🎉 How is work on a public holiday paid?

Yes

Quick answer

At least double — and that cannot be bargained down. Under art. 264 of the Labour Code, work performed on public holidays is paid at no less than double the rate — whether or not it counts as overtime. So even where the holiday is a rostered day and your ordinary working day, the hours are paid at double. If the holiday work is also overtime (outside your set hours), the overtime uplift applies on top — under art. 262 it is 100% for public holidays, so the two stack. For comparison, overtime on ordinary working days carries +50%, and on weekly rest days +75%. Night work attracts its own separate supplement.

📋 The rules

Art. 264: holiday work is paid at no less than double
It applies to rostered holidays, not just overtime
Overtime on a holiday: +100% under art. 262
Overtime on a working day: +50%; on a rest day — +75%
Night work carries a separate supplement

🔓 Exceptions

Higher rates may be agreed in a collective agreement
Where working time is averaged over a period, the calculation has its own rules
The public holidays are listed in art. 154 of the Labour Code

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Paying below the statutory minimum breaches the Labour Code and is sanctioned by the labour inspectorate with a penalty on the employer and a fine on the responsible officer. The shortfall is owed with interest, and a claim for wages is time-barred only after 3 years — so you can go back and recover what was underpaid. Keep the rotas, attendance records and payslips: they are your evidence if it comes to a dispute. A report to the inspectorate can be filed anonymously, and the inspection covers the whole workforce, not just the person who reported.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

How much is holiday work paid?

At no less than double, under art. 264 of the Labour Code — whether or not the work is overtime. Even a rostered holiday that falls on your ordinary working day is paid at double.

What if the work is overtime too?

Then the overtime uplift applies on top, which for public holidays is 100% under art. 262. The two grounds stack rather than cancelling each other out.

What are the overtime rates?

At least 50% on ordinary working days, 75% on days of weekly rest, and 100% on public holidays. Higher rates may be agreed in a collective agreement.

I was paid single time — what do I do?

Ask for the difference in writing and keep the rotas and payslips. On refusal, report it to the labour inspectorate — anonymously if you wish. The claim is time-barred only after 3 years.

Which days count as public holidays?

Those listed in art. 154 of the Labour Code. Only they attract double pay — company or religious days off that are not on the list do not create this right.

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