Portugal observes 13 national public holidays a year — most on fixed dates, a few tied to the movable date of Easter. Many businesses close for the day, and some (especially small, family-run shops) also close for an extended lunch or on Sundays.
Compiled from Portugal's official national public holiday calendar · Last verified 2026-07-16
Why This Matters
Government offices, banks, and many shops close entirely on public holidays — arriving expecting to handle paperwork or banking on one of these dates wastes a trip. Movable holidays (tied to Easter) fall on a different date every year, so a fixed mental calendar from a previous year won't work.
Key Facts
Fixed-date national holidays: New Year's Day (Jan 1), Freedom Day (Apr 25), Labour Day (May 1), Portugal Day (Jun 10), Assumption of Mary (Aug 15), Republic Day (Oct 5), All Saints' Day (Nov 1), Restoration of Independence (Dec 1), Immaculate Conception (Dec 8), Christmas Day (Dec 25).
Movable holidays tied to Easter: Good Friday and Corpus Christi (60 days after Easter Sunday) — check the current year's date, since Easter shifts every year.
Many municipalities also observe a local patron-saint holiday (e.g. Lisbon's Santo António on Jun 13) that isn't a national holiday but closes local shops and offices.
Large supermarkets and shopping malls typically stay open on Sundays and most holidays; small independent shops usually close.
Portugal doesn't have a strict siesta culture like Spain, but small-town shops sometimes close for a 1–2 hour lunch break (roughly 1pm–3pm).
Common Mistakes
Scheduling a bank or notary appointment on Apr 25, May 1, or Dec 25 — these are hard closures nationwide, not just reduced hours.
Assuming every shop follows mall hours — small independent shops in residential areas often close Sundays and holidays even when big retail chains stay open.