Saint Francis, October 4, 2026 falls on a Sunday: how your paycheck changes

This year the anniversary falls on a Sunday and many workers will be entitled to compensation for holidays not taken. The net benefit on the pay slip can exceed 50 euros depending on the contract applied

October 4, the day dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, has once again become a national holiday. The reintroduction of the anniversary has concrete effects for workers and companies. Those who are not required to work can benefit from the public holiday, while in cases where the work activity is still carried out, the economic protections provided for by law and collective agreements apply. Any agreements for the recovery of hours must also be managed according to current regulations.

October 4, 2026 falls on a Sunday

In 2026 the anniversary coincides with a Sunday. For this reason, in most cases, employees will be entitled to the treatment provided for the so-called "unused holiday". In the October payslip, workers will be entitled to an additional daily quota in addition to their normal salary.

Who works on October 4th

In the event that an employee is called to work on Sunday 4 October, he will be entitled to the normal salary, the quota relating to the holiday falling on Sunday and payment for the hours actually worked with the expected increase for holiday work.

The rules are valid even without the updating of the CCNL

The national holiday of Saint Francis must be recognized and paid for even if the national collective labor agreements have not yet formally updated the list of holidays in their texts.

The simulations

To evaluate the economic impact, Il Sole 24 Ore reports some simulations developed by Giuseppe Buscema, an expert from the Labor Consultants Studies Foundation. The estimates show that the net benefit for workers resulting from the holiday not taken varies depending on the contract applied. In the examples cited by the newspaper, the increases in the pay slip fluctuate between approximately 39 and 53 euros net, while the cost incurred by the employer varies based on the sector and the qualification of the employee. The simulations concern workers in trade, the metalworking industry, crafts, professional firms and public establishments.