Anyone living, working or investing in Spain in 2026 would be wise to take a close look at the official public holiday calendar. Public holidays play a far greater role in Spanish daily life than in many other European countries — not only culturally, but also administratively. Public offices close, banks operate on limited schedules, and around so-called puentes(long weekends), large parts of the country can come to an almost complete standstill.
Spa.in Press
National Public Holidays 2026 (Nationwide)
These holidays apply across the whole of Spain and are set at national level:
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1 January (Thursday) – New Year’s Day
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6 January (Tuesday) – Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day)
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3 April (Friday) – Good Friday
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1 May (Friday) – Labour Day
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15 August (Saturday) – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
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12 October (Monday) – Spain’s National Day
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8 December (Tuesday) – Immaculate Conception
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25 December (Friday) – Christmas Day
These dates are binding nationwide, regardless of region or municipality.
When Public Holidays Fall on a Sunday
In 2026, two significant public holidays fall on a Sunday:
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1 November – All Saints’ Day
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6 December – Constitution Day
Spain does not apply an automatic nationwide rule to shift these holidays to the following Monday. Instead, each autonomous community decides whether to move the holiday, replace it with a regional celebration or ignore it altogether. Anyone requiring planning certainty should therefore always consult the relevant regional calendar.
Regional Public Holidays: A Country of Differences
In addition to national holidays, each autonomous community has its own official festive days. Key examples for 2026 include:
Catalonia
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6 April (Monday) – Easter Monday
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24 June (Wednesday) – St John’s Day
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11 September (Friday) – Catalonia’s National Day (La Diada)
Balearic Islands & Valencian Community
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6 April (Monday) – Easter Monday
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24 June (Wednesday) – St John’s Day
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9 October (Friday) – Valencian Community Day
Madrid
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2 May (Saturday) – Community of Madrid Day
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Possible substitute holidays for 1 November or 6 December
Galicia
Galicia regularly replaces holidays that fall on a Sunday:
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19 March (Thursday) – St Joseph’s Day
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24 June (Wednesday) – St John’s Day
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25 July (Saturday) – Galicia Day
For foreign residents, entrepreneurs and investors, Spain’s public holiday calendar is far more than a formality. Contract deadlines, administrative procedures, notary appointments and construction schedules are often shaped by regional holidays. Particularly in spring and around December, several consecutive days off can significantly slow down public administration and business activity.
Spain in 2026 offers several classic puentes, especially around 1 May, 12 October and the Christmas period. However, not every public holiday applies uniformly across the country. Those seeking certainty should always check regional and municipal calendars alongside national dates.
Spain remains a country that takes its public holidays seriously — and this, in many ways, defines its distinctive rhythm of life.
