Portuguese Bank Holidays in 2026

Knowing the main bank holidays in Portugal is more than just about becoming aware of when you will possibly have some additional breaks.

It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the country’s main traditions and cultural festivities and a smart way to make your annual paid holidays stretch a little further.

Before opening up your calendar to schedule your next trips, or maybe even a short visit back home, there are a few things that are important to know about the public holidays in Portugal. The first one is that, in the country, holidays are celebrated – and observed – always on their official date.

That means that, if a holiday falls on the weekend, the time off will not be transferred to any other day.

The other thing to know is that, as a result of Portugal’s strong Catholic roots, there are quite a few holidays that have a religious meaning or background, even if some have outgrown their initial purpose, becoming a part of the country’s broader culture, such as Santos Populares.

It's also important to take into account that Portugal has both national days – celebrated in the whole country – and local celebrations, that will vary in each of the regions of Portugal. This is especially important to know in case you work in a city and live in another, as companies follow the calendar of where they are located.

Last but not least: Portugal’s law on annual paid holidays says that every year employees have the right to 22 business days.

That means that, if you take your time off on a week that has a holiday in it, you will use only 4 days, rather than the typical 5.

That is also a major reason why so many people take their annual leaves during the Corpus Christ Holiday, or the Santos Populares week, both during the summer.

Following the global trend this is a day for rest after the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

In Portugal, people usually stay home getting ready for the new year ahead.

Almost everything is closed, including restaurants and markets and that holds true even in the country’s largest cities.

This is a Christian holiday surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and it always precedes Easter.

From that day up until the weekend, many cities hold processions, where devotees take long walks in the streets behind religious figures that are carried across the path. 

This is an important Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ, and it’s usually spent among family.

During that period, Portuguese people exchange chocolates and consume almonds and some other typical dishes that will vary from one region to another. 

This is one of the most emblematic holidays in Portugal, as it commemorates the end of a long dictatorship, conquered through a pacific military intervention.

On this day, Portuguese nationals and residents take to the streets with carnations in their hands, which is the main symbol of the revolution that led to Portugal’s freedom and to a new democratic phase. This has become the tradition of many families, who enjoy a nice spring day celebrating among the crowds. 

As is many other countries, Labour Day is a national holiday in Portugal. It’s a day with many political manifestations and committees' reunions around the country.

This holiday does not have a fixed date, and it happens on the second Thursday following the Pentecost Sunday, or 60 days after Easter.

This is a religious celebration, and many cities have the tradition of making flower tapestry on the streets, where later on devotees pass on top of during the processions. 

Besides being Portugal National Day, the 10th of June is also the day of the poet Camões and of the Portuguese communities, and it was chosen precisely because that was the day that, in 1580, Luís Vaz de Camões passed away.

Yet another Christian holiday, the Assumption of Mary pays homage to Virgin’s Mary death and resurrection, through pilgrimages and dedicated masses.

On the 5^th of October of 1910, Portugal’s monarchy came to an end, giving place to the Implantation of the Republic. This date is celebrated with military parades, playing of the national anthem in Lisbon’s City Hall, flag raising and with the delivery of decorations. 

On the first day of November, Portuguese people pay homage to the deceased. Many go to cemeteries to clean and decorate the gravestones of their loved ones. In smaller cities, kids also keep the old tradition of going around their neighbourhoods asking for “Pão por Deus”, or “Bread for God”, receiving baked goods, nuts and sweets in return.

Read More:
Halloween in Portugal: How It’s Celebrated and What to Expect

On the 1^st of December of 1640, a revolution took place in the country, overthrowing the Spanish dynasty that had ruled the country since 1580 and thus restoring Portugal’s Independency.

It commemorates the Catholic belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin, a doctrine formally proclaimed by the Church in 1854.
In Portugal, the Immaculate Conception holds particular significance, as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the patron saint of the country. Since the restoration of Portuguese independence in 1640, Portuguese monarchs symbolically placed the crown at her feet, recognising her as Queen of Portugal.

Bolo Rei, or King's Cake, a traditional Christmas Treat.

As in many countries around the globe, Portugal celebrates Christmas with many themed decorations, street markets and a jolly spirit. Families usually have a special dinner on Christmas Eve, where gifts are exchanged, and then gather again – or with friends – for lunch on the actual holiday, which is the 25^th. 

Each region has its own set of holidays as well, usually celebrated at a municipal level. A lot of Portuguese cities will have a holiday in homage to their patron saint, and some will also celebrate the day the municipality was created.

Although bank holidays are the only ones that count when it comes to taking some extra days off, there are other dates that are important to know when living in – or even visiting - Portugal, as they usually bring along some type of tradition, like the exchange of gifts or the consumption of a certain type of food or drink. Here are some of main the ones:

On this day, people celebrate love, especially from a romantic point of view. As in many other countries, couples usually exchange gifts and take the chance to have a special dinner. In larger cities, there are great chances that restaurants have special menus and booking in advance is advised.

The Portuguese Carnival is a modest affair, mostly aimed at children, where they dress up and put on masks (not unlike Halloween, without the trick or treating). It's also an opportunity for parades, dances, and to also play some pranks.

There's a saying in Portugal: "No Carnaval ninguém leva a mal!” which means that, during this holiday, no one should take the pranks seriously. There's also a religious association with this holiday, which precedes the Lent, and is marked by the Festivity of Entrudo. During this festivity, locals dress up dolls in straw and engage in a sort of "battle of the sexes”.

Carnival is an optional holiday, meaning that companies and governmental agencies can choose if they will give the day off or not. 

Read More:
Carnival in Portugal

Following the global calendar, Portugal also takes the 8th of March to celebrate International Women’s Day and the importance of the rights and achievements of women.

Unlike Mother’s Day, which is not on a fixed date, Father’s Day is always celebrated on the same day, no matter when it falls on the week. For many, that means meeting their fathers only for dinner or even on a close weekend.

Portugal has a strong family-driven culture and, on Mother’s Day, a special lunch among generations is a tradition. People even travel back to their hometown in order to do so.

Even though only some municipalities have this a bank holiday, Saint Martin’s Days is interesting because it brings the tradition of eating Portuguese nuts, a must during autumn in Portugal, accompanied by Jeropiga, a strong sweet wine that is combined with aguardente. 

Whether you just got here or not, being aware of Portugal’s 2026 bank holidays will help you to plan effectively and enjoy the country’s rich cultural fabric.

From the lively festivals marking religious observances to the commemorations of key national milestones, each date reflects the proud traditions of Portugal.

Do keep an eye on official announcements each year to confirm final dates as some of them can occasionally change. With the right preparation, these bank holidays can provide you with a wonderful opportunity to experience Portuguese heritage first-hand.