Holiday travelers in Europe face a wave of transport strikes this December that could seriously disrupt Christmas plans. Coordinated strike action is scheduled across Italy, Portugal, and France, targeting national rail networks, local public transport, and even airlines and airports on certain days. Unions in all three countries are protesting government policies and the resulting walkouts threaten to delay or cancel flights and trains during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.

To help you plan around the chaos, here are the key strike dates and disruptions to watch for in December 2025:

TL;DR

  • December 2025 brings coordinated transport strikes across Italy, Portugal and France, affecting trains, local transit, ferries, airlines and airports.
  • Key days include 1, 2, 9, 11, 12 and 17 December, with a Portugal-wide general strike on 11 Dec and a major Italy general strike on 12 Dec.
  • Italy sees the densest disruption, with multiple rail, transit, ferry and aviation walkouts plus a freight strike close to Christmas.
  • Portugal’s 11 Dec general strike is expected to ground most flights and heavily disrupt city transport in Lisbon, Porto and Faro.
  • France’s main impact is the nationwide transport strike on 2 Dec, causing reduced train and city transit services but not a total shutdown.
  • Travelers should avoid known strike days where possible, build in extra time, consider alternative transport and track official updates closely.

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Key strike dates to know in December 2025

  • Monday 1 December – Italy (Sicily airports): Airport staff in Sicily are staging walkouts, including a 24-hour strike at Palermo’s Falcone–Borsellino Airport and a 4-hour stoppage mid-day at Catania Fontanarossa Airport, likely causing flight cancellations and delays.

  • Tuesday 2 December – France (nationwide transport strike): Multiple unions have called a nationwide strike in France to protest austerity measures, impacting public services and transportation. Rail services on the SNCF network and urban transit in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille are running on reduced schedules, with potential train cancellations and packed metro cars. Some airport staff are joining in solidarity, which could mean slower check-ins or minor flight delays at major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle.

  • Tuesday 9 December – Italy (Rome public transport): Rome’s ATAC transit network (buses, trams, metro) will be hit by a 24-hour local transport strike. Service will be limited outside of mandated rush-hour safety windows (early morning and late afternoon), making it hard to get around the city for the day. Travelers connecting via Rome’s train stations or heading to Fiumicino Airport (FCO) should plan for alternative transfers since city buses and metros will be unreliable.

  • 9–11 December – Italy (national ferry strike): A 48-hour ferry strike by staff of Tirrenia and Moby Lines is planned from the afternoon of 9 Dec. to 11 Dec., potentially disrupting ferry routes between mainland Italy and islands like Sardinia and Sicily. If you’re island-hopping or relying on overnight ferries during this window, expect timetable changes or cancellations.

  • Thursday 11 December – Portugal (general strike): Portugal’s major unions (CGTP, UGT) have called a nationwide general strike, joined by the airline cabin crew union. This is expected to ground most flights at Portuguese airports, including Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO) and Faro (FAO), with only minimal emergency services running.

    TAP Air Portugal crews and airport ground staff will walk out, so domestic and international flights are likely to be cancelled or heavily delayed. Local buses, trams and metro lines will also be affected, bringing Portuguese city transport to a crawl.

  • Friday 12 December – Italy (nationwide general strike): Italy’s largest union, CGIL, has called a 21-hour general strike from just after midnight to 9 pm on 12 Dec., aimed primarily at the transport sector. This will bring much of Italy’s rail system to a halt – including long-distance Trenitalia/Italo trains and regional services – and also affect some ferry and port operations and possibly airport support services.

    While flights themselves aren’t officially part of this strike, knock-on effects are expected: for example, airport trains and buses might not run, and ferry links to islands could see cancellations. Major cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples will have limited public transport, as many local transit workers are joining the strike. Travelers in Italy that day should anticipate widespread train cancellations, packed remaining services, and long delays.

  • Wednesday 17 December – Italy (national aviation strike wave): Multiple aviation-sector strikes are converging in Italy for four hours on 17 Dec (1 pm–5 pm). During this window, air traffic controllers at Rome’s area control center, ground handling crews at airports nationwide, and some airline staff (including ITA Airways and Vueling crews, plus ground staff for Air France/KLM) will all stop work.

