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Portugal's low wages limit workers' ability to take vacations
Portuguese employees enjoy about 30 days of total rest each year – 22 legally mandated vacation days plus roughly ten public holidays – putting Portugal among the EU nations with the most paid time off. Countries such as Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Finland offer slightly more, and in France unused leave can even be sold for extra income.
Despite generous leave, many Portuguese cannot afford to use it. A 2024 survey found 35.2 % of respondents lacked the finances for a week‑long holiday abroad, and wages in the tourism sector are about 25 % below the national average. The average gross monthly salary in Portugal is €1,700, the tenth lowest in the EU, compared with the EU average of €3,300.
Productivity is also low: Portuguese workers generate €29 per hour versus €44 on average across the EU, a gap of €120 per typical eight‑hour day. The ZEW Institute’s 2025 study on German holidays showed each public holiday cuts industrial output by only 0.06 %–0.28 % of annual GDP, indicating modest economic effects of additional leave. Experts argue that better wages and higher productivity are needed for workers to benefit fully from their vacation entitlements.
Entities
European Union · Portugal · Portuguese tourism sector · ZEW Institute
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A 2025 ZEW Institute study found each holiday reduces German industrial production by 0.06 %–0.28 % of annual GDP. dinheirovivo.dn.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In France, workers can sell unused vacation days for additional income. dinheirovivo.dn.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] Portuguese workers generate €29 per hour, compared with €44 per hour on average across the EU, a gap of €120 per eight‑hour day. jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · sapo.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] Salaries in Portugal's tourism sector are about 25 % below the national average. jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · sapo.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] The average gross monthly salary in Portugal is €1,700, the tenth lowest in the EU, versus an EU average of €3,300. jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · sapo.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Portuguese workers have about 30 days of total rest per year, comprising 22 legal vacation days and roughly 10 public holidays. dinheirovivo.dn.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Portugal ranks among EU nations with the highest number of vacation days, with Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Finland offering 24‑26 days. dinheirovivo.dn.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] In 2024, 35.2 % of Portuguese said they cannot afford a week of vacation abroad. jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · sapo.pt