Brazilian Independence Day: when it is in 2026 and 2027
On September 7, 1822, on the banks of the Ipiranga River in São Paulo, Dom Pedro declared Brazil free of Portugal. The date became the country’s main civic holiday.
When is Independence Day
Next date
Calculating the next occurrence…
2026
- 7SepBrazilian Independence DayMonday · long weekendNational holiday
2027
- 7SepBrazilian Independence DayTuesday · Monday bridge dayNational holiday
In 2026, Independence Day falls on a Monday, September 7: the holiday runs straight into the weekend for three days off in a row, from Saturday to Monday, September 5–7, without taking any time off. In 2027, Independence Day falls on a Tuesday, September 7: anyone who takes the Monday as a bridge day gets four days off in a row, from Saturday to Tuesday, September 4–7, unlike 2026, when the holiday already ran into the weekend.
Why the date exists
According to Rádio Senado, Maria Leopoldina, acting head of government, signed the independence decree with the Council of State on September 2, 1822, and sent a letter to Dom Pedro, who, on receiving it, proclaimed Brazil free of Portugal on the banks of the Ipiranga.
What the law says
The date is part of the list of national holidays in article 1 of Law 662, of April 6, 1949.
What about people who work on the holiday?
Law 605, of 1949, prohibits work on civil and religious holidays, except where the company’s technical requirements make the work necessary, and guarantees the employee pay for the day (art. 8). When work cannot be suspended, article 9 requires the day to be paid double, unless the employer grants another day off. In retail in general, Law 10,101, of 2000 (art. 6-A), allows work on holidays as long as a collective bargaining agreement authorizes it and municipal legislation is observed. The specific rule depends on the worker’s category, and the collective agreement is the first place to check.
Keep in mind, too, that a long weekend and a bridge day assume a Monday-to-Friday workweek. People who work shifts, such as in retail and health care, may not get this time off, and the federal optional day off does not apply to the private sector.
What about holidays in my state and my city?
This page lists only the holidays national. State and municipal holidays vary by location: Law 9.093/1995 lets each state set its principal date, and lets each municipality declare the start and end days of its founding centennial year and up to four religious holidays, including Good Friday. To find out yours, check with your city hall or state government.
Sources
- Law 662/1949 (Planalto)
- Law 10.607/2002 (Planalto)
- Law 6.802/1980 (Planalto)
- Law 9.093/1995 (Planalto)
- Law 14.759/2023 (Planalto)
- MGI Ordinance 11.460/2025 (Federal Official Gazette)
- Law 605/1949, rest days and holidays (Planalto)
- Law 10.101/2000, art. 6-A (Planalto)
- BrasilAPI, date cross-check
- Rádio Senado: Maria Leopoldina and Independence
Dates calculated by RaisLife (Easter using the Meeus/Jones/Butcher algorithm) and checked against BrasilAPI for the years generated (2024 to 2030); the classification of each date follows federal law and the ordinances of the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services. For information only: it does not replace consulting the law, your professional category’s collective bargaining agreement, or your state and city calendar.