Spanish holiday guide
Spain's National Day
Spain’s National Day (Fiesta Nacional de España) on 12 October is the statutory national holiday established by Law 18/1987 and a paid labour holiday nationwide.
What it means
It is the state’s civic day of solemn remembrance and national identity; the 1987 law links the date to Spain’s historical plurality and cultural projection beyond Europe.
Origin and history
Associated with the 1492 anniversary and older Hispanidad commemorations; fixed as Fiesta Nacional by Law 18/1987; entrenched in the Workers’ Statute and annual calendars published in the BOE, Spain’s official state gazette.
How it is observed in Spain
Madrid military parade and royal acts as the state ceremony; public holiday closures across Spain; local and religious coincidences (e.g. Pilar in Zaragoza) vary.
Interesting facts
- Created by Law 18/1987 (BOE-A-1987-22831).
- Legal name vs popular “Día de la Hispanidad.”
- Coincides with the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar but is not defined as that feast in the 1987 law.
Public calendar
Check the 2026 dates
Holiday status depends on place. See the official calendar pages for the locations covered by this guide.