Christmas Day in Mayotte: date, legal status and work
Christmas Day is listed as a public holiday in Mayotte and falls on 25 December. Its status follows the national list of legal holidays, while Mayotte’s law also preserves room for workplace agreements and usages to recognize additional local feast days.[1][2]
A public holiday under French law
The French Labour Code names Christmas Day among the legal public holidays. Mayotte has an additional provision for 27 April, the commemoration of the abolition of slavery, and a separate rule allowing collective agreements or workplace usages to provide additional holidays, including Miradji, Idi-el-Fitri, Idi-el-Kabir and Maoulid.[1][2]
That local provision is a distinctive part of Mayotte’s holiday framework: the national list applies alongside space for additional days recognized through workplace agreements or usage. It does not make those additional days universal public holidays; their recognition depends on the relevant agreement or practice.[2]
Does everyone get the day off?
For private-sector employees, being a legal public holiday does not by itself guarantee a day off. The day is non-working when provided for by a collective agreement or workplace agreement, or, where there is no such agreement, when the employer sets it as a non-working day. The separate rule making 1 May compulsory leave does not apply to Christmas.[3]
When a public holiday is not worked, employees with at least three months’ seniority generally keep their pay, subject to the exceptions set out in the Labour Code. The law also says that hours lost because a public holiday is not worked do not have to be recovered.[1]
Dates and substitute days
Christmas Day falls on 25 December each year. For private-sector employees, a holiday that falls on a day they do not normally work does not automatically create an extra day off; a collective agreement may provide more favourable terms.[3]
This means the practical effect can depend on the employee’s usual schedule and workplace rules. Check the relevant agreement or ask the employer if you need to know whether the day is treated as paid leave, a normal working day or an additional rest day.[3]
Planning around Christmas Day
Check directly with the office, bank, shop or transport service you plan to use for its opening hours or schedule.[1][3]
The legal sources cited here establish the holiday’s employment status; they do not document a single Mayotte-wide Christmas ceremony, menu or celebration. Local observances and business arrangements should therefore be checked with the church, venue or provider concerned rather than assumed to be the same across the island.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas Day a public holiday in Mayotte?
Yes. The Labour Code includes Christmas Day in its list of legal public holidays.[1]
When is Christmas Day?
It falls on 25 December each year.[3]
Do private-sector employees automatically have the day off?
No. Whether the day is not worked depends on a collective agreement, workplace agreement or the employer’s decision where no agreement applies.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for Christmas Day in Mayotte:
- Sous-section 1 : Ordre public. (Articles L3133-1 à L3133-3)- Légifrance
- Chapitre II : Durée du travail, repos et congés. (Articles L3422-1 à L3422-5)- Légifrance
- Jours fériés et ponts dans le secteur privé- Entreprendre Service Public / Direction de l'information légale et administrative (Premier ministre)