Spain Constitution Day (December 6): History & Traditions

Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) is a national holiday in Spain celebrated on December 6. It marks the referendum of December 6, 1978, when Spanish voters approved the democratic Constitution that completed the country’s transition from the Franco dictatorship to a parliamentary monarchy.

Key facts
Date	December 6 every year
Referendum	December 6, 1978 — about 88% voted yes
Constitution in force	December 29, 1978
Form of government	Parliamentary monarchy
Holiday type	National public holiday
Famous “puente”	Often combined with the Immaculate Conception holiday on December 8

The Spanish Transition to Democracy

Year	Event
1939–1975	Dictatorship of General Francisco Franco
November 1975	Franco dies; Juan Carlos I becomes King
1977	First free general elections since 1936
1977	Moncloa Pacts between political parties and social partners
December 6, 1978	Constitution approved by referendum
December 29, 1978	Constitution comes into force
1986	Spain joins the European Economic Community

The Constitution was drafted by seven “fathers of the Constitution” from different political parties. It established fundamental rights, a parliamentary system, an independent judiciary, and the “State of Autonomies” that gives Spain’s regions, such as Catalonia, the Basque Country and Andalusia, wide self-government.

How Spain Celebrates

• Open days at the Congress of Deputies and Senate in Madrid, where visitors can tour the chambers.
• Official ceremonies with readings of the Constitution.
• School activities about democracy and citizenship in the days before.
• The “Puente de la Constitución” — a long holiday weekend when many Spaniards travel or start Christmas shopping.

👉 Two days later: Feast of the Immaculate Conception — December 8

👉 Also December 6: Finland Independence Day

Spain’s Constitution: Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Articles	169 articles plus additional provisions
Official languages	Castilian Spanish nationally, with co-official languages such as Catalan, Basque and Galician in their regions
Autonomous communities	17, plus the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla
Amendments	Only a few changes since 1978, including in 1992 and 2011
Head of state	The King, currently Felipe VI

The “Fathers of the Constitution”

Seven politicians from across the political spectrum drafted the text: Gabriel Cisneros, Manuel Fraga, Miguel Herrero y Rodríguez de Miñón, Gregorio Peces-Barba, José Pedro Pérez-Llorca, Miquel Roca and Jordi Solé Tura. Their ability to compromise after decades of division is often called the “spirit of consensus” of the Spanish transition.

How to Spend the December Puente

• Visit the Congress of Deputies in Madrid during its open days.
• See Christmas lights in Madrid, Vigo or Málaga, which switch on around this time.
• Explore Christmas markets such as Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
• Head to the mountains — the ski season often starts in early December.

If December 6 falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many workers take the extra day to make a long “bridge” weekend with the Immaculate Conception holiday on December 8.

FAQ