    This coordinated walkout is likely to cause flight delays and some cancellations at major Italian airports such as Rome FCO, Milan Malpensa (MXP), Venice (VCE) and others. Even though the strike is brief, the overlap of critical aviation roles means afternoon departures and arrivals could be significantly disrupted.
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Italy also faces a 72-hour freight transport strike from 22–24 December, which could impact deliveries and luggage handling, but passenger travel services are less directly affected by that.

Italy: Rail and transit walkouts dominate the month

Italy is seeing an especially dense strike calendar this December, with disruptions hitting almost every mode of transport. The centerpiece is the nationwide general strike on Friday 12 December, when most public and private sector workers (led by the CGIL union) will walk off the job.

Trains will be hardest hit: rail staff plan to strike for 21 hours, effectively shutting down high-speed and regional rail lines for the day. Even legally required “minimum service” trains during the morning and evening won’t prevent major gaps in the schedule.

If you’re landing in Italy on 12 December and hoping to catch a train that same day – for example, from Rome to Florence or Milan to Venice – be prepared for cancellations or very limited options. Long-distance routes will be trimmed down to skeleton service, and many local buses and trams will also pause, as the strike spans multiple transport unions.

Other dates to watch in Italy include 1 December, when overlapping strikes at Palermo and Catania airports in Sicily kicked off the month. Palermo’s 24-hour shutdown of handling services and a mid-day walkout in Catania caused delays with check-in, baggage and some flight cancellations. If you had to travel via Sicily on that day, odds are you encountered long lines or rebookings – a sign of what’s to come elsewhere in Italy.

On 9 December, Rome’s ATAC public transport strike will essentially bring Rome’s metro lines and buses to a standstill for most of the day. Only a few trains or buses might run during mandated protection periods (early morning and late afternoon), but outside those hours, tourists and commuters in Rome should expect very limited service.

This could affect your ability to transfer between Rome Termini station, city hotels, and Fiumicino Airport, since the usual metro or bus connections won’t be running normally. Travelers should plan on using alternatives – for example, the Leonardo Express airport train (which is operated by Trenitalia, not ATAC, and thus not directly on strike) or arrange a taxi/shuttle. Even those trains might be more crowded than usual if everyone funnels onto them.

Mid-month, 17 December is the day to avoid flying through Italy if possible. The four-hour aviation strike wave that afternoon will involve air-traffic control for central Italy, airport ground crews, and airline staff all at once.

Although Italian law guarantees certain flight slots (generally early morning and late evening) even during strikes , a coordinated mid-day stoppage by multiple groups can still snarl the entire day’s schedule. Expect knock-on delays lasting into the evening of the 17th, even for flights outside the 1–5 pm window, as schedules recover.

Major airports like Rome and Milan have warned of possible cascading delays, so if you must fly on 17 Dec, try to book morning or late evening departures and keep an eye on airline notifications.

Italy’s government requires minimum transport services during strikes (for instance, some flights between 7–10 am and 6–9 pm are “guaranteed” to operate , and some peak-hour commuter trains must run).

However, “guaranteed” doesn’t mean disruption-free – flights might still be delayed and any train outside the protected slots will likely be canceled. Bottom line for Italy: if your itinerary is flexible, avoid these strike dates. If not, build in lots of extra time and have a backup plan for every leg of your journey.

Portugal: 11 December general strike to ground flights

In Portugal, Thursday 11 December is the critical date when a broad general strike will hit the country’s transport and public services. This strike has a big unique impact: it specifically targets aviation alongside other sectors.

Unions representing airline crews and airport workers – notably at flag carrier TAP Air Portugal – have confirmed they will walk out, effectively bringing air travel to a halt for the day. Officials expect most flights to be cancelled at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports, except for a handful that fall under legally mandated minimum service rules.

If you’re booked to fly into or out of Portugal on 11 Dec, assume your flight may not operate and check with your airline immediately. Airlines are likely to offer rebooking options or travel waivers; in fact, travel advisories suggest rerouting through other cities (Madrid, for example) to avoid connecting in Lisbon on that day.

