It is a known fact that tax in Italy is one of the highest in Europe. But still, you find so many expats relocating to Italy for good. Have you ever thought why?
It is due to the work and life balance you get in Italy.
All companies are known for public holidays in Italy and paid vacations. Yes, this is the statement not from me, but from someone who moved back to Italy from America.
Although America is considered the land of opportunity, not many appreciate it for the work-life balance. And it is for a reason. To each and everyone there are many different reasons. But my friend had a very blunt observation – those places do not have many holidays or vacations. And he is right.
Italy has 11 national public holidays, the 2nd highest in the EU region. But his reason is not just for the national holidays. Imagine this, you get around 20 working days as holidays, plus other time off etc.
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In spite of all these holidays, vacation days and Riduzione Orario di Lavoro or ROL, Italians still complain when they see holidays fall on weekends. Yes, unlike other countries the Italian holidays are taken on the day they fall and not being moved to the nearest Monday. Meaning, you lose a day of the holiday when it falls on the weekend.
This year we are lucky!!!
Yes, unlike the public holidays of Italy in 2022, this year public holidays almost all except New Year fall on weekdays. On top of it, we will get 5 long weekends in 2023 due to holidays falling either on Friday or Monday this year.
Public Holidays in Italy
Here is the list of public holidays in Italy. I have highlighted the holidays in bold and it is for a reason. Basically, they help in getting a long weekend.
January 1, 2023 (New Year’s Day): Sunday
January 6, 2023 (Epiphany): Friday
April 10, 2023 (Easter Monday): Monday
April 25, 2023 (Liberation Day): Tuesday
May 1, 2023 (Labour Day): Monday
June 2, 2023 (Italian Republic Day): Friday
August 15, 2023 (Ferragosto): Tuesday
November 1, 2023 (All Saints’ Day): Wednesday
December 8, 2023 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): Friday
December 25, 2023 (Christmas Day): Monday
December 26, 2023 (St Stephen’s Day): Tuesday
Not just long weekends, there are also bridge holidays in Italy that make these public holidays in Italy more attractive.
Long Weekends and Bridge Holidays
So, how are the chances of ‘fare il ponte‘ this year? Or bridge holidays?
If you are new, bridge holidays are the trick of taking an extra day off if the public holidays in Italy fall either on a Thursday or Tuesday.
Unfortunately, it is half of what we got in 2022. Yes, only two opportunities for taking this bridge holiday this year. Do not worry, to compensate for this, public holidays are mostly falling on Monday/Friday thereby giving the opportunity for long weekends.
Get ready, and book your tickets to explore the marvels in Italy. Long weekends will help to travel a bit farther. The longer public holidays in Italy really help in planning long-distance train rides.
