Spain Work Calendar 2026: How to Maximize Your Days Off
As we are about to close 2025, it is the perfect time to look ahead. The 2026 Work Calendar is already here, and it brings good news for those who enjoy organizing their getaways in advance. Knowing the national and regional holidays will allow you to optimize your vacation days and get those long-awaited "puentes" (long weekends).
In this article, we break down the key days of 2026 and give you strategies to make the most of your free time.
The 9 National Holidays of 2026
Regardless of where you live in Spain, these days are non-substitutable (or common) holidays throughout the territory:
- January 1 (Thursday): New Year's Day. We start strong! Falling on a Thursday, it is the perfect opportunity to ask for Friday the 2nd off and have a 4-day long weekend.
- January 6 (Tuesday): Epiphany (Three Kings Day). Another gift. Ask for Monday the 5th off for a 4-day bridge or, if you are brave, connect from New Year's for a super vacation.
- April 3 (Friday): Good Friday. Part of Easter Week.
- May 1 (Friday): Labor Day. A guaranteed 3-day long weekend.
- August 15 (Saturday): Assumption of the Virgin. This year it falls on a Saturday, bad luck for those who work Monday to Friday.
- October 12 (Monday): National Day of Spain. Another 3-day long weekend.
- November 1 (Sunday): All Saints' Day. Falling on a Sunday, many regions will move it to Monday, November 2.
- December 6 (Sunday): Constitution Day. The same, it is usually moved to Monday the 7th.
- December 8 (Tuesday): Immaculate Conception. If the 6th is moved to Monday the 7th, you have an automatic super long weekend from Saturday to Tuesday!
- December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day. Long weekend to close the year.
The Strategy of "Macropuentes"
2026 offers several tactical opportunities. Here is the "Cheat Sheet" for your personal days or vacation days:
1. The Beginning of the Year (January)
As we saw, New Year's is Thursday and Three Kings is Tuesday. By spending only 2 vacation days (Friday the 2nd and Monday the 5th), you could connect from January 1st to the 6th. 6 days off spending only 2!
2. The December Bridge
Pay attention to your regional calendar. If the holiday of the 6th (Sunday) is moved to Monday the 7th, and the 8th is Tuesday, you will have 4 days in a row (Saturday to Tuesday) without spending a single vacation day.
Plan Smartly
"Don't let your calendar control you, control your calendar."
Now that you have the dates, the next step is to calculate how many effective hours you will work in 2026. Remember that holidays subtract hours from your mandatory annual working day according to the agreement.
Use our work time calculator to simulate your year 2026, subtracting these holidays and your vacation days, to know exactly your annual hour balance. Don't give away time!