Holiday entitlement calculator — Portugal 2026

How holiday entitlement works in Portugal

The general rule is 22 working days per year (Art. 237 Labour Code). Working days are Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. So 22 working days is roughly 30 calendar days on average.

First year of work (Art. 238)

In the year you are hired, you accrue 2 working days per month of contract, up to a maximum of 20 days. You can only take them after 6 complete months of work, and they may be taken until 30 June of the following year.

Payment on exit (Art. 245)

When the contract ends, the employer must pay:

• Pay and allowance for any accrued but unused holidays from previous years.
• Pro rata pay and allowance for the time worked in the year of exit (about 2 days per month worked).

What you get paid

Per Art. 264, for every 22 working days of holidays, the employer pays the regular monthly salary plus an equal holiday allowance (subsídio de férias). That is why holidays in Portugal are often described as being paid double.

Collective agreements (CCT)

Many sectors have collective bargaining agreements that grant more than the legal 22 days. Check your sector or contract — if you have extra days, enter them in the field above. The list of active CCT is maintained by DGERT.

Can the employer choose your holiday dates?

Holidays are scheduled by mutual agreement (Art. 241). If no agreement is reached, the employer can schedule between 1 May and 31 October, with at least 10 consecutive working days. The holiday map must be posted by 15 April. Couples working at the same company are entitled to take holidays together if they ask.