Public Holidays in Croatia 2026 – Catholic, National & Public Holidays

Croatia has 14 nationwide public holidays in 2026, including Easter, Statehood Day, Anti-Fascist Struggle Day, national remembrance days and Christmas. Croatian legislation distinguishes public holidays and non-working days from commemorative days that generally remain regular working days. The 2026 calendar includes both fixed-date celebrations and movable Christian holidays. This guide explains the official holiday schedule, national and religious observances, long weekends, employment rules and practical information for residents and visitors.

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Next Public Holiday in Croatia

Date	Day	Holiday	Status
November 1, 2026	Sunday	All Saints' Day	Confirmed

Public Holidays in Croatia 2026

Date	Day	Holiday	Status
January 1, 2026	Thursday	New Year's Day	Confirmed
January 6, 2026	Tuesday	Epiphany (Three Kings' Day)	Confirmed
April 5, 2026	Sunday	Easter Sunday	Confirmed
April 6, 2026	Monday	Easter Monday	Confirmed
May 1, 2026	Friday	Labour Day	Confirmed
May 30, 2026	Saturday	Statehood Day	Confirmed
June 4, 2026	Thursday	Corpus Christi	Confirmed
June 22, 2026	Monday	Anti-Fascist Struggle Day	Confirmed
August 5, 2026	Wednesday	Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day	Confirmed
August 15, 2026	Saturday	Assumption of Mary	Confirmed
November 1, 2026	Sunday	All Saints' Day	Confirmed
November 18, 2026	Wednesday	Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Homeland War and the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja	Confirmed
December 25, 2026	Friday	Christmas Day	Confirmed
December 26, 2026	Saturday	St. Stephen's Day	Confirmed

Croatia officially recognizes 14 nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. These include Easter Sunday and Easter Monday as separate dates, along with national commemorations and Christian religious celebrations.

The holidays are established under the Act on Holidays, Memorial Days and Non-Working Days in the Republic of Croatia (NN 110/2019), as amended by NN 72/2025.

The Croatian Parliament's official holiday guidance confirms the recognized dates, including the movable holidays of Easter and Corpus Christi in 2026.

National Holidays in Croatia

Croatia observes several national holidays commemorating its statehood, historical events and those who contributed to the country's independence. These dates are legally recognized public holidays and generally non-working days.

Statehood Day – May 30

Statehood Day (Dan državnosti) is celebrated annually on May 30. It commemorates the constitution of Croatia's first democratically elected multiparty parliament in 1990.

The holiday is associated with official ceremonies, flag displays and events recognizing Croatian statehood and national identity.

In 2026, Statehood Day falls on Saturday, May 30. It remains a nationwide public holiday despite falling on a weekend.

Anti-Fascist Struggle Day – June 22

Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (Dan antifašističke borbe) commemorates the establishment of the First Sisak Partisan Detachment on June 22, 1941.

The holiday recognizes the anti-fascist resistance during the Second World War and forms part of Croatia's official national commemorations.

In 2026, June 22 falls on Monday, creating a three-day weekend for employees who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off.

Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day – August 5

August 5 marks Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day (Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja).

The holiday commemorates the events of Operation Storm in 1995, including the recapture of Knin by Croatian forces. It also honors Croatian veterans of the Homeland War.

Official commemorations and remembrance activities take place in communities throughout Croatia, with Knin playing a particularly prominent role.

In 2026, the holiday falls on Wednesday, August 5.

Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Homeland War and the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja – November 18

November 18 is a nationwide public holiday dedicated to remembrance of the victims of Croatia's Homeland War, particularly those associated with Vukovar and Škabrnja in 1991.

The day commemorates the suffering and loss of life during the war. Memorial ceremonies, candlelight tributes and remembrance gatherings are held across the country.

In Vukovar, the annual remembrance procession is an important part of the observance.

In 2026, November 18 falls on Wednesday.

Religious Public Holidays in Croatia

Croatia recognizes several Christian religious celebrations as nationwide public holidays. These include fixed-date observances and movable festivals determined by the Western Christian calendar.

Epiphany (Three Kings' Day)

Epiphany, known in Croatian as Bogojavljenje or Sveta tri kralja, is celebrated on January 6.

The holiday commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ and is traditionally associated with the visit of the Magi. It marks an important occasion in the Christian Christmas season.

Epiphany falls on Tuesday, January 6, in 2026.

Easter Sunday and Easter Monday

Easter is one of the most important Christian celebrations in Croatia. Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, while Easter Monday extends the holiday observance.

In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on April 5 and Easter Monday falls on April 6. Both dates are legally recognized nationwide public holidays.

Traditional celebrations include church services, decorated Easter eggs, family gatherings and festive meals.

Easter dates change each year because they follow the Western Christian ecclesiastical calendar.

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi (Tijelovo) celebrates the Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

The holiday is observed on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday and therefore changes its Gregorian date each year.

