Working Days – Portugal
In Portugal, there are 13 mandatory public holidays distributed throughout the calendar year, during which employees are entitled to paid rest. The Portuguese system does not include the concept of 'bank holiday' or substitute days; holidays are fixed and apply uniformly across the entire national territory.
Annual summary
| Other year | Working days | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 251 | |
| 2026 | 252 | |
| 2027 | 253 | |
| 2028 | 250 |
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Holiday rules and practice in Portugal
How public holidays work in Portugal, and what that means when you count working days.
- Standard work week
- Monday–Friday
- 40 hours per week
- Substitute days
- No
- A public holiday that falls on a weekend is not replaced, so it produces no extra day off.
- Regional variation
- No
- Public holidays apply uniformly across the whole country.
Bank holidays
Portugal uses 'feriado obrigatório' (mandatory holiday) for statutory days off.
Local terminology
| Working day | dia útil |
|---|---|
| Public holiday | feriado |
Worth knowing
- 4 optional/municipal holidays were abolished 2012–2016, then restored in 2016.
- Portugal Day (Jun 10) is an important national holiday.
- No substitute days.
- Corpus Christi (Corpo de Deus) is an official public holiday.
Frequently asked questions
How many mandatory public holidays are there in Portugal and how do they affect the calculation of working days?
Portugal has 13 mandatory public holidays distributed throughout the year, including New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, Freedom Day, Labour Day, Corpus Christi, Portugal Day, Assumption of Mary, Republic Day, All Saints' Day, Restoration of Independence, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas. These days must be deducted from the calculation of working days in payroll and contracts.
If a mandatory public holiday falls on a weekend, is there compensation or a substitute day?
No. Portugal does not provide substitute days when a holiday coincides with Saturday or Sunday. The holiday is observed on its natural date, with no entitlement to additional compensation or an alternative day off.
What is the legal working week duration in Portugal and how does it relate to the calculation of working days?
The standard working week in Portugal is 40 hours, typically distributed Monday to Friday. Mandatory public holidays interrupt this schedule and must be excluded from the calculation of working hours and working days for payroll purposes.
Is Portugal Day (10 June) always a mandatory public holiday?
Yes, Portugal Day is a nationally recognized mandatory public holiday observed annually. This day celebrates Portuguese culture and is one of the 13 fixed holidays that comprise the national calendar of paid leave.
Are there regional or municipal holidays in Portugal that vary by geographic area?
No. The Portuguese system establishes 13 uniform national public holidays across the entire territory, with no regional or municipal variations. All mandatory public holidays apply equally to all employees, regardless of their place of work.