Easter Monday, on April 6, 2026, is one of the most unevenly observed public holidays in the Western calendar. In some countries it is a cherished public holiday capping a four-day weekend; in others it is an ordinary Monday. If you work across borders or are planning spring travel, here is exactly where Easter Monday is a day off in 2026.
Countries where Easter Monday is a public holiday
Across much of Europe, Easter Monday is firmly on the holiday calendar. Germany observes it nationwide on April 6, 2026, as does France, where it is known as Lundi de Paques. Italy also takes Easter Monday (Pasquetta), traditionally a day for outdoor picnics and outings. In the United Kingdom, Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland on April 6, 2026, though notably not in Scotland, which observes different spring holidays. Australia also takes Easter Monday as a public holiday, extending its Easter break, and Canada’s federal public service observes it as well.
The big exception: the United States
The United States does not observe Easter Monday as a federal holiday. Good Friday is not a federal holiday either, though some states and many private employers treat it as one. For Americans, Easter weekend in 2026 runs Saturday to Sunday like any other, which surprises many European colleagues. If you are scheduling transatlantic business around April 3 to 6, 2026, remember that your European counterparts are likely offline on both the Friday and the Monday, while US offices are open as usual.
Spain and the regional picture
Spain illustrates how Easter holidays can fragment within a single country. Easter Monday is not one of Spain’s nine nationwide holidays for 2026; whether it is a day off depends on the autonomous community. Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands traditionally observe it, while Madrid and Andalusia generally do not. Germany shows a similar pattern for other Easter-adjacent days, though Easter Monday itself is nationwide there. The lesson: for Easter, always check the regional calendar, not just the national one.
Planning around Easter 2026
Good Friday falls on April 3, 2026, giving much of Europe and the Commonwealth a four-day weekend when combined with Easter Monday. That makes early April one of the busiest spring travel periods: book flights and accommodation early, expect higher prices, and confirm opening hours for attractions. In the Gulf and South Asia, Easter is not a public holiday, so business continues normally. Whatever your plans, the key dates are simple: April 3 (Good Friday) and April 6 (Easter Monday) are days off across most of Europe, the UK, Australia, and Canada, but not in the United States.
Making the most of the four-day weekend
Where Easter Monday is a holiday, the Good Friday to Easter Monday stretch is one of spring’s finest long weekends, and it rewards early planners. City breaks are the classic choice: European capitals are lively but not yet at summer prices, and the weather is usually kind. If you prefer to stay local, the four days suit bigger projects, from garden overhauls to family visits that need more than a Sunday. One warning: because the whole continent moves at once, popular destinations book out fast, and Monday return traffic can be heavy. Travellers heading to the United States, where Monday is a normal working day, will find American colleagues bemused by the European exodus. Wherever you spend it, the Easter weekend is a reminder that the calendar’s quirks are best enjoyed, not endured.