This strike in Portugal isn’t limited to the skies. Expect widespread disruption to local transportation as well – metro lines, buses, and trams in cities such as Lisbon and Porto will run greatly reduced services, if at all.

Additionally, public sector workers across other industries are striking, which can indirectly affect travel (for example, if highway toll operators or security staff participate, road travel and airport security lines could slow down).

The strike is a response to proposed labor law changes and economic measures, but the immediate consequence for travelers is a day of no normal transport. Essentially, 11 December is poised to be the most disruptive travel day in Europe this month , given the likelihood of a near-total shutdown of flights in and out of an entire country.

For those with holiday plans in Portugal, the advice is clear: do not plan to fly on 11 Dec unless absolutely necessary. If you can move your flight by a day or two, do it now. If you must travel, try for early morning flights (before the strike action intensifies) or prepare for last-minute cancellations.

Train and bus travel within Portugal will also be unreliable on the strike day, so even getting to an airport or across town could be challenging. Make sure to monitor official updates – TAP and other airlines will post flight status changes, and Portugal’s transport authority will announce which minimal services (if any) will run.

Travelers already in Portugal should consider staying put on the 11th or using rental cars/private transfers for essential travel, as the usual public transit options may not be available.

France: Early-December strike hits trains and city transit

France’s transport disruption is concentrated in the first week of December. On Tuesday 2 December, French unions (including CGT, FSU, Solidaires) mobilized a nationwide strike largely aimed at the government’s 2026 budget plans.

While this is a one-day action, it spans multiple sectors – notably the railways and urban transport networks. Travelers in France on the strike day likely encountered reduced TGV and regional train services.

SNCF did run some trains, but many routes especially between major cities were cut to minimal frequency, and some local TER trains and suburban lines were cancelled. Major hubs such as Paris saw shorter trains or combined services, leading to crowding.

Urban public transport was also affected: for example, in Paris, reports indicated the Metro and RER commuter lines operated with fewer trains, and some bus lines paused service. The Côte d’Azur and other regions reported only limited impact, but as a traveler you would be wise to assume longer waits for any public transit on a national strike day.

The strike on 2 Dec is primarily a protest in the public sector, so its impact on tourism and travel, while noticeable, was more about inconvenience than complete shutdown. Indeed, early assessments by French media noted that disruption was somewhat limited (many high-speed trains still ran on schedule).

Nonetheless, if you had a flight to catch on 2 Dec, the prudent move was to head to the airport extra early; with fewer trains and possibly some airport staff off duty, reaching CDG or Orly Airport and clearing security could take extra time.

Looking ahead in France, no additional nationwide transport strikes have been announced for later in December so far. The 2 December strike was the major coordinated action, but travelers should stay alert through the month as labor disputes in France can flare up with short notice.

If you’re traveling via France (especially via Paris) in early December, the safest strategy was to avoid tight connections and consider alternate routes on that day. For example, Eurostar trains between London and Paris could experience delays or cancellations if French rail workers walked out , so building a buffer day before any important event or flight was wise. Always check the latest updates from SNCF on train operations and RATP for Paris transit if you suspect a strike might spill into your travel dates.

How to travel smart during the strikes

With multiple strikes sweeping across Southern Europe this month, travelers should take a proactive approach to minimize headaches. Here are some tips to navigate the disruptions:

  • Map your trip against strike dates: If you haven’t booked yet, try to avoid the known strike days for your flights or train rides. The first half of December 2025 is packed with walkouts , so shifting your itinerary to non-strike days (or traveling after these dates) can save you a lot of stress. For example, if you need to travel between Italy and France, avoid December 12 and plan around it.

  • Stay informed and flexible: If you are traveling on a potential strike day, check your flight/train status frequently in the days and hours beforehand. Airlines and rail companies often announce cancellations or offer free rebooking when strikes loom. Opt for flexible tickets when possible – it might cost a bit more, but the ability to change your travel date without a penalty is invaluable during strike season.

