Public holidays in Portugal in 2025

Public holidays in Portugal in 2025 promise to be as emotional and bright as the culture of this country itself. To enhance your celebration experience to another level, read this article — we’ll cover all the dates and customs you need to know.

Portuguese holidays FAQ

How many public holidays are in Portugal?

Currently, there are 13 official Portuguese holidays. Almost everyone in the country takes a day off and joins the national celebration.

What are the bank holidays in Portugal?

Saying “bank holidays in Portugal” is another way of addressing public holidays. The latter expression is more commonly used, though.

How long are the national holidays in Portugal?

Each of the government holidays in Portugal usually lasts one day. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.

Is everything closed during Portuguese public holidays?

Most of the stores are closed. Restaurants are working and are usually filled with locals and tourists. Public transportation works on a restricted schedule.

So, spending Portuguese public holidays in town will be comfortable and fun if you’re ready for the crowd.

How to celebrate national holidays in Portugal as an expat?

We’ve got some tips for you:

• Learn the history and customs of each holiday. It will show your respect for the culture and help you blend in faster.
• Befriend a local. They’ll teach you the Portuguese ways to have fun during the holidays.
• Stay connected to the people back home. Share photos of festivals, tell them what you know about any public holiday in Portugal and transfer some money as a gift with Profee.

What else should I know as an expat in Portugal?

Here’s what may be interesting and valuable for you:

• Understand the cost of living in Portugal to manage your budget;
• Read an ultimate guide on health insurance in Portugal;
• Learn what NIF is.

Now, let’s see the list of holidays in Portugal in 2025!

Calendar of the public holidays in Portugal in 2025

Remembering all the dates of the government holidays in Portugal may save you time, energy, and money. You should prepare for the Portuguese holidays in advance: buy gifts, groceries and decorations before everyone in the country decides to do the last-minute shopping or the stores start closing.

Here’s the list of the public holidays in Portugal in 2025:

Add these dates to your calendar so you don’t miss them by chance. Also, add reminders to buy food before the day of the bank holidays in Portugal, as it may be challenging to find an open shop later.

Now, let’s explore the background of each of the national holidays in Portugal.

Facts about Portuguese holidays

New Year

The first among public holidays in Portugal in 2025 is New Year’s Day. Portuguese people share a lot of customs and traditions for this day. For example, at midnight, one should eat 12 raisins and make a wish for each of them. Also, the locals are serious about choosing the colour of your clothing. Wear blue to attract good luck, yellow to become more prosperous and red to find love in the upcoming year. And, of course, do some cleaning in your house to get evil spirits out of your household.

This public holiday in Portugal is filled with warmth and anticipation of the New Year’s miracles.

Good Friday

The next among national holidays in Portugal is Good Friday. This is a religious celebration during which Catholics remember the sacrificial death of Jesus. Christian processions take place all over the country. It’s also a good day to visit the local church.

If you're not Catholic, simply enjoy the day off and eat some dishes with codfish. Good Friday is a part of the Easter celebration, so it has a spirit of spring and new beginnings even after sacrifices. It reminds us that hope is always there!

Easter Sunday

After Good Friday, the Portuguese celebrate Easter Sunday. It continues the religious celebrations in the country. Again, the main activities are connected to visiting church and joining the Christian community. However, if you’re not a part of it, you may still enjoy decorating Easter eggs, eating chocolate Easter bunnies and going on a picnic with your family or friends. If the weather is pleasant, you should definitely take this opportunity to spend the day out.

Easter Sunday is a refreshing and happy celebration for everyone in Portugal. You can expect a huge public holiday in Portugal in 2025.

Liberation Day

The last day of the Portuguese holidays in April is celebrated on the 25th. This holiday reminds us of the dramatic events of the 20th century, a so-called ‘Carnation Revolution’ when Portugal was freed from the autocratic government and became a liberal country. During Liberation Day, the Portuguese hold street parties, watch patriotic movies and eat traditional festive meals. You can ask locals more about the history of this day, and they’ll be happy to see your interest in their country and culture.

Labour Day

This is when workers can spend time with their families and live outside of their companies. Most Portuguese treat Labour Day as an opportunity to rest, while others take it as a chance to speak up about working conditions and employees' rights.

As this government holiday in Portugal is celebrated in May, the weather is usually perfect for going out and spending time in nature. Organise your loved ones for a picnic and relax under the warm Portuguese sun.

National Day

National Day is when Portuguese worldwide unite and show their pride in their ancestry. During the day, locals read classical literature, such as Camoes’s poem, The Lusiads. People celebrate at home or on the streets. Plenty of official festivals and events are held, so you’ll find something to visit (even for free!).

It’s a good opportunity to learn more about Portuguese culture, so go to a museum if it’s open, read about the country’s history and deepen your knowledge about Portugal.

Corpus Christi

We’re returning to the religious Portuguese holidays. During Corpus Christi, people worship the Body of Christ. Higher church officials participate in a walk on a flower carpet and kneel down to the Body of Christ. Moreover, countless processions are happening. You may be interested in joining or witnessing one of such.

Corpus Christi’s history dates back to the 13th century, so it’s a huge and rich celebration.

Assumption Day

What is this day on the list of public holidays in Portugal in 2025? Assumption Day is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Portugal has a lot of religious holidays! And again, people join processions and church events all over the country. If you’re not Christian, you can just chill and spend the day watching your favourite TV show.

Republic Day

Republic Day emphasises the importance of one historical event: in 1910, the monarchy was replaced by the republic. After that, the country’s future was destined to change. This day is not celebrated on a big scale, but you can take some tours around important historical places and famous tourist attractions or use it as a self-care day.

All Saints’ Day

On this day, the Portuguese honour those who have left us and thank them for their protection. Some families light candles in memory of their relatives and visit a church to pray for them.

For the sweet part, you can bake cakes with cinnamon and treat children to chocolates. This is different from Halloween, which is a Catholic celebration that is not about dressing up as a ghost or a vampire.

Independence Restoration Day

Portugal was once Spanish and then fought for independence—successfully! Nowadays, there are some official events, but not much. You can use this opportunity to travel around Portugal and try to imagine how people lived back then.

Immaculate Conception

We’re approaching the end of the list of national holidays in Portugal. This day’s main idea is to honour the Virgin Mary. Local churches hold masses and festive events, which you can visit. Portuguese families also gather together over dinner to strengthen their bonds.

Christmas

Finally, Christmas is around the corner. This is one of the most popular holidays around the globe, especially in Europe. The streets are busy with festive markets, the smell of hot wine and laughter. Look for the traditional Portuguese recipes and cook warm dishes for you and your family. And remember about the gifts!

Conclusion

In this article, we show the calendar of Portugal’s public holidays in 2025, learn a little bit about their background, and answer questions such as “How many public holidays are in Portugal?”

Spend these celebrations happily and stay connected to your family back home with Profee transfers.