In 2026, Corpus Christi falls on Thursday, June 4. Religious processions and church services are traditionally associated with the occasion.

Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary, known locally as Velika Gospa, is celebrated on August 15.

It is an important Catholic feast commemorating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

Many believers attend church services and visit Marian pilgrimage sites, including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sinj and the shrine of Marija Bistrica.

In 2026, August 15 falls on Saturday and remains an official public holiday.

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day (Svi sveti) is observed annually on November 1.

The holiday honors the saints of the Christian tradition and is also associated in Croatia with family visits to cemeteries, grave decorations and lighting candles in memory of deceased loved ones.

In 2026, All Saints' Day falls on Sunday.

Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day

Christmas Day (Božić) is celebrated on December 25, followed by St. Stephen's Day (Sveti Stjepan) on December 26.

Both dates are nationwide public holidays under Croatian legislation.

Christmas celebrations commonly involve religious services, family gatherings, traditional meals and seasonal customs.

In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday and St. Stephen's Day falls on Saturday.

Public Holidays and Memorial Days in Croatia: What's the Difference?

Croatian legislation distinguishes between public holidays and non-working days (blagdani i neradni dani) and memorial or commemorative days (spomendani).

Public holidays are legally designated non-working days, while ordinary memorial days recognize historical events, individuals or important national occasions without automatically granting time off.

The Croatian Parliament explains that Parliament generally does not conduct regular business on statutory public holidays but normally continues working on commemorative days.

Examples of Commemorative Days

Important Croatian commemorative dates include:

• January 9: Day of the Unification of Međimurje with Croatia.
• May 3: Remembrance Day for Children Killed and Affected during the Homeland War.
• June 25: Independence Day, recognized as a commemorative day rather than a general non-working holiday.
• October 8: Croatian Parliament Day, commemorating the severance of constitutional and legal ties with the former Yugoslavia.

These commemorative dates are excluded from the 14-date nationwide public-holiday database because they do not independently constitute general statutory days off.

What Changed Under the 2025 Holiday Law Amendment?

The Croatian Parliament adopted an amendment to the holiday legislation in April 2025, published as NN 72/2025.

The amendment established May 3 as the Remembrance Day for Children Killed and Affected during the Homeland War.

The change took effect on May 1, 2025, and added a commemorative day rather than an additional nationwide public holiday.

Consequently, Croatia's recognized nationwide public-holiday total remains 14 dates in 2026.

Long Weekends in Croatia in 2026

Several Croatian public holidays fall on Fridays, Mondays or Thursdays in 2026, creating opportunities for extended breaks. The following examples assume a normal Monday-to-Friday working schedule.

Easter Weekend – April 3 to April 6

Easter Sunday falls on April 5 and Easter Monday on April 6.

Employees who normally have weekends off receive a three-day break from Saturday, April 4, through Monday, April 6.

Taking annual leave on Friday, April 3, could extend the break to four days. Good Friday itself is not a general nationwide statutory public holiday in Croatia.

Labour Day Weekend – May 1 to May 3

Labour Day falls on Friday, May 1, creating a three-day weekend for employees who normally work Monday through Friday.

Corpus Christi – June 4

Corpus Christi falls on Thursday, June 4.

Employees who arrange annual leave for Friday, June 5, could enjoy four consecutive days away from work through Sunday, June 7.

June 5 is not an automatically granted nationwide public holiday.

Anti-Fascist Struggle Day Weekend – June 20 to June 22

Anti-Fascist Struggle Day falls on Monday, June 22, creating a three-day weekend from Saturday, June 20, through Monday, June 22.

Christmas Weekend – December 25 to December 27

Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, and St. Stephen's Day falls on Saturday, December 26.

Employees who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off can enjoy a three-day weekend through Sunday, December 27.

These opportunities depend on individual working schedules, employment agreements and any applicable workplace rules.

Does Croatia Provide Substitute Holidays for Weekend Public Holidays?

No. Croatia does not generally transfer a public holiday to the following Monday when it falls on Saturday, Sunday or another non-working day.

The Croatian Act on Holidays, Memorial Days and Non-Working Days provides that public holidays falling on Sundays or other non-working days are not transferred to the next day.

For example, Statehood Day falls on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and All Saints' Day falls on Sunday, November 1. Neither automatically creates an additional nationwide public holiday on the following Monday.

Employers may provide alternative arrangements under applicable employment agreements, but these should not be confused with statutory nationwide substitute holidays.

Are Public Holidays Paid in Croatia?

Employees in Croatia generally have statutory protections relating to public holidays and non-working days.

Under Croatian employment legislation, employees may be entitled to wage compensation when they do not work because of a public holiday that would otherwise have been a scheduled working day.

Employees required to work on legally recognized holidays may be entitled to increased pay under applicable Labour Act provisions, collective agreements, employment contracts or workplace regulations.

