With 2020 coming to an end, we have left behind a difficult year, marked by the covid-19 pandemic, which often forced us to be confined at home. Therefore, let us look to the future, with the hope that in 2021 it will be possible for us to make better use of the 17 holidays, 13 of which are mandatory. These accounts also include three public holidays of the various municipal holidays that exist, and Carnival, which is optional.
The good news is that 11 holidays are during the week and only six at the weekend, with the possibility of making six bridges.
The year 2021 does not start off badly. January 1st is a national holiday. As it is Friday, there is the possibility to do a long weekend of three days. It will not be possible to travel from county to county and there is a curfew in those that, due to the covid-19, have problematic numbers, but it will be possible to rest.
In February, the first possibility of bridging is waiting. Carnival falls on February 16th, a Tuesday, of course. The holiday is optional, as it depends on the decision of the municipalities and companies, but it can be four days of rest, with a possible bridge at 15, which is Monday. As a matter of fact, it is customary for the Government to give tolerance at this point as well.
Then there are three more possibilities for bridges: 4 and 11 June and 4 October. Easter is not a bridge, but it always offers the possibility of a long weekend of three days, between the 2nd and the 4th of April.
In addition, there are still three municipal holidays; on 13 June (Sunday), Santo António Day; on the 24th of June, S. João (Thursday) and the 29th of June (Tuesday), St. Peter’s Day, the latter two providing a bridge for those who live in the municipalities that celebrate them.
The less profitable holidays in 2021 fall in May, August and December: May 1 (Labor Day), August 15 (Assumption Day) and Christmas fall in the weekend.
Here is the complete list of holidays and possible bridges:
- January, 1st. The year begins with a mandatory holiday that in 2021 hits a Friday.
- February 16th, Tuesday, Carnival. Possible bridge, on Monday the 15th is not a mandatory holiday, it depends on the decision of the Government, the municipalities and the companies, and the possible tolerance of bridge is also dependent on this decision.
- April 2, Good Friday. You can do a long weekend, since on April 4, Sunday, Easter is celebrated and it is a holiday.
- April 25 happens to be a Sunday, Freedom Day.
- May 1st, even on a Saturday, Labor Day.
- June 3rd falls on a Thursday. It is the holiday of the Body of God. And it gives the possibility of a bridge on Friday, which is the 4th of June.
- June 10 also falls on a Thursday, Portugal Day. It allows a bridge, on Friday, which is the 11th of June.
- June 13 is a Sunday, St. Anthony’s Day. It is a municipal holiday. It is celebrated in counties like Lisbon and Vila Real.
- June 24 is on a Thursday. It’s St. John’s Day and it’s also a municipal holiday. Possible bridge, on Friday, for those who celebrate this holiday. It is celebrated in counties like Porto, Braga and Almada.
- August 15th is a Sunday. It is the day of the Assumption of Our Lady.
- October 5th is scheduled on a Tuesday, the Day of the Republic’s Implantation. Possible bridge, on Monday, October 4th.
- November 1st falls on a Monday. All Saints’ Day is celebrated. It gives for a long weekend.
- December 1st is a Wednesday. Holiday for the Restoration of Independence.
- December 8, Wednesday, is the day of the Immaculate Conception.
- December 25th got it right on a Saturday. It’s Christmas.
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