Maximize Your 20 Days of Annual Leave for Extended Breaks in 2026

As 2026 approaches, many employees in Ireland are eager to plan their holidays effectively. Full-time workers typically receive around 20 statutory days of annual leave, with some employers offering between 23 and 26 days or more. With the right planning, these days off can be transformed into extended holiday breaks.

Rob Brooks, a holiday expert at On The Beach Ireland, shared valuable strategies for maximizing annual leave by aligning it with 10 bank holidays on the Irish calendar. According to Brooks, “In Ireland, for those that work a standard five-day working week, the law requires you to have a minimum of 20 days annual leave per year or 29 days including bank holidays.” His approach suggests that by booking strategically around public holidays, employees can extend their weekends into full weeks of relaxation.

To illustrate this strategy, Brooks provides a comprehensive plan for booking leave in 2026. For instance, taking off January 2 will result in four consecutive days off. Similarly, booking February 3 and March 16 will yield four days off each. The plan intensifies in April, where taking leave from April 7 to April 10 could provide up to nine days off, particularly if employers grant leave on Good Friday.

The potential for extended breaks continues with these suggested bookings:
– **May 5-8**: Nine consecutive days off
– **June 2-5**: Nine consecutive days off
– **August 4-8**: Nine consecutive days off
– **October 27-30**: Nine consecutive days off
– **December 29-31**: Eight consecutive days off

While this strategy appears advantageous, Brooks emphasizes the need for employees to consider their specific workplace policies. “It will vary depending on where and who you work for, and some companies will include bank holidays within the entitlement,” he noted. He advises prioritizing the days that align best with personal preferences for holidays.

For self-employed individuals, this framework is even more flexible, as they can choose their time off without the constraints typically faced by full-time employees.

As the year draws to a close, planning ahead can ensure that employees make the most of their annual leave, allowing for more substantial periods of rest and recuperation in 2026.