During the presentation of his major orientations for the 2026 budget on Tuesday, François Bayrou suggested removing two holidays on the calendar, in this case Easter Monday and May 8. A proposal that makes jump in the ranks of oppositions. But where is France among its European neighbors in this matter?
This is the announcement that arouses the most reactions this Wednesday. Tuesday afternoon, during a speaking entitled “Moment of Truth”, François Bayrou unveiled his major orientations for the 2026 budget. The Prime Minister presented a plan intended to generate nearly 44 billion euros in savings in which the abolition of two holidays appears.
While specifying that it is only “proposals” – the finance bill will not be debated in parliament until the fall – François Bayrou has targeted two days in particular: Easter Monday “which has no religious meaning” according to him as well as May 8 “in a month of May which became a real Gruyère, where we jump from bridges to holiday viaducts”.
According to the Head of Government, removing two public holidays report “several billion in the state budget, simply because companies, businesses, the public service, the nation will work and our production will be improved”. But this argument did not hit the national rally, in particular, who threatened François Bayrou with censorship in the event of a two -holidays’ abolition. “The abolition of two holidays, which is also also loaded with meaning as Easter Monday and May 8, is a direct attack on our history, against our roots, and against France of work. No RN deputy will accept this measure, which is provocation,” said Jordan Bardella.
Only five countries are less well off than France in the EU
It must be said that France is far from being the best loti country in this area on the old continent, indicates the Toutleurope.eu site. With currently 11 holidays registered in the calendar, France even arrives at the tail of the peloton. Within the EU, only five countries have fewer days: Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, with only 9 days, but also Belgium and Ireland, with 10 days. With two less days, France would therefore be part of the four least generous European countries.
Tied with France, we find Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Hungary, Greece and Estonia while all the other EU countries register more holidays on their calendar. This is for example the case of Cyprus, number 1 of this ranking with 15 days. Then come Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, Malta and Spain, with 14 days. Note that the Spanish can enjoy cumulative holidays thanks to the special parties to certain regions. Catalonia thus celebrates its own national holiday on September 11, while that of the Madrid community took place on May 2, the day after the Labor Day.
With 13 dates, Austria, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic also have more public holidays than France, just like Slovenia (12 days).
