The annual Semana Santa (Holy/Easter Week) holidays for all government workers will start at the end of business this Friday March 27th 2026. Employees will return to work on Tuesday April 7th 2026 after a 10 day break.
This extended paid vacation time has been in place for a number of years now and is intended to allow as many Nicaraguans as possible to enjoy time with their families visiting the many tourist and cultural attractions around the country.
All “Essential Services” will be staffed as usual or will have a reduced level thereby guaranteeing the continuity of essential services to the population (as per Article 69 of the Labor Code).
Statutory Holidays
The two official Easter Statutory Holidays or paid days off (Feriados) for 2026 are Holy Thursday (April 2nd) and Good Friday (April 3rd), the two main days of the Easter Week.
If the employee is required to work on a public holiday, they must be paid “an additional 100% of their regular daily wage”, in other words double time.
An employee can waive the double time and opt for another day off instead. However, if the employee is then required to work on that elected day off, then they will be paid the same as for the holiday worked (double time). See also New Minimum Wage March 1st 2026.
Immigration, Border Posts, Airport and Ports
As part of the “Safe Summer Plan 2026”, the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME) commonly known as “Migración” will be focusing on guaranteeing efficient and safe during the holidays.
This includes the border crossings, Airport, Central HQ in Managua and all Departmental offices (SERTRAMI’s), as well as at the two shopping centers with hours from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday inclusive.
The Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, as well as El Guasaule, El Espino, Potosi, Las Manos and Leymus on the Honduras border will operate 24 hours a day.
Peñas Blancas, San Pancho and San Carlos will be open from 6:00 am to 11:59 pm, working in conjunction with the Costa Rican authorities.
For Nationals, many DGME procedures are available online at www.mint.gob.ni. These include the online application for passports and for Foreigners needing the new format Category C Visa.
