If 2025 was a difficult year for “puentes” (long weekends), 2026 comes with better news for workers in Spain. The Official State Gazette (BOE) published the planning of public holidays and, thanks to the fact that several key dates fall on Mondays or Fridays, the calendar will make it possible to enjoy more getaways and extended weekends throughout the territory.
In total, each citizen will have 14 public holidays throughout the year: 9 set by the central government, 2 by the autonomous communities and another 2 of a local nature decided by each city council.
Bridges confirmed for 2026
The great advantage of next year is the location of the non-working days, which will facilitate at least four extended rest periods throughout Spain:
-
Easter: As usual, the first big break will come in April.
-
May Bridge: Unlike previous years, May 1 will fall on a Friday, allowing three consecutive days of disconnection.
-
October: The National Holiday (October 12) will be on Monday, which guarantees a long weekend throughout the country.
-
Christmas: December 25 will close the year favorably as it falls on a Friday.
Regional holidays and the “dance” of Sundays
Beyond the fixed dates, the Spanish system allows for some flexibility. Maundy Thursday (April 2), for example, will be a public holiday in most of the country, with the exception of Catalonia and the Valencian Community.
Another relevant aspect is the treatment of holidays that coincide with Sunday, as will be the case with November 1 (All Saints’ Day). In these cases, each autonomous community has the power to decide whether to move the vacation to the following Monday or whether it prefers to use that holiday on another date with more regional roots, such as San José or the day of Santiago Apostle.
List of national holidays 2026
These are the nine days that, according to the official calendar, will be non-working days throughout Spain:
-
January 1st (Thursday): New Year’s Day
-
January 6 (Tuesday): Epiphany of the Lord (Three Wise Men)
-
April 3 (Friday): Good Friday
-
May 1st (Friday): Labor Day
-
August 15 (Saturday): Assumption of the Virgin
-
October 12 (Monday): Spanish National Holiday
-
November 1st (Sunday): All Saints Day
-
December 8 (Tuesday): Immaculate Conception
-
December 25 (Friday): Nativity of the Lord
It is important to remember that to this national list must be added the days specific to each autonomous region and each municipality. Therefore, although the BOE sets the general guideline, the final configuration of the long weekends will depend on the place of residence, allowing each locality to adapt its 14 days of rest to its specific traditions.
