Germany's 2027‑2028 Bridge Days Can Yield Up to 17 Consecutive Free Days

A new analysis by the German platform papa.de shows that, by strategically combining public holidays with bridge days, workers in several federal states can turn as few as six vacation days into up to 17 consecutive free days in 2027 and 2028. The most advantageous states include Baden‑Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony, where six booked days produce 17 days off. In 2028, Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern achieve the same result.

The study highlights that Thursday holidays such as Buß‑ und Bettag or the Feast of the Three Kings create especially long stretches when a Friday is taken off. The platform also offers an interactive calendar to help families, especially fathers, plan these periods.

Separately, HR data from Deel indicates that German employees’ vacation peaks around December rather than the summer, with 61.7 % taking at least one day off in the last week of the year versus 26.5 % in August. Median vacation usage remains low in the first half of the year, suggesting many will schedule longer breaks later.

Labor lawyer Lucas Rößler warns that taking leave without employer approval can lead to dismissal. He advises early application for popular bridge‑day periods and notes that once approved, vacation cannot be revoked except for serious emergencies.