Written for Mexico. This analysis applies to Mexican federal tax law — ISR (income tax), IVA (VAT) and SAT rules — and cites Mexican statutes. Amounts are in Mexican pesos (MXN).
These are the mandatory rest days in Mexico for 2027 under article 74 of the Federal Labor Law (LFT) — the only ones an employer is legally obliged to grant with pay. Everything else (Semana Santa / Holy Week, May 10, December 12, school long weekends) is a voluntary benefit or custom, not an obligation.
Mandatory rest days 2027
| Date | Holiday | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, January 1 | New Year's Day | Art. 74, sec. I LFT |
| Monday, February 1 | Constitution Day (in lieu of February 5) | Art. 74, sec. II LFT |
| Monday, March 15 | Benito Juárez's Birthday (in lieu of March 21) | Art. 74, sec. III LFT |
| Saturday, May 1 | Labor Day | Art. 74, sec. IV LFT |
| Thursday, September 16 | Independence Day | Art. 74, sec. V LFT |
| Monday, November 15 | Mexican Revolution (in lieu of November 20) | Art. 74, sec. VI LFT |
| Saturday, December 25 | Christmas | Art. 74, sec. VIII LFT |
In 2027 there are midterm federal elections: the election day (sec. IX, when the electoral laws so determine) falls on a Sunday, so it only affects those who are scheduled to work that day — the pay for working a mandatory rest day applies. Check the INE calendar for the year, since the exact date is set by the electoral law.
How much must you be paid if you work a public holiday?
Article 75 of the LFT is clear: anyone who works on a mandatory rest day is entitled to that day's wage plus a double wage for the service rendered — colloquially, "triple pay." If, in addition, the holiday coincides with your weekly rest day and you work, the 25% premium under art. 71 on the ordinary wage is added on top. The employer cannot force you to work the holiday unless agreed, and the pay is not replaced by a "day off in exchange" unless expressly agreed.
Official holidays vs. bank and school holidays
Don't confuse three different calendars: the LFT one (this list — the one that binds your employer), the bank one (defined by the CNBV; banks close on some days that are not mandatory rest days, such as Holy Thursday and Good Friday) and the SEP school one (the famous long weekends that don't apply to workers). Your labor rights are governed only by the first one.
Are you an employer? Mispaid holidays are guaranteed lawsuits
Incorrect payment of worked holidays and Sunday premiums is one of the most claimed items in labor lawsuits — and one of the easiest to fix. Strategium audits your payroll and your rest-day policies so that every peso is paid correctly and properly documented.
Frequently asked questions
Are Holy Thursday and Good Friday official public holidays?
No. They are bank holidays and customary at many companies, but they do not appear in art. 74 of the LFT: if your company gives them, it is a benefit above what the law requires.
What happens if the holiday falls on my weekly rest day?
If you don't work, nothing happens — you rest and it's paid normally. If you work, you accumulate the art. 75 pay (an extra double wage) and, on a Sunday, the 25% Sunday premium.
Can the employer swap my holiday for another day?
Only by agreement. The Mondays in February, March and November are already 'shifted' by the law itself; the rest are fixed dates and the rest day is on the date itself, unless otherwise agreed — with the corresponding pay.
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