Public Holidays 2026. Find Out When to Plan Your Vacations and How to Create Long Weekends

How do you keep a balance between work and personal life, a topic increasingly discussed? Make the most of your annual leave, as well as legal public holidays — those moments that help you disconnect from work and recharge your energy. Even if it might seem too early to think about public holidays in 2026, it’s never too early to plan how and where you will relax next year. This way, you can inform your employer in advance about your absences and also secure good deals on vacations. 

Planning isn’t just a matter of personal organization: the Labor Code clearly states which days are legal holidays, who is entitled to them, and how they must be compensated if you have to work. Discover the 2026 public holiday calendar, how to create long weekends, and what the law says about public holidays! Bonus: how Romania compares to other European countries, along with a few ideas to truly disconnect from work.

📅 Public Holiday Calendar in Romania in 2026

In 2026, employees in Romania will benefit from 17 legally established public holidays (practically 16, since the second day of Pentecost coincides with Children’s Day), of which 12 fall on weekdays and 5 coincide with weekends, providing excellent opportunities for long weekends. Here’s the complete list:

Long Weekends 2026 — How to Create Bridges from Public Holidays

A year with well-planned long weekends can give you more personal time without using up your vacation days. Here’s how you can create long weekends in 2026:

🌟 1–4 January (Thursday–Sunday)
The year starts with consecutive days off, perfect for recharging after the holidays. If you take Monday, 5 January off, and add the legal holidays on 6 and 7 January, you can turn this period into a full week of rest — ideal for a mini getaway or quality time at home.

🌿 10–13 April (Good Friday – Easter Monday)
Easter offers four consecutive days off — a great opportunity to relax, spend time with family or friends, or simply organize your thoughts and plans for the rest of the year.

🏖️ 1 May (Friday) + Weekend 2–3 May
The May Day weekend is for relaxation. Whether you choose the seaside, the mountains, or a simple outdoor picnic, it’s a short but welcome break.

👨‍👩‍👧 31 May – 1 June (Sunday–Monday)
Pentecost and Children’s Day create a three-day long weekend (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) — perfect for family activities or a short nature escape.

🍂 30 November – 1 December (Monday–Tuesday)
Saint Andrew and Romania’s National Day bring a four-day holiday if you also include the preceding weekend. With a single vacation day (Friday, 27 November or Wednesday, 2 December), you could even have a five-day long weekend.

🎄 25–27 December (Friday–Sunday)
Christmas 2026 falls perfectly: Friday and Saturday are legal holidays, and Sunday naturally follows — an ideal period for year-end relaxation.

Public Holidays 2026 for Public Sector Employees — Between Tradition and Government-Declared Bridges

If you work in the public sector, you already know: the government establishes, at the beginning of the year, certain “bridge days” between weekends and legal holidays. Certain Mondays or Fridays can become non-working days for public employees, to be compensated later.

This practice is intended to provide continuity in rest periods and reduce fragmentation of work in institutions. For example, if a holiday falls on a Tuesday, Monday might be declared a bridge day for a four-day long weekend.

For private sector employers, these government decisions can serve as inspiration: many companies choose to grant the same bridges to their teams, as a sign of balance and appreciation.

What the Labor Code Says About Legal Holidays

Legal holidays are a right guaranteed by law. According to Article 139 of the Labor Code, employees are entitled to rest on legally established public holidays.

🔹 What this means in practice

The Labor Code stipulates that employees do not work on legal holidays, and these days are granted to all employees, whether in the public or private sector. Exceptions exist in fields where operations cannot stop (such as healthcare, transportation, public food services, national security, or emergency services), where employees may be required to work.

In such cases, employees working on public holidays must receive clear compensation, as stated in Article 142 of the Labor Code:

• either paid time off within the next 30 days;
• or, if that’s not possible, at least 100% of the base salary for work performed on that day.

🔹 How legal provisions apply in companies

For employers, respecting legal holidays is a legal obligation and a sign of respect for employee balance and well-being. Properly granting these days or compensations contributes to a healthy work environment and higher staff retention.

The Labor Code also encourages employers to communicate holiday schedules in advance, so employees can plan their vacations and personal activities.

🔹 What happens if public holidays fall on a weekend

If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the employer is not required to grant another day off during the week (unless specified in a collective agreement or internal regulation). However, many companies voluntarily offer bridge days or compensate the day to support employee work-life balance.

🌍 How Romania Compares to Other European Countries in Terms of Public Holidays

In 2026, Romania will have 17 public holidays by law (practically 16 due to overlapping holidays), with 12 on weekdays, offering excellent opportunities for long weekends. Compared to other European countries, only Cyprus surpasses Romania.

• Cyprus: 25 legal holidays in 2026, among the highest in Europe.
• Slovakia: 15 legal holidays, similar to Romania.
• France: 11 legal holidays in 2026; fewer than Romania, but French workers often benefit from long, collectively planned vacation periods.
• Germany: Average of 9 legal holidays at the federal level, varying by state (some up to 13, others only 8).
• Spain: 14–18 legal holidays depending on the region. About 9 are national holidays, the rest are regional. Certain communities, like Andalusia or Catalonia, enjoy more than the European average.
• Italy: 13 national holidays, with additional local holidays in some regions, totaling 14–15 days.
• Netherlands and Denmark: Lower end, with 9 legal holidays each in 2026.

🧘‍♂️ How to Truly Disconnect on Public Holidays

Public holidays are not just a break — they’re a real opportunity to reconnect with yourself and recharge. How you plan and spend them makes all the difference.

Plan activities that bring you joy

Don’t let holidays pass without doing something that truly relaxes you. Whether it’s a short trip to the mountains or the seaside, a day at home reading or cooking, or quality time with family and friends — the key is to do things that energize you and make you smile.

Turn off work notifications

Even a day off can be stressful if your phone or laptop constantly pulls you back to work. Use “Do Not Disturb” mode or disable work emails and apps. This keeps your day truly free and allows your mind to rest.

Try new or relaxing activities

Holidays are perfect for exploring hobbies you haven’t had time for. Meditation, yoga, walks in nature, or learning a new skill can significantly improve your well-being. Even 30 minutes a day can make a noticeable difference.

Prioritize rest and quality sleep

Rest isn’t just about lounging on the couch. Quality sleep is essential for energy restoration, focus, and stress reduction. If possible, adjust your routine to wake up naturally without an alarm and have a relaxed morning.

Mix relaxing activities with social ones

Even if you want to relax, including moments with family or friends can boost joy and satisfaction. Find a balance between solo time and shared moments with loved ones.

Planning your 2026 public holidays in advance is an important step toward a healthy work-life balance.

If you need help planning your vacations or understanding your legal rights, consult a specialist or speak with your HR department.

The Smartemp team brings together labor law experts who guide employers in creating fair workplace practices while protecting employees’ rights.

Write to us for a personalized offer at office@smartemp.ro or call 0738 662 370

Sources: 

• Labor Code: Article 139
• Cyprus Public Holidays 2026: Detailed list of legal holidays in Cyprus for 2026
• Time and Date – France: Legal holiday calendar in France for 2026.
• Time and Date – Germany: Legal holidays in Germany in 2026.
• Time and Date – Slovakia: Legal holiday calendar in Slovakia for 2026.
• Time and Date – Netherlands: Legal public holidays in the Netherlands in 2026.
• Time and Date – Denmark: Legal holidays in Denmark in 2026.

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