The national government has set the nine national dates and allows each of the communities to choose their own holidays. Part of the national law also allows each community to substitute two of the nationally selected holidays with two additional local holidays. The two holidays that can be legally substituted are the Feast of the Epiphany and Maundy Thursday.
There is varying information available about employees being paid for national holidays. Many sources report that employees are paid for their holiday and if required to work, receive a premium pay rate for that day. However, a few sources state that due to austerity measures, holidays are only a non-working day. It may be possible that employees only receive pay if part of their employment contract offers this benefit.