Spain’s holiday system operates on three tiers: national holidays that apply everywhere, regional holidays set by each autonomous community, and local holidays determined by individual municipalities. With 17 autonomous communities and over 8,000 municipalities, the total number of possible holidays is substantial.
For employers operating across Spain, understanding how festivos work at each level is essential for payroll compliance and workforce planning. This guide covers the national holidays, regional variations, and how to manage a multi-community workforce.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Spain has 12-14 national public holidays per year
- Each autonomous community adds 2-4 additional regional holidays
- Local municipalities can add further holidays
- The total ranges from 14 to 16 holidays depending on location
- Employers must apply the correct calendar for each employee’s work location
National Public Holidays (All Autonomous Communities)
These holidays are mandatory across all of Spain:
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Epifanía del Señor (Epiphany) | 6 January | Tuesday |
| Viernes Santo (Good Friday) | 3 April | Friday |
| Fiesta del Trabajo (Labour Day) | 1 May | Friday |
| Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption) | 15 August | Saturday |
| Fiesta Nacional de España | 12 October | Monday |
| Día de la Hispanidad | 12 October | Monday |
| Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day) | 1 November | Sunday → Monday 2 |
| Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day) | 6 December | Sunday → Monday 7 |
| Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception) | 8 December | Tuesday |
| Navidad (Christmas Day) | 25 December | Friday |
Note: When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically observed.
Regional Holidays by Autonomous Community
Each community selects 2-4 additional holidays from a government-published list:
Andalucía
- Día de Andalucía (28 February)
- Día de la Constitución (may replace national if moved)
- Additional: local holidays vary
Aragón
- Día de Aragón (23 April)
- San Jorge (23 April)
Asturias
- Día de Asturias (8 September)
- Día de los Santos Mártires (12 September)
Islas Baleares
- Día de las Islas Baleares (1 March)
- Día de Mallorca (12 September)
Canarias
- Día de Canarias (30 May)
- Día de la Hispanidad (12 October)
Cantabria
- Día de las Instituciones de Cantabria (28 July)
- Día de la Virgen Bien Aparecida (15 September)
Castilla-La Mancha
- Día de Castilla-La Mancha (31 May)
- Día de la Castidad (8 December)
Castilla y León
- Día de Castilla y León (23 April)
- Día de la Virgen de Araceli (15 May)
Cataluña
- Día de la Diada (11 September)
- Día de Sant Esteve (26 December)
Extremadura
- Día de Extremadura (8 September)
- Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (6 September)
Galicia
- Día de Galicia (25 July)
- Día de las Letras Gallegas (17 May)
La Rioja
- Día de La Rioja (9 June)
- Día de San Mateo (21 September)
Comunidad de Madrid
- Día de la Comunidad de Madrid (2 May)
- Fiesta de San Isidro (15 May)
Región de Murcia
- Día de la Región de Murcia (9 June)
- Día de los Derechos Sociales (varies)
País Vasco
- Día del País Vasco (25 October)
- Día de la Virgen de Begoña (15 August)
Comunidad Valenciana
- Día de la Comunidad Valenciana (9 October)
- Día de la Virgen de los Desamparados (varies)
Ceuta
- Día de Ceuta (2 September)
- Fiesta de la Virgen de África (varies)
Melilla
- Día de Melilla (17 September)
- Día de Melilla (varies)
How Many Holidays in Total?
| Location | National | Regional | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (any community) | 12 | 2 | 14 |
| Maximum (e.g., Catalonia) | 12 | 4 | 16 |
| With local holidays | 12 | 2-4 | 14-18+ |
Employer Obligations
Apply the Correct Calendar
Each employee receives the holidays of their work location’s autonomous community. If you have employees in both Madrid and Catalonia, they observe different regional holidays.
Local Holidays
Municipalities can designate up to 2 additional local holidays. These are typically:
- The patron saint’s day of the municipality
- A historically significant local date
Local holidays are published by each municipality and must be observed by employers in that municipality.
Substitute Holidays
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is generally observed. This applies at both national and regional levels.
Working on Public Holidays
Spanish law restricts work on public holidays. Exceptions exist for essential services, hospitality, and sectors requiring continuous operation. Employees who work on a holiday must receive a compensatory day off within a set period.
Managing Multi-Community Teams
Separate Calendars
Set up distinct holiday calendars for each autonomous community where you have employees. Apply the correct one based on work location.
Remote Workers
If an employee works remotely from a different community, the remote location’s calendar applies. An employee in Cataluña receives Catalan holidays, even if the employer is based in Madrid.
Communication
At the start of each year, share the relevant holiday calendar with each employee. Ensure they know which regional and local holidays apply to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many holidays does each Spanish community have?
Most communities have 14 total holidays (12 national + 2 regional). Some add more through additional regional or local holidays, bringing the total to 16-18 in some areas.
Can an employer apply a different community’s calendar?
No. The calendar is determined by the employee’s work location. You cannot apply a calendar with fewer holidays to reduce entitlement.
What happens if a regional holiday falls on a Sunday?
The following Monday is typically observed as the substitute holiday.
Are local holidays mandatory?
Yes. If a municipality declares a local holiday, employers in that municipality must observe it or provide an alternative day off.
Do temporary workers get public holidays?
Yes. Temporary and fixed-term contract workers are entitled to the same public holidays as permanent employees.