Public holidays

Austria recognizes 13 statutory public holidays on which work is generally prohibited. These holidays are New Year's Day, Epiphany, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, National Day, All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and Saint Stephen's Day. Additionally, Whit Monday is observed as a public holiday. On these days, employers must not require employees to work unless specific exemptions apply under Austrian labour law.

The regulation governing public holidays in Austria is established under the Feiertagsruhe (public holiday rest) provisions, which fall under Austrian employment and labour law. The Arbeiterkammer (Austrian Workers' Compensation Board) serves as the authoritative source for guidance on these regulations.

Public holidays in Austria are paid days off for employees. Employers must ensure that employees receive their regular wages for these days without deduction. The prohibition on work applies broadly across sectors, though certain industries and roles may have limited exemptions for essential services, emergency work, or continuous operations where work cannot be interrupted.

Payroll teams must ensure that compensation for public holidays is correctly calculated and processed. When an employee works on a public holiday due to an exempted circumstance, they are typically entitled to additional compensation or compensatory time off. Employers should maintain clear records of any public holiday work and corresponding remuneration to ensure compliance with Austrian labour standards. Accurate tracking of these 13 days throughout the calendar year is essential for correct payroll processing and employee compensation.