Public holidays

Spain observes ten national public holidays annually: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Labour Day, Assumption Day, National Day (Hispanic Day), All Saints' Day, Constitution Day, Immaculate Conception Day, and Christmas Day. These holidays are recognized across all Spanish territories and provide employees with paid time off from work obligations.

The regulatory framework governing public holidays in Spain is established under the Spanish Workers' Statute (Estatuto de los Trabajadores) and supplemented by Royal Decrees that designate specific dates each year. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration oversees the official calendar of national holidays.

Beyond the ten national public holidays, Spain's 17 autonomous communities—including Catalonia, Basque Country, and Andalusia—have the authority to designate additional regional holidays specific to their territories. These regional holidays vary by community and may commemorate local historical events, patron saints, or cultural observances. Employers must recognize both national and applicable regional holidays within their jurisdiction.

Employees are entitled to receive their regular wages on public holidays without performing work, except in essential services where continuity is required. When work is performed on a public holiday, employees typically receive additional compensation or compensatory time off, as determined by collective bargaining agreements or company policy.

Payroll teams must maintain accurate holiday calendars reflecting both national and regional observances for each employee's location. Failure to properly recognize public holidays can result in wage disputes and regulatory penalties. Annual holiday calendars should be updated to reflect any changes announced by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.