The 2026 Work Calendar in Spain: Public Holidays, Annual Hours and Planning
How the work calendar is built
The work calendar is the document that sets working days, public holidays and the distribution of annual working time. It must be displayed in a visible place at the workplace under Article 34.6 of the Workers Statute. In 2026 it is made up of three levels of holidays: national, regional and local.
2026 public holidays
- National: set by the Government (for example, 1 January, 1 May, 15 August, 12 October, 8 December and 25 December, among others).
- Regional: each autonomous community publishes its own in its official gazette.
- Local: each municipality sets two days, usually tied to its patron-saint festivities.
In total, each worker enjoys a maximum of 14 public holidays per year, in addition to the paid annual leave.
Maximum annual hours
The maximum ordinary working time is 40 hours per week on average over the year. Annual hours are calculated by deducting holidays, paid leave (a minimum of 30 calendar days) and rest periods. The collective agreement may set a shorter working day, which prevails over the legal maximum.
Integration with time tracking and leave
A good calendar must connect with the working-time record and with leave planning. Marking holidays in the clock-in system avoids counting non-working days as absences and lets you reconcile actual hours with the theoretical annual total.
- Load the national, regional and local holidays applicable to each site.
- Define the annual working time according to the collective agreement.
- Sync the calendar with leave requests.
- Review long weekends and adjust shifts in advance.
With RegulaKit you can generate the calendar per site, integrate it with time tracking and plan leave without overlaps. If you worry about a penalty for failing to display or comply with the calendar, try the penalty calculator.
Final tips
Publish the calendar before the year begins, negotiate it with the workers legal representatives when required, and review it if regional or local holidays change. Clear planning reduces conflict and improves work-life balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays are there in 2026?
A maximum of 14 per year per worker: national, regional and two local holidays, in addition to annual leave.
How many hours can be worked per year?
The maximum is 40 hours per week on average over the year, unless the collective agreement sets a shorter one.
Is it mandatory to publish the work calendar?
Yes. Article 34.6 of the Workers Statute requires displaying it in a visible place at the workplace.
How are holidays integrated with time tracking?
By marking them in the recording system so they are not counted as absences and the annual hours reconcile.
Who sets local holidays?
Each municipality sets two local holidays, usually tied to its patron-saint festivities.