Bridge Days Calculator
Bridge days in 2026 and 2027 by federal state (Bundesland): see which one or two days of leave next to a public holiday give you the longest stretch off.
Bridge days 2026 and 2027 for your federal state: find the days where a few days of leave produce the longest continuous time off.
Bridge days overview 2027
5 opportunities found
With 8 vacation days up to 25 days off
Ascension Day
05/06/2027
Corpus Christi
05/27/2027
New Year's Day
01/01/2027
Epiphany
01/06/2027
Epiphany
01/06/2027
Regional specifics
- Assumption of Mary (15 August) is a statutory holiday in Bavaria only in municipalities with a predominantly Catholic population – since 2025, based on the 2022 census, in 1,708 of 2,056 municipalities. It does not apply in Nuremberg, Fürth, Erlangen, Bayreuth or Hof, where any bridge day based on it does not exist.
- The Augsburg Peace Festival on 8 August applies only within the city of Augsburg and is not included here.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bridge days (Brueckentage)?
Bridge days are working days between a public holiday and a weekend. By taking one vacation day, you get a four-day weekend. Strategically using bridge days can maximize your time off.
How can I maximize vacation with bridge days?
Plan early, check which holidays fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays, coordinate with colleagues, and file vacation requests promptly. In a good year, bridge days can nearly double your effective time off.
Which days off does the calculator assume?
The calculator assumes a five-day week: Saturday and Sunday count as free, and vacation days are only planned for Monday to Friday. On top of that come the public holidays of the selected federal state; movable holidays such as Ascension Day are calculated for each year from the date of Easter. Assumption Day (15 August) is counted for all of Bavaria, although it is only a holiday in municipalities with a predominantly Catholic population, and purely local holidays such as the Augsburg Peace Festival (8 August) are not included. If you work on Saturdays or live in a municipality without that holiday, check the suggestions accordingly.
Guide
What is the Bridge Days Calculator?
The bridge day calculator finds the optimal bridge days in 2026 and 2027 to maximise free days with minimum holiday usage.
How does the Bridge Days Calculator work?
Select the year and state. The calculator analyses the position of public holidays and shows the best bridge-day combinations. For each suggestion the ratio of holiday days to free days is computed. The planning year 2027 is fully covered.
Key Data and Facts
Bridge day = working day between a holiday and a weekend. Best ratio: 1 holiday day for up to 4 free days. Holidays on Thursday or Tuesday are ideal.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to use the bridge-days calculator step by step: 1. Choose the year and Bundesland – besides 2026 the planning year 2027 is available. 2. Read off the optimal bridge days – the calculator shows where a single day of leave falls between a public holiday and the weekend. 3. Check the ratio: the best ratio is 1 day of leave for 4 days off (public holiday on Thursday + Friday off = Thu-Sun off). 4. Strategy for maximum free time: public holidays on Tuesday: take Monday off = 4 days off for 1 day of leave. Public holidays on Thursday: take Friday off = 4 days off for 1 day of leave. Public holidays on Wednesday: 2 days off (Mon+Tue or Thu+Fri) = 5 days off. 5. Public holidays on the weekend unfortunately bring no additional days off – in 2027 this affects 1 May (Saturday), 3 October (Sunday) and both Christmas holidays. 6. That makes the remaining weekday holidays all the more valuable in 2027: Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday (6 May 2027), Corpus Christi on 27 May 2027. 7. Tip: file the 2027 leave request early in autumn 2026, because bridge days are popular with colleagues and usually granted in order of arrival.
Calculation Example
2027: Ascension Day (Thu 6 May) + Friday 7 May off = 4 days off for 1 vacation day. Easter 2027: Good Friday 26 March to Easter Monday 29 March are off anyway; 4 days of leave (30 March to 2 April) turn this into 10 consecutive days off. 1 May 2027 falls on a Saturday and yields no bridge day.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
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