Working Days in Spain: Everything You Need To Know
Thinking about working in Spain? Whether you're relocating from elsewhere in Europe or looking to launch your international career, it's important to understand Spain’s working culture, legal framework, and everyday routines.
This guide gives you all the essential details on working hours, public holidays, and annual leave, so you're fully prepared to live and work in Spain.
Does Spain have a 4-day work week?
As of 2026, the four-day work week is not a national standard. The labor market has instead focused on reducing total working hours.
Legal Standard (37.5 Hours): The main legislative shift has been the reduction of the statutory work week from 40 to 37.5 hours, typically distributed over 5 days.
Adoption Rate: The pure 4-day week remains a specific benefit offered primarily by Tech companies, Startups, and Creative agencies to attract talent.
Pilot Outcomes: Trials in regions like Valencia showed positive productivity results, which accelerated the policy for general hour reduction rather than a mandatory 4-day schedule for all sectors.
Standard Working Hours in 2026
The "37.5-Hour Week" Update
While there is a strong political push to reduce the statutory work week, the situation in 2026 is transitional.
Legal Standard: The maximum legal working week currently remains 40 hours (averaged annually).
The 37.5-Hour Reform: Legislation is in progress with the aim to reduce the work week to 37.5 hours without salary reduction. Many companies, particularly in the Tech and Public sectors, have already adopted this standard ahead of the mandatory law.
Overtime: Any work exceeding 40 hours (or the agreed contract hours) must be compensated financially or with time off. The legal maximum remains 80 hours of paid overtime per year.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Definitions
Full-time: Typically 40 hours per week (usually 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
Part-time: Regulated as any contract with fewer hours than a full-time peer (commonly 20-30 hours). Common in hospitality and retail.
Saturdays: Many local shops close earlier; larger chains remain open full-time.
Sundays: Most shops are closed, except for some24/7 supermarkets or tourist zones.
Lunch breaks: Between1:30 PM and 5:00 PM, many small shops close
In the hot south, a longer lunch break is necessary to escape the heat and therefore shops are open longer in the evenings than in the north.
⏰ Opening hours vary regionally, especially between north and south due to climate differences.
What is Full-Time and Part-Time Work in Spain?
Full-time: 40 hours per week (soon to shift to 37.5), with regulated overtime.
Part-time: Up to 20 hours/week— common in retail, hospitality, and student jobs.
Your employment contract will clearly define your hours and compensation structure.
Public Holidays in Spain
Spain has a complex holiday system consisting of 14 public holidays per year.
8 National Holidays: Celebrated everywhere.
4 Regional Holidays: Decided by the Autonomous Community (e.g., Madrid vs. Catalonia).
2 Local Holidays: Decided by the specific city (e.g., City of Madrid vs. City of Barcelona).
The "Sunday Rule" (Important for Expats): In many regions (like Madrid or Andalusia), if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the day off is moved to the following Monday.
However, in Catalonia (Barcelona) and the Basque Country, this is generally not the case; if a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is "lost" or not automatically rescheduled.
🗓 Always check local calendarsfor an accurate picture of your time off.
National Public Holidays (Observed Nationwide)
January 1: New Year's Day
January 6: Epiphany (Three Kings' Day)
Variable (March/April): Good Friday
May 1: Labour Day
August 15: Assumption of Mary
October 12: Hispanic Day (Fiesta Nacional de España)
November 1: All Saints' Day
December 6: Constitution Day
December 8: Immaculate Conception
December 25: Christmas Day
Madrid: Specific Holidays
Variable (March/April): Maundy Thursday (The Thursday before Easter). Note: Madrid typically takes Thursday + Friday off, but works on Easter Monday.
May 2: Community of Madrid Day
May 15: San Isidro (Patron Saint of the city)
November 9: La Almudena (Patron Saint of the city)
Barcelona: Specific Holidays
Variable (March/April): Easter Monday. Note: Barcelona works on Maundy Thursday but takes Friday + Monday off.
June 24: St. John’s Day (Sant Joan) – Famous for fireworks the night before.
September 11: National Day of Catalonia (La Diada)
September 24: La Mercè (Patron Saint of the city)
December 26: St. Stephen’s Day (Sant Esteve)
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 22 working days of paid vacation per year.
You can usually take at least two weeks consecutively, though this depends on company policy.
August and September are the most common months for holidays and some companies may require you to take time off during this period.
Start Your Adventure in Spain
While working hours in some regions of Spain may differ significantly from those in other nations, you can generally expect similar hours in Spain's major cities as in other European ones. It is important that you understand how the Spanish system operates before deciding on employment opportunities in this country. By being aware of these factors, you can ensure that you're well-prepared and able to enjoy a healthy work-life balance. Now that you have all of these details covered you can start beginning your job search in Spain.
