Finland's workers will see fewer bonus days off in coming years. The current year offers ten extra weekdays off, the maximum possible. This matches last year's total.
Three leaner years follow. Next year brings only nine extra days off. The year 2027 drops to eight days, then 2028 returns to nine.
These counts include Christmas Eve and Midsummer Eve. Most Finnish collective bargaining agreements treat these as holidays.
Eleven potential weekdays could become holidays each year. One always falls on a weekend regardless.
This year, Independence Day lands on Saturday. Next year sees Independence Day on Sunday and Boxing Day on Saturday. The year 2027 pushes May Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day to weekends.
Workers must wait until 2029 for another full ten bonus days. The worst scenario brings just seven extra days off, which next occurs in 2033.
Some Finnish holidays have fixed dates, others follow specific days. Easter always surrounds a weekend, while Christmas holidays follow calendar dates.
Future holiday counts assume no policy changes. Finland occasionally debates moving May Day or fixing it to weekends.
Past adjustments show Finland's holiday traditions evolve. Whit Sunday became Whit Saturday from 1973 to 1991, eliminating that extra day off. Older Finns recall when Midsummer was always June 24, not the current Saturday celebration dating from 1955.
This gradual reduction in bonus holidays comes as many workers face increased pressure. The lost days effectively extend annual working time without compensation.