If you are planning to work in Portugal or considering relocation, it’s essential to understand the country’s working days, hours, and labor laws. Portugal follows European Union regulations, ensuring a balance between professional and personal life. In this guide, we’ll cover working days, standard hours, overtime rules, and public holidays in Portugal for 2025.

How Many Working Days Are There in Portugal?

Portugal typically has Monday to Friday as official working days, similar to most European countries. This means:

• Working Days: Monday to Friday

• Weekend: Saturday and Sunday (non-working days)

• Public Holidays: 13 national holidays + regional holidays depending on the city

On average, there are about 252 working days in a year after excluding weekends and public holidays.

Standard Working Hours in Portugal

According to Portuguese labor law:

• Full-time work: Maximum 40 hours per week

• Daily limit: 8 hours per day

• Rest period: Minimum 1-hour lunch break for full-time employees

Some companies allow flexible work hours or remote work options, especially in tech and customer service sectors.

Overtime Rules

Overtime in Portugal is compensated as follows:

• First hour: 25% extra pay

• Additional hours: 37.5% extra pay

• Weekend or holiday work: 50% extra pay

Public Holidays in Portugal (2025)

Portugal observes 13 national public holidays, including:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day

• April 25 – Freedom Day

• May 1 – Labor Day

• June 10 – Portugal Day

• August 15 – Assumption of Mary

• December 25 – Christmas Day

Some regions also have local holidays (e.g., Lisbon Day on June 13).

Annual Leave and Vacation

Employees in Portugal are entitled to:

• 22 working days of paid annual leave

• Additional leave may be provided by collective agreements or companies

Work-Life Balance in Portugal

Portugal is known for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Remote work, flexible hours, and a strong focus on family time make it one of the best countries for professionals looking for a balanced lifestyle.

Summary Table