All Saints' Day in Austria

A public holiday under Austrian law

Austria’s Arbeitsruhegesetz lists 1 November as a public holiday. Employees are generally entitled to at least 24 consecutive hours of holiday rest, regardless of their religious affiliation, although laws and regulations allow work in some sectors and circumstances.[1][2]

If 1 November falls on a Sunday, the law applies the ordinary Sunday rest provisions. The Sunday is treated as a Sunday rather than as a weekday holiday, so the rules do not provide an automatic substitute Monday.[1][3]

The feast and its meaning

In Catholic tradition, All Saints’ Day celebrates all saints, including people not formally canonised. The Archdiocese of Vienna describes the feast as rooted in the belief in life after death and notes that the observance developed from earlier commemorations of martyrs; it also distinguishes All Saints’ Day from All Souls’ Day on 2 November, which commemorates the dead.[4]

Remembering the dead

Although the feast is dedicated to saints, Austria’s Foreign Ministry says 1 November has become widely associated with remembering deceased relatives. People visit graves, and public memorial services for victims of the two World Wars are also held.[5]

The Archdiocese of Vienna describes a custom of visiting relatives’ and friends’ graves around All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, decorating them with flowers or wreaths, and lighting lamps or candles. Customs are not identical everywhere: in St. Nikola in Upper Austria, a wreath is put into the Danube in memory of people who drowned in the river.[4][5]

What to expect on the day

Retail shops are generally closed on Sundays and public holidays, though legal exceptions apply. The Austrian Economic Chamber’s guidance describes these exceptions, which vary by place and type of business; check locally before relying on a shop being open.[6]

The holiday can also affect work schedules: the statutory rest entitlement has exceptions for permitted holiday work. For travel or appointments, check the relevant transport provider, office or venue directly.[1][2]