  • Allow extra time for connections: It’s not a great month for tight layovers. Build in generous connection times between flights and trains. If you normally budget 1 hour, give yourself 3 hours. This is especially true if you’re transiting through hub cities like Paris, Rome, or Lisbon on the strike dates. Assume that any connection involving those cities could face delays.

  • Consider alternative transport: When trains and planes won’t cooperate, look at other options. On strike days, long-distance buses or car rentals might fill the gap – for instance, a bus from Rome to Florence on 12 Dec instead of a train, or driving from Madrid to Lisbon around 11 Dec if flights are cancelled. Some ferry routes or smaller airlines might still run, but always verify they’re not affected by strikes. If you’re in a city on a local transit strike day, be prepared to walk or use taxis/rideshares to get around.

  • Travel insurance and rights: Make sure you know your passenger rights and consider travel insurance that covers strikes. Under EU rules, if your flight is cancelled due to a strike, airlines must offer a rebooking or refund, though compensation for strikes can be limited. Rail operators in Italy and France have refund policies for strike-affected tickets. Having travel insurance that covers trip interruption can help you recoup costs for hotels or alternate transport if you’re stranded.

  • Follow local updates: Finally, keep an eye on official channels. Italy’s transport ministry website and civil aviation authority (ENAC) publish lists of “guaranteed” flights and trains during strikes. Local news, Twitter feeds of rail companies, and airport alerts will often give live updates on how severely a strike is affecting operations. Subscribing to notifications from your airline or using their app can provide real-time info on delays or gate changes.

Ready for the holidays, with a backup plan

This December’s strike wave means holiday travel in Europe will require more planning and patience than usual. Italy, Portugal, and France each have specific strike dates that could upend travel itineraries if you’re not prepared.

By knowing these dates in advance and heeding the planning tips above, you can reduce the risk of disruptions to your Christmas trip. The key is to stay flexible: have a Plan B for every critical connection, and keep your schedule adaptable in case the situation changes.

While strikes may cause inconvenience, with the right precautions you can still enjoy your holiday travels – even if it means re-routing that Paris-to-Rome trip or adjusting your departure by a day. Safe travels, and buone feste / boas festas / bonnes fêtes despite the strikes!

FAQ

Q1. Which countries are most affected by the December 2025 strikes?
Italy, Portugal, and France are the main countries affected, with Italy and Portugal seeing the most severe transport disruption.

Q2. What are the most important strike dates for travelers?
Key dates include 1 December (Sicily airports), 2 December (France nationwide transport), 9 December (Rome transport), 9 to 11 December (Italy ferries), 11 December (Portugal general strike), 12 December (Italy general strike), and 17 December (Italy aviation).

Q3. How will the 12 December general strike in Italy affect trains?
The 21-hour general strike will severely reduce long-distance and regional rail services, with many trains cancelled and only a limited minimum service during peak hours.

Q4. What happens in Portugal on 11 December 2025?
A nationwide general strike, including airline crews and airport staff, is expected to cancel or heavily delay most flights and significantly reduce local public transport.

Q5. Are flights cancelled on 17 December during Italy’s aviation strike?
Multiple aviation workers, including some air traffic control and ground staff, will strike for four hours, likely causing delays and some cancellations, especially for mid-afternoon flights.

Q6. How badly is France affected by the 2 December strike?
France faces a one-day nationwide strike that reduces SNCF rail services and urban transit, causing delays and crowding rather than a complete shutdown.

Q7. Can I still travel by train or bus during these strikes?
Some minimum service trains and limited buses may run, but schedules will be reduced and subject to last-minute changes. Expect cancellations and crowding.

Q8. What should I do if my flight is scheduled on a strike day?
Check with your airline as early as possible, monitor status updates, and be ready to rebook or reroute. Many carriers offer waivers or free date changes during announced strikes.

Q9. Are ferries affected by the December 2025 strikes?
Yes. Italy faces a 48-hour national ferry strike from 9 to 11 December, which may disrupt routes to and from islands such as Sardinia and Sicily.

Q10. How can I reduce the risk of my Christmas trip being disrupted?
Avoid known strike dates when booking, choose flexible tickets, allow extra time for connections, consider alternative routes or transport modes, and follow official updates closely.