Despite each worker having the right to 22 business days of vacation by law, the strategic combination of holidays, long weekends, and extended weekends can make the rest period more productive.

And there is good news: 2025 brings several opportunities to enjoy holidays that fall on weekdays.

In 2025, there are 13 mandatory holidays and two optional ones (Carnival and municipal holidays). However, three coincide with the weekend, slightly reducing the number of workdays on which you can rest.

Bridges and long weekends.

January starts with a perfect holiday for a mid-week break: New Year's Day (January 1) will fall on a Wednesday.

March brings the first long weekend of the year with Carnival, celebrated on March 4th (Tuesday). Although optional, many public employees have time off and in the private sector, it depends on the company's policy;

April will be a strong month for rest, with three holidays: Good Friday (April 18), Easter Sunday (April 20), and Freedom Day (April 25), which falls on a Friday. Two long weekends are guaranteed this month.

May offers the possibility of a bridge between May 1st (Thursday, Labor Day) and the weekend.

In June, highlights include Portugal Day (June 10), which falls on a Tuesday. Those living in Lisbon can also enjoy Saint Anthony's Day (June 13), a Friday. In the same month, Corpus Christi is celebrated (June 19, Thursday), ideal for another long weekend.

The people of Porto are lucky in June, with the Day of São João (June 24th) falling on a Tuesday.

August brings the Assumption of Our Lady (August 15), which falls on a Friday, offering another long weekend;

The months of September and October do not offer much room, as the holidays of October 5 (Implantation of the Republic) and November 1 (All Saints' Day) fall on the weekend;

December, however, compensates with three holidays on weekdays: the Restoration of Independence Day (December 1) and the Immaculate Conception Day (December 8) will be on a Monday, while Christmas Day (December 25) falls on a Wednesday.

Summarizing and concluding: What are the guaranteed bridges and long weekends?

Bridges: There are five long weekends throughout the year, including March (Carnival), May (1st to 4th), June (7th to 10th), and the last one between December 25th and 28th;

Long weekends: There will be six in total, with highlights in April (18th to 20th and 25th to 27th), June (13th to 15th for Lisbon), August (15th to 17th), and December (November 29th to December 1st and 6th to 8th).

The year 2025 will be marked by several opportunities to maximize your rest! Don't miss any tips to save time and money, subscribe now to the weekly newsletter from Poupança no Minuto.

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