Public holidays in Portugal are governed by the Labour Code (Código do Trabalho) and apply to all employees regardless of contract type. In 2026, Portugal observes 13 national public holidays, and employers must ensure workers receive either a paid day off or compensatory pay when these fall on working days.
Getting public holiday entitlements wrong exposes you to labour authority fines and employee grievances. This guide covers every 2026 holiday, regional variations in the Azores and Madeira, and how to handle scheduling and payroll.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Portugal has 13 national public holidays in 2026
- Employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays that fall on working days
- If an employee works on a public holiday, they must receive either a compensatory day off or a 50% pay premium
- The Azores and Madeira observe additional regional holidays
- Employers cannot unilaterally require employees to work on public holidays without justification
- Public holidays that fall on Sundays do not automatically transfer to another day
All 13 National Public Holidays in Portugal 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Ano Novo (New Year’s Day) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Carnaval (Carnival Tuesday) | 17 February | Tuesday |
| Sexta-feira Santa (Good Friday) | 3 April | Friday |
| Páscoa (Easter Sunday) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Dia do Trabalhador (Labour Day) | 1 May | Friday |
| Dia de Portugal (Portugal Day) | 10 June | Wednesday |
| Corpus Christi | 15 June | Tuesday |
| Assunção de Nossa Senhora (Assumption Day) | 15 August | Saturday |
| República (Republic Day) | 5 October | Monday |
| Todos os Santos (All Saints’ Day) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Restauração da Independência (Restoration of Independence) | 1 December | Tuesday |
| Imaculada Conceição (Immaculate Conception) | 8 December | Tuesday |
| Natal (Christmas Day) | 25 December | Friday |
Note: Easter Sunday (5 April) falls on a Sunday and is not technically a public holiday under Portuguese law — it is included for reference as a bank holiday observed by many employers.
Regional Holidays: Azores and Madeira
Portugal’s autonomous regions observe additional public holidays:
Azores (Açores)
In addition to national holidays, the Azores observe:
- Dia dos Açores (Azores Day) — 10 September (Sunday in 2026)
- Dia de São João (St. John’s Day) — 24 June (Wednesday in 2026)
Madeira
In addition to national holidays, Madeira observes:
- Dia da Madeira (Madeira Day) — 1 July (Wednesday in 2026)
- Transmigração (Transmigration Day) — 15 August (shares date with Assumption Day)
Important: If you have employees in the Azores or Madeira, you must account for these extra holidays in your payroll and scheduling. Failure to grant them is a compliance violation under regional labour regulations.
How Public Holidays Affect Pay
Employees Entitled to a Paid Day Off
When a public holiday falls on an employee’s regular working day, the employee is entitled to:
- A paid day off at their normal daily pay rate
- No reduction in salary for the holiday
When an Employee Works on a Public Holiday
If operational needs require an employee to work on a public holiday, the employer must provide:
- A compensatory paid day off within 30 days, OR
- A pay premium of 50% on top of the normal daily rate
The employee gets to choose which option they prefer — the employer cannot decide for them.
Public Holidays on Weekends
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday (e.g., Assumption Day on 15 August, All Saints’ Day on 1 November), there is no automatic entitlement to a substitute day off. However, many employers choose to grant the following Monday or Friday off as a courtesy.
Check your employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements — some sectors may provide substitute days even when the law does not require it.
Carnival Tuesday: What Employers Should Know
Carnival Tuesday (Terça-feira de Carnaval) is unique to Portugal among EU countries. It is a public holiday, but with a catch:
- Employees have the right to a day off, but it is not a mandatory paid holiday under the Labour Code for all sectors
- Collective bargaining agreements in certain industries may grant paid leave for Carnival
- Employers in tourism, hospitality, and retail often need to schedule staff to work — they must grant a compensatory day off
Practical tip: Check your sector’s collective bargaining agreement (Convenção Colectiva de Trabalho) to confirm whether Carnival Tuesday is a paid holiday for your employees.
Scheduling and Operational Planning
Advance Notice Requirements
The law requires employers to provide reasonable advance notice when scheduling work on public holidays. In practice, you should:
- Inform employees at least 14 days in advance when possible
- Document any agreement to work on a public holiday in writing
- Record the compensatory day off agreed upon
Sectors with Essential Services
Certain sectors cannot close on public holidays — healthcare, emergency services, hospitality, tourism, and transportation. For these:
- Employees must be offered a compensatory day off within 30 days
- Collective bargaining agreements may specify additional compensation
- Rotate public holiday duties fairly across staff
Record-Keeping Requirements
Portuguese employers must maintain records of:
- Public holidays observed for each employee
- Any days worked on public holidays
- Compensatory days off granted
- Premium pay calculated and paid
Keep these records for the duration of employment plus five years, as required by the Labour Code.
Common Mistakes Employers Make
1. Ignoring Regional Holidays
If you have remote workers in the Azores or Madeira, their additional holidays are legally binding — not optional perks.
2. Choosing the Compensatory Option for Employees
When an employee works on a public holiday, the employee decides whether they want a day off or the pay premium. You cannot impose the cheaper option.
3. Forgetting Carnival Tuesday
Many foreign employers operating in Portugal are caught off guard by Carnival Tuesday. It is a public holiday and employees are entitled to time off.
4. Not Updating Payroll Systems
Update your payroll system at the start of each year with the new public holiday dates. Miscalculating a holiday that falls on a weekend can cascade into payroll errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do part-time employees get public holidays off?
Yes. Part-time employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays that fall on days they would normally work. If a public holiday falls on a day they do not work, there is no entitlement.
Can an employer force an employee to work on a public holiday?
An employer can request an employee to work on a public holiday for urgent operational needs, but must grant a compensatory day off or pay a 50% premium. The employee cannot be penalised for refusing.
Are public holidays included in annual leave?
Public holidays are separate from annual leave. Employees are entitled to both their statutory 22 days of annual leave and all applicable public holidays.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a Saturday?
The public holiday is observed on Saturday, and there is no automatic entitlement to a substitute day off. Some collective agreements or company policies may provide a substitute — check your arrangements.