Public Holidays: What is the approach to Public Holidays in Uruguay

Employees in Uruguay are entitled to 5 statutory Public Holidays, known as “Non-Working Holidays” (Feriados No Laborables). These are mandatory and must be observed by all employers.

Uruguay distinguishes between:

• Non-Working Holidays: mandatory paid days off.

• Working Holidays: commemorative days that are not mandatory by law.

Employers may choose to observe these days as additional holidays by mutual agreement. If the employee works on a working holiday, there is no premium pay, as it is considered a regular workday.

Non-Working (Statutory) Holidays:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)

• May 1 – Labor Day (Día de los Trabajadores)

• July 18 – Constitution Day (Jura de la Constitución)

• August 25 – Independence Day (Declaratoria de la Independencia)

• December 25 – Christmas / Family Day (Día de la Familia)

Working (Optional) Holidays

These are commemorative working days. They are not mandatory by law but may be granted at the employer’s discretion. If observed, they should be recorded as additional holidays.

Working Holidays in 2025

• January 6 – Epiphany / Children’s Day (Día de Reyes)

• March 3–4 – Carnival (Carnaval)

• April 17–18 – Holy Thursday & Good Friday (Semana de Turismo)

• April 19 – Landing of the Thirty-Three Orientals (Desembarco de los 33 Orientales)

• June 19 – Birth of General Artigas (Natalicio de Artigas)

• October 12 – Columbus Day (Día de la Raza)

• November 2 – All Souls’ Day (Día de los Difuntos)

Working Holidays in 2026

• January 6 – Epiphany / Children’s Day (Día de Reyes)

• February 16–17 – Carnival (Carnaval)

• April 2–3 – Holy Thursday & Good Friday (Semana de Turismo)

• April 19 – Landing of the Thirty-Three Orientals (Desembarco de los 33 Orientales)

• June 19 – Birth of General Artigas (Natalicio de Artigas)

• October 12 – Columbus Day (Día de la Raza)

• November 2 – All Souls’ Day (Día de los Difuntos)

Under Law No. 16.805 (1996) and Law No. 17.414 (2001), certain working holidays are moved to Mondays when they fall mid-week (Tuesday–Wednesday) or toward the end of the week (Thursday–Friday), except for: Carnival and Tourism Week / January 6 / June 19 / November 2