Public Holidays in Portugal 2026 – National & Catholic Holidays

Public holidays in Portugal in 2026 include 13 nationwide mandatory holidays established under Portuguese labour law. These include fixed national and religious holidays as well as movable Christian observances such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Corpus Christi. Optional holidays such as Carnival Tuesday are not part of the mandatory nationwide public-holiday schedule.

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Next Public Holiday in Portugal

Date	Day	Holiday	Status
October 5, 2026	Monday	Republic Day	Official Public Holiday

Public Holidays in Portugal 2026

Date	Day	Holiday	Status
January 1, 2026	Thursday	New Year's Day	Official Public Holiday
April 3, 2026	Friday	Good Friday	Official Public Holiday
April 5, 2026	Sunday	Easter Sunday	Official Public Holiday
April 25, 2026	Saturday	Freedom Day	Official Public Holiday
May 1, 2026	Friday	Labour Day	Official Public Holiday
June 4, 2026	Thursday	Corpus Christi	Official Public Holiday
June 10, 2026	Wednesday	Portugal Day	Official Public Holiday
August 15, 2026	Saturday	Assumption Day	Official Public Holiday
October 5, 2026	Monday	Republic Day	Official Public Holiday
November 1, 2026	Sunday	All Saints' Day	Official Public Holiday
December 1, 2026	Tuesday	Restoration of Independence Day	Official Public Holiday
December 8, 2026	Tuesday	Immaculate Conception	Official Public Holiday
December 25, 2026	Friday	Christmas Day	Official Public Holiday

How Public Holidays Work in Portugal

Portugal’s Labour Code establishes the country’s mandatory public holidays. Article 234 includes New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Freedom Day, Labour Day, Corpus Christi, Portugal Day, Assumption Day, Republic Day, All Saints’ Day, Restoration of Independence Day, Immaculate Conception and Christmas Day.

Most of these holidays have fixed calendar dates. Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Corpus Christi are movable Christian holidays, so their Gregorian dates change each year according to the Easter calendar.

National Public Holidays in Portugal

Portugal’s nationwide holiday calendar combines major national commemorations with Christian religious holidays. National observances include Freedom Day on 25 April, Portugal Day on 10 June, Republic Day on 5 October and Restoration of Independence Day on 1 December.

These nationwide mandatory holidays apply across Portugal and should be distinguished from municipal holidays and other local observances that apply only in particular areas.

Religious Public Holidays in Portugal

Several of Portugal’s mandatory public holidays are Christian observances. These include Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, Immaculate Conception and Christmas Day.

In 2026, Good Friday falls on 3 April, Easter Sunday falls on 5 April and Corpus Christi falls on 4 June. These dates vary from year to year because they are linked to the Easter calendar.

Freedom Day in Portugal

Freedom Day is observed annually on 25 April. It commemorates the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which ended Portugal’s authoritarian Estado Novo regime and paved the way for democratic government.

In 2026, Freedom Day falls on Saturday, 25 April.

Portugal Day

Portugal Day is observed annually on 10 June. Its official Portuguese name is Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas, and the holiday commemorates Portugal, Portuguese communities and the poet Luís de Camões.

In 2026, Portugal Day falls on Wednesday, 10 June.

Republic Day in Portugal

Republic Day is observed every year on 5 October. It commemorates the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1910 following the end of the constitutional monarchy.

In 2026, Republic Day falls on Monday, 5 October.

Restoration of Independence Day

Restoration of Independence Day is observed annually on 1 December. It commemorates the restoration of Portuguese independence in 1640 after the period of Iberian Union.

In 2026, Restoration of Independence Day falls on Tuesday, 1 December.

Is Carnival Tuesday a Public Holiday in Portugal?

Carnival Tuesday is not one of Portugal’s mandatory nationwide public holidays under the Labour Code. Portuguese law treats Carnival Tuesday as an optional or facultative holiday rather than a compulsory national holiday.

