If there are things that AI (Artificial Intelligence) was created for, this kind of equation is one of them: we asked ChatGPT how many days off we could take in 2026, making the most of the number of vacation days we’re entitled to (22 days), and the answer follows in the next few lines.
Last year we already managed to do something like this, and in 2026 the opportunities for time off are also great, especially when we add vacation days to national (or municipal) vacations and bridges.
Make the most of 2026
As soon as the summer vacations are over, we quickly start thinking about next year, right?
Regardless of the type of vacation you like to take, there’s one thing we’re all looking for, and you’re no exception: you want to have as much time as possible to “switch off”, relax and spend more time with your family and friends.
I’d like to point out that this plan allocates only 13 days of vacation over the whole of 2026, leaving you 9 more to take whenever you want.
It should also be noted that when we talk about days off, we always count weekend days; and when we talk about vacation days, we mean the usual 22 days that every worker is entitled to.
January
New Year (January 1, Thursday): 1 day off (day 2) = 4 days off (Thursday to Sunday)
February
Carnival (February 17, Tuesday): 2 days off (day 13 + day 16) = 5 days off (Friday to Tuesday)
April
Holy Week (April 3-5): 1 vacation day (day 2) = 4 days off (Thursday to Sunday)
May
May 1st (Friday): 0 vacation days = 3 days off (Friday to Sunday)
June
Corpus Christi + Portugal Day (June 4th and 10th): 3 days off (5th, 8th and 9th) = 7 days off (Thursday to Wednesday)
October
October 5: 0 vacation days = 3 days off (Saturday to Monday)
December
December 1: 1 vacation day (November 30) = 4 days off (Saturday to Tuesday)
December 8: 1 vacation day (day 7) = 4 days off (Saturday to Tuesday)
Christmas and New Year (December 25 and January 1, 2027): 4 vacation days (the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st) = 10 days off (from Friday to Sunday)
If you take these 13 days strategically, you’ll be able to enjoy 9 extended periods, giving you a total of 44 days off throughout 2026, taking advantage of all public holidays, weekends and bridges, and we’re only considering the national holiday calendar in Portugal for next year (we’re assuming Carnival as a national holiday, but here it’s up to each company whether or not they provide the day).
List of national holidays for 2026
2026 will see 9 public holidays on weekdays, 10 if you count Carnival. Here’s the full list:
- New Year’s Day: January 1, Thursday
- Good Friday: April 3, Friday
- Easter Sunday: April 5, Sunday
- Freedom Day: April 25, Saturday
- Labor Day: May 1, Friday
- Corpus Christi : June 4, Thursday
- Portugal Day: June 10, Wednesday
- Assumption of Our Lady: August 15, Saturday
- Implantation of the Republic: October 5, Monday
- All Saints’ Day: November 1st, Sunday
- Restoration of Independence: December 1, Tuesday
- Immaculate Conception Day: December 8, Tuesday
- Christmas: December 25, Friday