Public Holidays in Portugal 2026/2027

March 17, 2026 • 3 min read •

By Kate Vodopian

Planning ahead makes life much easier when you are managing employee leave. In Portugal, employers need to keep an eye not only on nationwide public holidays, but also on optional local observances such as municipal holidays and, in some cases, Carnival Tuesday. Getting these dates right early on helps avoid staffing gaps and last-minute confusion.

Nationwide Public Holidays in Portugal 2026

These are the compulsory public holidays in Portugal for 2026:

• January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day
• April 3 (Friday): Good Friday
• April 5 (Sunday): Easter Sunday
• April 25 (Saturday): Liberation Day
• May 1 (Friday): Labour Day
• June 4 (Thursday): Corpus Christi
• June 10 (Wednesday): National Day
• August 15 (Saturday): Assumption Day
• October 5 (Monday): Republic Day
• November 1 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day
• December 1 (Tuesday): Independence Restoration Day
• December 8 (Tuesday): Immaculate Conception
• December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day

Nationwide Public Holidays in Portugal 2027

These are the compulsory public holidays in Portugal for 2027:

• January 1 (Friday): New Year’s Day
• March 26 (Friday): Good Friday
• March 28 (Sunday): Easter Sunday
• April 25 (Sunday): Liberation Day
• May 1 (Saturday): Labour Day
• May 27 (Thursday): Corpus Christi
• June 10 (Thursday): National Day
• August 15 (Sunday): Assumption Day
• October 5 (Tuesday): Republic Day
• November 1 (Monday): All Saints’ Day
• December 1 (Wednesday): Independence Restoration Day
• December 8 (Wednesday): Immaculate Conception
• December 25 (Saturday): Christmas Day

Employee Rights on Public Holidays

In Portugal, compulsory public holidays are generally treated as paid non-working days. On those days, activities that are not permitted on Sundays must normally be closed or suspended.

Some businesses can still operate on public holidays, especially where Sunday work is already permitted or where the nature of the service requires continuous operation. In those cases, the practical rules on working time, premiums, and compensatory rest often depend on the applicable labour rules, sector arrangements, and collective agreements. Because of that, it is safer not to promise one single compensation model in the article unless you are citing the exact agreement that applies.

It is also worth noting that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, there is not always an automatic substitute day across the board. The Labour Code says that under specific legislation, certain mandatory holidays may be observed on the following Monday, but this is not a blanket rule for every holiday every year.

Fixed-term, part-time, and full-time employees are generally covered by the same Labour Code framework unless a lawful exception applies.

Optional Local Holidays

Portugal also allows certain optional observances. By collective labour regulation or employment contract, employers may observe Carnival Tuesday and the municipal holiday of the locality. These are not automatic nationwide compulsory holidays, so businesses should check what applies in their municipality, sector, and agreements.

Employer Responsibilities on Public Holidays

Employers should make sure their leave policies and work schedules reflect Portuguese labour law and any relevant collective bargaining agreements. That matters even more in sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, transport, and emergency services, where work on public holidays may still be required.

For small businesses, the sensible approach is simple: confirm the compulsory national dates, check whether a municipal holiday or Carnival Tuesday applies, and communicate clearly with employees before busy periods. That avoids misunderstandings and makes staffing much easier to manage.

Best Practices for Small Businesses

• Plan ahead: map out holiday pressure points early in the year.
• Check local rules: confirm whether a municipal holiday or optional observance applies.
• Use a leave management tool: this makes it much easier to spot overlapping absences.
• Communicate clearly: let staff know early if holiday cover or shift work will be needed.
• Review contracts and agreements: especially if your business operates on public holidays.

By understanding how public holidays work in Portugal and planning ahead, businesses can stay organised, reduce scheduling clashes, and keep employees better informed.

Planning effectively for 2026 and 2027 will help keep the year running much more smoothly.

Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. You should speak to a qualified legal or tax adviser about your specific situation. Only a professional adviser can confirm whether the rules apply to your business and employees in the way you expect. Any action you take based on this information is at your own discretion.