What is the approach to Public Holidays in Nicaragua?
Nicaragua’s statutory calendar now includes 14 national paid public holidays under Article 66 of the Labor Code, as amended by Ley 1272, effective January 20, 2026. The application of the January 18 holiday in 2026 requires confirmation from the Ministry of Labor (MITRAB), as explained below. Employees are also entitled to one local holiday (or two regional holidays for employees in Managua). Holidays are statutory, fully paid, and count during maternity, paternity, adoption, and sick leave.
Employees who work on a national public holiday must receive 100% extra pay in addition to their normal day’s pay, meaning double pay. A substitute day off does not replace this payment. Separately, Article 68 provides for compensation when a national holiday falls on the employee’s weekly rest day, not only when it falls on a Sunday. See Labor Code, Articles 62 and 68. Employees may refuse to work on a public holiday unless their role is essential or otherwise agreed.
National Holidays (Observed Across Nicaragua)
January 1 – New Year's Day (Año Nuevo)
April 17 – Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo)
April 18 – Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
May 1 – Labor Day (Día del Trabajador)
May 30 - Mother's Day (Día de la Madre), a national paid holiday under Ley 1118 (2022)
July 19 – Sandinista Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución Sandinista)
September 14 – Battle of San Jacinto (Batalla de San Jacinto)
September 15 – Independence Day (Día de la Independencia)
December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción)
December 25 – Christmas Day (Navidad)
Employees based in the city of Managua are entitled to an additional 2 Regional Public Holidays:
- August 1st - Descent of Saint Dominic (Descenso de Santo Domingo)
- August 10th - Ascent of Saint Dominic (Ascenso de Santo Domingo)
National Holidays (Observed Across Nicaragua)
January 1 - New Year's Day (Año Nuevo)
January 18 - Tribute to the Universal Poet Rubén Darío. Paid-holiday status for 2026 is unconfirmed. Ley 1272 took effect on January 20, 2026, two days after this date. Confirm with MITRAB before treating January 18, 2026 as a paid holiday. January 18 is included in the statutory calendar from 2027 onward.
February 2 - National Day of Reconciliation and Peace
February 21 - Commemoration of General Augusto C. Sandino
April 2 - Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo)
April 3 - Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
May 1 - Labor Day (Día del Trabajador)
May 30 - Mother's Day (Día de la Madre)
July 19 - Sandinista Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución Sandinista)
September 14 - Battle of San Jacinto (Batalla de San Jacinto)
September 15 - Independence Day (Día de la Independencia)
November 8 - Day dedicated to Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador
December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción)
December 25 - Christmas Day (Navidad)
Employees based in the city of Managua are entitled to an additional 2 Regional Public Holidays:
- August 1 - Descent of Saint Dominic (Descenso de Santo Domingo)
- August 10 - Ascent of Saint Dominic (Ascenso de Santo Domingo)
*\Please be advised that the information provided is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Clients are strongly encouraged to contact the Lifecycle - Time & Attendance team for expert guidance and assistance in navigating the intricate landscape of time off requirements in Nicaragua. Consulting with our team is imperative to ensure compliance with local employment standards legislation and clearly understand the stipulated time off and attendance-related requirements. Your proactive engagement with the Time & Attendance team is vital to making informed decisions and adhering to all relevant regulations.