Whether employees receive Carnival Tuesday off may therefore depend on public-sector decisions, collective agreements, employment arrangements or local practice. It should not be added to the main nationwide public-holiday schedule as a mandatory holiday.

Municipal Holidays in Portugal

Portugal also has municipal holidays that are separate from the nationwide public-holiday calendar. These local holidays vary by municipality and should not be classified as nationwide holidays.

For example, a municipal holiday may result in local closures in one city or municipality while businesses and public services elsewhere in Portugal continue operating normally.

What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend in Portugal?

Portugal does not generally move a nationwide public holiday to the following Monday simply because it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The holiday is normally observed on its calendar date unless a specific rule or official decision provides otherwise.

This means some public holidays may not create an additional weekday off when they coincide with the weekend.

Are Public Holidays Paid in Portugal?

Portugal’s Labour Code regulates employment rights connected with mandatory public holidays. Employees covered by Portuguese labour law are generally entitled to the protections and compensation rules established for public-holiday work.

Specific entitlements can depend on the employee’s working arrangements, collective agreements and whether work is required on the holiday. Employers and employees should refer to the applicable Labour Code provisions and employment agreements for individual cases.

Are Shops and Businesses Open on Public Holidays in Portugal?

Opening arrangements vary by business type and location. Some restaurants, tourism businesses, shopping centres and essential services may operate on public holidays, while government offices and many other workplaces may close.

Opening hours can also be reduced, so travelers and residents should check directly with individual businesses before visiting on a public holiday.

Long Weekends in Portugal in 2026

Several 2026 holidays fall next to Portugal’s normal weekend and can create convenient long weekends without requiring an official substitute holiday.

• Good Friday: Friday, 3 April, creates a three-day weekend before Easter Sunday.
• Labour Day: Friday, 1 May, creates a three-day weekend.
• Republic Day: Monday, 5 October, creates a three-day weekend.
• Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December, creates a three-day weekend.

Workers may be able to extend other breaks by using annual leave next to a Tuesday or Thursday holiday, but those additional leave days are not official public holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nationwide public holidays are there in Portugal in 2026?

Portugal has 13 mandatory nationwide public holidays in 2026 under the holiday framework set out in the Portuguese Labour Code.

What is the next public holiday in Portugal?

The next public holiday changes throughout the year. Use the live Next Public Holiday section above for the current holiday name and date.

Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in Portugal?

Yes. New Year’s Day on 1 January is one of Portugal’s mandatory nationwide public holidays.

Is Good Friday a public holiday in Portugal?

Yes. Good Friday is a mandatory public holiday in Portugal. In 2026, it falls on Friday, 3 April.

Is Easter Sunday a public holiday in Portugal?

Yes. Easter Sunday is included among Portugal’s mandatory public holidays. In 2026, it falls on 5 April.

Is Carnival Tuesday a national public holiday in Portugal?

No. Carnival Tuesday is treated as an optional or facultative holiday rather than a mandatory nationwide public holiday.

When is Portugal Day in 2026?

Portugal Day is observed on 10 June every year. In 2026, it falls on Wednesday, 10 June.

When is Republic Day in Portugal?

Republic Day is observed annually on 5 October. In 2026, it falls on Monday, 5 October.

Does Portugal move weekend public holidays to Monday?

Not generally. Nationwide public holidays are normally observed on their actual calendar dates rather than automatically transferred to the next Monday.

Are municipal holidays the same throughout Portugal?

No. Municipal holidays vary by municipality and apply locally, so they should be kept separate from Portugal’s nationwide mandatory public holidays.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Portugal

• Diário da República: Portugal’s Labour Code establishes the mandatory public holidays under Article 234.
• Direção-Geral da Administração da Justiça: the official 2026 judicial calendar confirms national holidays and movable dates such as Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
• Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho: its official 2026 calendar confirms dates including Good Friday, Corpus Christi and Portugal Day.