your annual leave.
And here's the thing: Rest isn't a luxury — it's a strategy. When you disconnect fully, you come back sharper, more creative, and more energized.
So open your calendar, mark these dates, and submit your requests early.
Your future self will thank you.
