Public holidays in Austria (Feiertage) are 13 nationally recognised days each year when employees are entitled to a paid day off. Austrian public holidays are regulated by the Arbeitszeitgesetz (Working Time Act), and the rules apply uniformly across all nine Austrian states. As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply, how to pay employees, and what happens when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Austria’s public holiday system is among the most generous in Europe, with 13 days off including both Catholic and national observances. The key challenge for employers is managing compensation when holidays fall on weekends, as Austrian law provides specific rules for these situations. This guide covers all Austrian public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under Austrian employment law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Austrian Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Neujahr) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) | 6 January | Tuesday |
| Easter Monday (Ostermontag) | 6 April | Monday |
| State Holiday (Staatsfeiertag) | 1 May | Friday |
| Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) | 25 May | Monday |
| Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) | 15 August | Saturday |
| National Day (Nationalfeiertag) | 26 October | Monday |
| All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen) | 1 November | Sunday |
| St. Martin’s Day (Martinstag) | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Immaculate Conception (Unbefleckte Empfängnis) | 8 December | Tuesday |
| Christmas Day (Weihnachten) | 25 December | Friday |
| St. Stephen’s Day (Stefanstag) | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Ascension Day (14 May) and Corpus Christi (14 May) both fall on the same date in 2026 — this is unusual and occurs because Easter falls early. Assumption Day (15 August) falls on a Saturday, All Saints’ Day (1 November) falls on a Sunday, and St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Are All 13 Holidays Mandatory?
Yes. All 13 public holidays are mandatory under the Arbeitszeitgesetz. You cannot:
- Replace a public holiday with a different day off
- Require employees to work without specific justification
- Pay employees in lieu of the day off (unless they actually work)
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Public Holiday Falls on a Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they receive their full salary. The holiday is treated as a paid working day.
Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Austrian law provides for compensation:
- Public holiday on a Saturday: The employee receives an additional day off or additional pay, depending on the collective agreement
- Public holiday on a Sunday: The employee receives a substitute day on the next working day
Assumption Day (15 August) falls on a Saturday, All Saints’ Day (1 November) falls on a Sunday, and St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026. Check your collective agreement for how these are handled.
Calculating a Day’s Pay
- Fixed salary employees: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 22)
- Hourly employees: Normal hourly rate × hours normally worked on that day
- Commission-based: Include regular commissions in the calculation
Example: An employee earning €3,800/month works Monday to Friday. National Day (26 October) falls on a Monday. Their daily pay is €3,800 ÷ 22 working days = €172.73.
Working on Public Holidays
Austrian law permits work on public holidays only in specific circumstances:
- Essential services: Hospitals, fire services, utilities, transportation
- Continuous operation industries: Manufacturing, hospitality, media
- Emergency situations: Fire, flood, industrial accident
- Special authorisation: The employer may need permission from the labour inspectorate (Arbeitsinspektorat)
Compensation for Working
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They receive their regular pay
- They receive a substitute day off — within the period set by the employer or collective agreement
- Premium pay may be required — check your collective agreement
The substitute day off is mandatory — you cannot simply pay double and skip the day off.
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave (Urlaub) do not count as leave days. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on leave, their leave is extended by one day.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 14-17 August 2026. Assumption Day (15 August) falls within this period. The employee uses 2 leave days (14 and 16 August), not 3.
Religious vs. National Holidays
Austria’s public holidays include both religious and national observances:
Religious Holidays
- Epiphany, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi
- Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, Immaculate Conception
- Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day
National Holidays
- New Year’s Day, State Holiday (1 May), National Day (26 October)
These are mandatory regardless of the employee’s religion.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting Weekend Substitutions
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, you must provide compensation. Check your collective agreement for the specific rules.
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave is a common compliance error.
Incorrect Pay Calculations
Using the wrong divisor (e.g., 30 days instead of 22 working days) can result in incorrect daily pay calculations.
Ignoring Collective Agreements
Collective agreements often exceed statutory requirements. Failing to apply the correct Kollektivvertrag can result in penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Austria observes 13 public holidays each year — all are mandatory
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, compensation is required through substitute days or additional pay
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- Employees who work on a public holiday receive a substitute day off
- Religious and national holidays are mandatory regardless of the employee’s beliefs
- Always check your Kollektivvertrag for additional entitlements
Managing Austrian public holidays — especially the weekend substitution rules and collective agreement variations — requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars so you never miss an entitlement.