The precise entitlement depends on the employee's working schedule and applicable employment arrangements.

For detailed statutory provisions, consult Croatia's Labour Act (Zakon o radu) and relevant collective agreements.

Are Shops and Supermarkets Open on Public Holidays in Croatia?

Retail opening hours in Croatia are regulated by national trading legislation, including restrictions on Sunday and public-holiday operations.

Many shops and shopping centres close on public holidays, although certain business categories and legally exempt establishments may continue operating.

Retailers may also operate under special exceptions established by law. Visitors should check individual business opening hours before shopping on national holidays.

Supermarkets and Shopping Centres

Large supermarkets and shopping centres are generally subject to public-holiday trading restrictions. Opening hours may differ for establishments operating under legally permitted exceptions.

Restaurants and Tourist Services

Restaurants, cafés, hotels and tourist services may operate during public holidays, particularly in major visitor destinations such as Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and coastal resort areas.

Opening times can vary according to the season and location.

Government Offices

Government offices and administrative institutions generally do not conduct ordinary business on nationwide public holidays.

Emergency services and other essential public services may continue operating according to their respective schedules.

Bank Holidays in Croatia

Nationwide public holidays can affect bank branch opening hours and the processing of financial transactions in Croatia.

Banks generally close their branches on statutory public holidays, while electronic banking platforms may remain accessible.

Payment processing schedules can vary by transaction type, banking institution and the financial systems involved.

Customers should confirm processing deadlines with their banks when arranging important transfers around Easter, Christmas and other public holidays.

Religious Holiday Entitlements for Minority Communities

Croatian legislation also recognizes specific religious non-working-day entitlements for members of certain religious communities.

Depending on their religion, eligible individuals may observe holidays such as Orthodox Christmas, Orthodox Easter, Muslim Eid celebrations and significant Jewish religious holidays.

These entitlements are distinct from the 14 general nationwide public-holiday dates and should not be added to the main database as holidays applicable automatically to the entire population.

Relevant provisions are included in the Croatian holiday legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the next public holiday in Croatia?

The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Croatia section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.

What is Croatia's country code?

Croatia's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is HR.

How many public holidays are there in Croatia in 2026?

Croatia has 14 nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. This includes Easter Sunday and Easter Monday as separate dates and excludes commemorative working days and religion-specific leave entitlements.

When is Easter in Croatia in 2026?

Easter Sunday falls on April 5, 2026, and Easter Monday falls on April 6. Both dates are officially recognized nationwide public holidays.

When is Croatia's Statehood Day in 2026?

Statehood Day falls on Saturday, May 30, 2026. It commemorates the constitution of Croatia's first democratically elected multiparty parliament in 1990.

When is Corpus Christi in Croatia in 2026?

Corpus Christi falls on Thursday, June 4, 2026. It is a nationwide public holiday celebrated within the Catholic religious calendar.

Is Croatian Independence Day a public holiday?

June 25 is recognized as Independence Day, but it is a commemorative day rather than a nationwide statutory non-working holiday under the current Croatian holiday framework. Statehood Day on May 30 is a nationwide public holiday.

Does Croatia provide substitute holidays when a holiday falls on a weekend?

No. Croatian law does not generally transfer statutory holidays falling on Saturdays, Sundays or other non-working days to the following Monday.

Are public holidays paid days off in Croatia?

Croatian employment law provides wage protections and public-holiday compensation rules. The exact entitlement depends on the employee's scheduled working hours, employment agreement and applicable collective or statutory provisions.

Are all commemorative days public holidays in Croatia?

No. Croatian legislation distinguishes public holidays and non-working days from commemorative days, which generally remain normal working days. Only legally designated public holidays are included in the nationwide holiday schedule.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Croatia

The following official Croatian government and legal sources establish the 2026 public-holiday dates, statutory classifications and important distinctions between non-working holidays and commemorative days.

• Croatian Parliament – Official Public Holidays and Memorial Days: Confirms the nationwide holiday list, the dates of Easter and Corpus Christi in 2026, and the distinction between holidays and commemorative working days.
• Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – Public Holidays 2026: Provides the official 2026 holiday calendar and English names for Croatian national and religious holidays. The diplomatic mission calendar also contains Turkish holidays, which are not Croatian nationwide holidays.
• Official Gazette – Act on Holidays, Memorial Days and Non-Working Days (NN 110/2019): Establishes Croatia's general legal framework for nationwide holidays, memorial days and religious holiday entitlements.
• Official Gazette – Holiday Law Amendment (NN 72/2025): Establishes May 3 as a commemorative day for children killed or affected during the Homeland War, without adding a general nationwide non-working holiday.
• Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – 2026 Holiday Calendar PDF: Lists Croatia's 2026 holidays and corresponding weekdays alongside additional Belgian holidays applicable to the Croatian Embassy in Brussels.