Quick answer: Austria has 13 public holidays in 2027. Several of them fall conveniently on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays, making it easy to create long weekends and extended breaks. With careful vacation planning and the strategic use of bridge days, employees can significantly increase their time off throughout the year.
Why are there so many public holidays in Austria?
Public holidays are more than just welcome breaks from everyday life. They usually have cultural, historical and social significance. Many Austrian public holidays have religious origins and reflect the country's long tradition, while others commemorate important national events such as the National Holiday. With a total of thirteen public holidays, Austria is one of the frontrunners in the EU. Only a few countries, such as Spain and Luxembourg, have a similar number of public holidays. For employees, this means more opportunities to relax and recharge their batteries.
All public holidays in Austria in 2027 at a glance
Before you enter your holiday dates, it is worth taking a look at the public holidays for the upcoming year. Austria has thirteen public holidays, which can vary depending on the federal state. Many dates fall conveniently on a Monday or Thursday, opening up perfect opportunities for long weekends. The graphic on the right provides an overview of all nationwide public holidays.
Vacation planning for 2027: the best long weekends and holiday combinations
If you plan your vacation days for 2027 wisely, you can make much more of your time off. Some public holidays are particularly well placed and can be combined with just a few bridge days to create longer periods of relaxation. Here is an overview of the best periods:
January to March
- New Year's Day (Friday, 1 January) & Epiphany (Wednesday, 6 January) – The year starts off particularly well for employees. Take Monday and Tuesday, 4 and 5 January, off and enjoy six consecutive days of relaxation right at the beginning of the year.
→ 1–6 January off = 6 days of relaxation with 2 vacation days. - Easter Monday (Monday, 29 March) – Ideal for a spring break. If you also take Tuesday to Friday off, you can enjoy nine consecutive days off.
→ 27 March–4 April off = 9 days of relaxation with 4 vacation days.
April to June
- Ascension Day (Thursday, 6 May) – The classic bridge day: take Friday off and enjoy four days in a row.
→ 6–9 May off = 4 days of relaxation with 1 vacation day. - Whit Monday (Monday, 17 May) – A free long weekend. With an additional day off on Friday before, you can extend it to four days.
→ 14–17 May off = 4 days of relaxation with 1 vacation day. - Corpus Christi (Thursday, 27 May) – Once again, Friday is ideal as a bridge day – perfect for an early summer break.
→ 27–30 May off = 4 days of relaxation with 1 vacation day.
July to September
There are no national public holidays on weekdays during these months. Assumption Day falls on a Sunday in 2027 and therefore does not provide an additional day off for most employees. Summer is therefore the ideal time to plan your main holiday.
October to December
- Austrian National Day (Tuesday, 26 October) – One of the most attractive public holidays of the year. Take Monday off and enjoy a four-day weekend.
→ 23–26 October off = 4 days of relaxation with 1 vacation day. - All Saints' Day (Monday, 1 November) – A long weekend without using any vacation days.
→ 30 October–1 November off = 3 days of relaxation with 0 vacation days. - Immaculate Conception (Wednesday, 8 December) – Take Monday and Tuesday off to enjoy five consecutive days off. Alternatively, you can take Thursday and Friday off for a longer December break.
→ 4–8 December off = 5 days of relaxation with 2 vacation days. - Christmas Day (Saturday, 25 December) & St Stephen's Day (Sunday, 26 December) – The Christmas holidays unfortunately fall on the weekend in 2027. However, taking time off between Christmas and New Year still allows you to enjoy a longer year-end break.
→ 24 December 2027–2 January 2028 off = 10 days of relaxation with 5 vacation days.
💡 Tip:The most attractive periods in 2027 are around New Year, Easter, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi and Austrian National Day. If you strategically distribute your vacation days around these public holidays, you can significantly extend your time off and enjoy several long weekends throughout the year.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD OUR PUBLIC HOLIDAY CALENDAR AND VACATION PLANNING GUIDE FOR 20206 HERE
Tips for planning your holidays in 2027
Good timing is everything – and that also applies to holiday planning. Plan ahead so that you can make the most of your days off and avoid unnecessary stress.
Communication: Especially around public holidays, many companies are extremely busy coordinating vacation days. Request your days off as early as possible to secure the best periods. This also ensures that projects and substitutions can be coordinated accordingly. Early planning often means more choice and fewer compromises.
Team coordination: Good coordination is crucial, especially in smaller teams or when working on projects. Coordinate your holiday times with colleagues so that important tasks continue to run smoothly and no one is overloaded. Transparent planning ensures better cooperation – and often more understanding when others want to take vacation days later on.
Timing & annual cycle: In almost every profession, the course of the year brings phases of varying intensity. After particularly busy weeks or projects, there are usually quieter periods that are perfect for taking time off. Use these periods specifically to recharge your batteries, gain some distance and start the next challenge with a clear head. Conscious planning ensures that your relaxation fits into your everyday life – without losing sight of important appointments or deadlines.
Extra tip: As tempting as it may sound to plan all your holidays at the beginning of the year, save a few days as a buffer. Spontaneous opportunities for short breaks, long weekends or private appointments that were not on your radar before often arise during the course of the year. Stay flexible by keeping a few vacation days in reserve.
Conclusion: Maximum relaxation with minimum use of vacation days
Public holidays are much more than mere interruptions in the working year – they remind us of traditions, history and shared values. At the same time, they are valuable fixed points for relaxation. Especially in a working day that is often characterised by speed and deadlines, short breaks help to recharge your batteries and maintain your performance in the long term.
Those who plan their days off wisely benefit even more: with strategic holiday planning, even in 2027, it will be possible to take many longer breaks with just a few vacation days. This creates small oases of relaxation in the calendar – without having to use up the entire annual holiday allowance. Those who plan ahead remain flexible, relaxed and start each new phase of work with greater composure.
FAQs: Holidays in Austria in 2027
In 2027, Austria will have a total of 13 statutory holidays that apply nationwide. Depending on the state, there may also be regional holidays or additional days off. Many of the statutory holidays in 2027 fall at particularly convenient times and offer great opportunities for long weekends.
In 2027, the following holidays in Austria fall on a weekend:
- Mariä Himmelfahrt - Sunday, August 15, 2027
- Christtag - Saturday, December 25, 2027
- Stefanitag - Sunday, December 26, 2027
Unfortunately, these holidays do not result in an additional day off for most employees.
The holidays around New Year’s, Easter, Christi Himmelfahrt, Fronleichnam, the National Holiday, and Mariä Empfängnis are particularly appealing in 2027. With just a few vacation days, you can plan several long weekends or even entire weeks of vacation. The combinations around Easter and the start of the year, in particular, offer an especially good balance between vacation days and free time.
With careful planning, it will be possible to schedule several longer recovery periods in 2027:
6 days off with only 2 vacation days around New Year’s
9 days off with 4 vacation days around Easter
Several 4-day weekends with only 1 vacation day around Christi Himmelfahrt, Fronleichnam, or the National Holiday
5 days off with 2 vacation days around Mariä Empfängnis
If you strategically schedule your vacation days around holidays and long weekends, you can significantly extend your time off and get the most out of your annual leave.
