Public holidays in Italy (giorni festivi) are 12 nationally recognised days each year when employees are entitled to a paid day off. The Italian civil code and the national collective bargaining agreements (CCNL) govern public holiday entitlements. As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply, how to pay employees, and what happens when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Italy’s public holiday system is relatively straightforward compared to some European countries — the 12 holidays are the same nationwide, with limited regional variations. However, the rules for compensation when holidays fall on weekends are more nuanced. This guide covers all Italian public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under Italian labour law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Italian Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Capodanno) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Epiphany (Epifania) | 6 January | Tuesday |
| Easter Sunday (Domenica di Pasqua) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Lunedì dell’Angelo) | 6 April | Monday |
| Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) | 25 April | Saturday |
| Labour Day (Festa del Lavoro) | 1 May | Friday |
| Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica) | 2 June | Tuesday |
| Assumption Day (Ferragosto) | 15 August | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione) | 8 December | Tuesday |
| Christmas Day (Natale) | 25 December | Friday |
| St. Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano) | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Easter Sunday (5 April) falls on a Sunday, Liberation Day (25 April) falls on a Saturday, 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 12 Holidays Mandatory?
Yes. All 12 public holidays are mandatory for all employers in Italy. 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, Italian law provides for compensation through the “roll-over” mechanism. Under this system:
- The holiday is “recovered” — it’s added to the next working day or distributed across the year
- The collective agreement (CCNL) determines how the compensation works
- Most CCNLs require the employer to pay an additional 1/12 of the annual salary for each public holiday that falls on a non-working day
Example: If a public holiday falls on a Sunday and the employee works Monday to Friday, the employer must compensate them. The CCNL specifies whether this is paid as an additional day’s salary or distributed as a monthly supplement.
The Roll-Over (Rollover) Mechanism
Under the roll-over system:
- 1 public holiday on a Sunday → Employee receives 1/12 of monthly salary as compensation
- 2 public holidays on Sundays → Employee receives 2/12 of monthly salary
- Public holiday on a Saturday → Varies by CCNL; some require a full day’s pay
This compensation is separate from the employee’s regular salary.
Calculating a Day’s Pay
For daily-paid employees:
- Fixed salary employees: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 26 for 6-day weeks, 22 for 5-day weeks)
- Hourly employees: Normal hourly rate × hours normally worked on that day
Example: An employee earning €2,800/month works Monday to Friday. Easter Sunday (5 April) falls on a Sunday. Under the roll-over mechanism, the employee receives an additional €2,800 ÷ 12 = €233.33 as holiday compensation.
Working on Public Holidays
Italian law permits work on public holidays only in specific circumstances:
- Essential services: Hospitals, utilities, transportation
- Continuous operation industries: Manufacturing, hospitality
- Emergency situations: Fire, flood, industrial accident
- Special authorisation: The employer may need permission from the labour inspectorate
Compensation for Working
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They receive their regular pay
- They receive a substitute day off (giorno di riposo compensativo) within a reasonable period
- Some CCNLs require additional premium pay
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave (ferie) do not count as leave days. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on holiday, 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.
Regional and Local Holidays
In addition to the 12 national holidays, regions and municipalities can designate additional holidays:
Regional Holidays
Each region can designate up to 2 additional holidays. These vary by region and may include:
- Patron saint days (e.g., San Gennaro in Naples, Sant’Ambrogio in Milan)
- Regional foundation days
Municipal Holidays
Municipalities can designate additional holidays for local celebrations. These are typically patron saint days.
Check your region and municipality for additional holidays that may apply to your employees.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the Roll-Over Mechanism
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, you must compensate the employee through the roll-over mechanism. Failing to do so is a common payroll error.
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave results in under-compliance.
Ignoring Regional Holidays
Regional holidays may apply to your employees even if you’re based in a different region. Check the rules for each employee’s location.
Incorrect CCNL Application
The collective agreement determines how roll-over compensation is calculated. Using the wrong CCNL can result in incorrect payments.
Key Takeaways
- Italy observes 12 public holidays each year — all are mandatory nationwide
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, the roll-over mechanism requires compensation (typically 1/12 of monthly salary)
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- Regional and municipalities can add additional holidays
- Employees who work on a public holiday receive a substitute day off
- Always check your CCNL for specific compensation rules
Managing Italian public holidays — especially the roll-over compensation mechanism — requires precise tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars and calculates correct compensation so you stay compliant.