What Are The Public Holidays in Senegal in 2026?

List of Public Holidays in Senegal (2026)

Senegal’s public holidays combine fixed national dates and religious festivals based on the Islamic lunar calendar, so some 2026 dates remain approximate until officially confirmed. Use this table as a planning guide and always double‑check final dates published by the Senegalese authorities closer to the time.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, under Senegalese labour practice, employees are generally entitled to a paid day off when a statutory public holiday falls on a day they would normally work. The Labour Code and related regulations treat public holidays as rest days with pay, and this applies to both local and foreign employers operating in Senegal.

If your operations require staff to work on a public holiday, you must usually provide compensatory rest and enhanced pay according to the applicable collective agreement or employment contract. Many sectoral agreements in Senegal specify premium rates for work on public holidays, so you should always review the convention collective that covers your workforce.

Part‑time employees are typically entitled to paid public holidays on a pro‑rata basis when the holiday falls on a scheduled working day. If the holiday falls on a non‑working day for a part‑time employee, there is usually no additional entitlement unless your internal policy or a collective agreement grants more generous rights.

Most public holidays listed above are national and apply across Senegal. Religious holidays such as Korité, Tabaski and Tamkharit are based on lunar observations, and the government confirms the official dates shortly before the event. In practice, employers should follow the dates announced by the authorities and by recognised religious bodies, and be prepared for last‑minute confirmation or slight shifts of one day.

When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, Senegalese law does not always mandate an automatic weekday substitution, but some employers voluntarily grant a weekday off or compensatory rest to align with international practice. You should clearly document your approach in your internal policies and apply it consistently to avoid disputes.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Failure to respect public holiday rights in Senegal can expose your company to administrative sanctions and employment disputes. Labour inspectors under the Ministry of Labour and Social Dialogue are responsible for monitoring compliance with working time, rest days and public holiday rules.

If an inspection or employee complaint reveals that you have not granted paid public holidays or the correct compensation for work performed on those days, authorities may order back payment of wages, impose administrative fines and require corrective measures. In serious or repeated cases, non‑compliance can escalate into court proceedings, where judges may award damages and interest to affected employees.

Common employer mistakes include treating public holidays as normal working days without premium pay, failing to apply rules consistently to part‑time or temporary staff, and ignoring sector‑specific provisions in collective agreements. To reduce risk, keep clear records of attendance, pay calculations and any compensatory rest granted for holiday work, and ensure your local HR or payroll provider understands Senegalese requirements.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

In Senegal, public holidays interact with standard working time and overtime rules rather than replacing them. Hours worked on a public holiday typically count toward weekly working time limits, and any excess over the normal legal or contractual hours should be treated as overtime, with the applicable premium rate.

Many collective agreements provide higher‑than‑normal premiums for work performed on Sundays and public holidays, often combining a public holiday premium with an overtime premium when both apply. For example, an employee who works beyond their usual daily hours on a public holiday may be entitled to both the holiday uplift and an overtime uplift. Because the exact percentages and thresholds vary by sector, you should verify the rules in the convention collective relevant to your employees and reflect them accurately in your payroll system.

To stay compliant, configure your time‑tracking tools so that public holidays are flagged separately from ordinary working days. This makes it easier to calculate the correct mix of base pay, holiday premium and overtime premium, and to demonstrate compliance if you are audited by labour inspectors.

Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll

Managing Senegal’s mix of fixed and lunar‑based public holidays can be challenging, especially if your HR and payroll teams sit outside the country. Dates for Korité, Tabaski and Tamkharit are only confirmed close to the event, and sector‑specific collective agreements often add extra rules on premiums and compensatory rest.

Playroll helps you handle this complexity without building an in‑house Senegal compliance team. Our platform and local experts track official announcements, update holiday calendars in real time and apply the correct rules for paid public holidays, overtime and Sunday work in line with Senegalese law and the relevant collective agreements.

When you hire in Senegal through Playroll, we:

• Classify roles correctly so employees fall under the right local framework and convention collective.
• Configure public holiday calendars and working time rules for each location and work pattern.
• Calculate holiday pay, overtime and premiums automatically in West African CFA francs.
• Produce locally compliant payslips and records that stand up to inspection.
• Keep you informed about legal or regulatory changes that affect leave and public holidays.

This means your team in Senegal gets the paid rest they are entitled to, while you stay focused on growth rather than tracking shifting holiday dates and legal nuances. If you are planning to expand or scale hiring in Senegal, Playroll gives you a straightforward, compliant way to manage public holidays, leave and payroll from day one.