How Many Days Do Europeans Get Off Around Christmas Time?

The holiday period leading up to and including Christmas in Europe is a time of celebration and relaxation for many. However, the number of days off can vary significantly depending on the country and local customs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the public holidays observed during this period in various European countries.

Celebratory Holidays in Europe

Christmas Day (December 25) is a public holiday in most European countries, meaning employees have a day off from work. Boxing Day (December 26) is also recognized in several countries, such as the UK and Ireland, although it is less widely celebrated. New Year's Day (January 1) is another major public holiday across most of Europe.

Additional Holiday Days

Besides the major holidays, some countries observe additional days for spiritual or cultural reasons:

St. Stephen's Day (December 26): Celebrated in countries like Austria, Hungary, and parts of Italy. Epiphany (January 6): A public holiday in countries such as Spain, Italy, and parts of Germany.

This means that many Europeans can expect to have around 3 to 5 days off during the Christmas and New Year period. However, depending on local customs and additional holidays, some may have up to 10 days off. Additionally, many workers choose to take additional vacation days around this time, leading to longer breaks.

Workplace Variations

The number of days off can also vary greatly depending on the type of work. For example, in the UK, shops might only have one day off on Christmas Day and may open on Boxing Day for sales. Factories and building firms might close from December 24th to January 2nd. In contrast, healthcare workers, such as those in hospitals, never have a break as their shifts continue every day and night. The pay for working these inconvenient hours is significantly higher than for ordinary days.

Country-Specific Examples

Norway

In Norway, the holiday period typically includes:

Christmas Eve: Either a full or half-day off for many employees. Christmas Day: A public holiday. 2nd Day of Christmas: A public holiday. New Year's Eve: A public holiday. New Year's Day: A public holiday.

Additionally, if Christmas Eve falls on a Monday or Tuesday, some people might take Thursday and/or Friday off. While many people enjoy having off on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, some workplaces remain open, especially in healthcare, due to the higher pay for inconvenient hours.

England

In England, the holiday period includes:

Christmas Day (December 25) Boxing Day (December 26): If these fall on weekends, the 27th and 28th become Bank Holidays. New Year's Day (January 1): A Bank Holiday.

Notably, the days around Christmas are the ones people generally prefer to have off, with many workplaces closing for the majority of those days. Schools in England typically have a break from December 24th to January 3rd.