What Are The Public Holidays in Republic of Congo in 2026?

List of Public Holidays in Republic of Congo (2026)

Republic of Congo has a set of nationwide public holidays that apply to most employees, regardless of region. Use the table below to plan staffing, leave, and payroll for your Congolese team in 2026.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, under Congolese labour practice, public holidays that fall on an employee’s normal working day are generally treated as paid days off, so your company should pay employees their usual daily wage even if they do not work. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed on the following Monday, and employees who would normally work that Monday should receive paid leave for the observed day. Part-time employees are usually entitled to paid public holidays on a pro‑rata basis when the holiday falls on a day they are regularly scheduled to work. If your employees must work on a public holiday, the safest approach is to provide both the normal day’s pay and additional compensation in the form of a premium rate or a paid day off in lieu, in line with their employment contract or any applicable collective agreement.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Congolese labour law is enforced by the labour inspectorate, which can investigate complaints from employees about unpaid or improperly managed public holidays. If your company fails to provide paid leave or appropriate compensation for work on a public holiday, you may face administrative fines, orders to pay back wages, and, in serious or repeated cases, additional sanctions under the Labour Code. Common mistakes include treating public holidays as unpaid leave, failing to recognise the observed Monday when a holiday falls on Sunday, and not applying the same rules consistently to part‑time and full‑time staff. Because enforcement practices and penalty amounts can change, it is prudent to document your holiday pay policies clearly, keep accurate payroll records, and seek local legal advice for complex cases or disputes.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

In Republic of Congo, public holidays interact with overtime rules mainly through how working time is counted and compensated. Hours worked on a public holiday are typically treated as exceptional work and should be paid at a higher‑than‑normal rate or offset with equivalent paid rest, according to the Labour Code and any applicable collective agreements. While the basic weekly working‑time limits still apply, many employers treat any hours worked on a public holiday as overtime, even if the weekly threshold has not yet been exceeded, to stay on the safe side of local practice. To avoid disputes, your company should set out in writing the premium rate for holiday work, how those hours count toward weekly overtime thresholds, and whether employees can choose between extra pay and time off in lieu, then apply that policy consistently.

Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll

Managing public holidays and leave rules in Republic of Congo doesn’t have to be complex. Playroll keeps you 100% compliant by automatically tracking local holidays, observed days, and pay requirements –  so your team is paid correctly and on time, every time.

Whether you’re hiring your first employee or scaling a growing team, Playroll lets you employ talent without setting up a local entity. We handle compliant contracts, benefits, and payroll in one platform, so you can reduce compliance risk and focus on growing your business while we take care of the heavy-lifting in the background. Book a chat with our team to get started.