Cyprus has 14 recognized nationwide public holidays in 2026, including national celebrations, Orthodox Christian festivals and Christmas holidays. Several religious holidays follow the Orthodox calendar, meaning their dates change each year. Cyprus also has additional bank closure days that are not general nationwide public holidays. This guide explains the official holiday calendar, Orthodox Easter, national observances, banking arrangements, long weekends and practical information for employees and visitors.
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Next Public Holiday in Cyprus
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2026 | Wednesday | Ochi Day (Greek National Day) | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Cyprus 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| January 6, 2026 | Tuesday | Epiphany (Theophany) | Confirmed |
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | Green Monday (Clean Monday) | Confirmed |
| March 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Greek Independence Day | Confirmed |
| April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | Cyprus National Day | Confirmed |
| April 10, 2026 | Friday | Orthodox Good Friday | Confirmed |
| April 13, 2026 | Monday | Orthodox Easter Monday | Confirmed |
| April 14, 2026 | Tuesday | Orthodox Easter Tuesday | Bank Holiday |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| June 1, 2026 | Monday | Orthodox Whit Monday (Kataklysmos) | Confirmed |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption Day | Confirmed |
| October 1, 2026 | Thursday | Cyprus Independence Day | Confirmed |
| October 28, 2026 | Wednesday | Ochi Day (Greek National Day) | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | Boxing Day (Second Day of Christmas) | Confirmed |
The Republic of Cyprus recognizes 14 nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. The schedule includes fixed-date national holidays and movable Orthodox Christian celebrations. Orthodox Good Friday, Easter Monday, Green Monday and Whit Monday follow the Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar.
The holiday dates are supported by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission's official holiday calendar and the Central Bank of Cyprus 2026 bank holiday schedule.
This calendar covers the Republic of Cyprus's public-holiday arrangements. Northern Cyprus operates under a separate holiday system and is not covered by this schedule.
National Holidays in Cyprus
Cyprus observes several important national commemorations that reflect the island's modern history, independence and historical connections with Greece.
Greek Independence Day – March 25
Greek Independence Day is observed in Cyprus on March 25 each year. It commemorates the Greek independence struggle that began in 1821.
The occasion is marked through ceremonies, commemorations and educational activities. It is a recognized nationwide public holiday in Cyprus.
Cyprus National Day – April 1
Cyprus National Day, also known as EOKA Day or the Cyprus National Anniversary, is observed on April 1.
It commemorates the beginning of the EOKA campaign against British colonial rule in 1955. The occasion forms part of Cyprus's modern national history and is recognized as a nationwide public holiday.
Cyprus Independence Day – October 1
Cyprus Independence Day is celebrated annually on October 1. It marks the Republic of Cyprus's independence from British colonial administration in 1960.
The holiday is associated with official ceremonies, public commemorations and celebrations of Cypriot statehood.
In 2026, Independence Day falls on Thursday, October 1.
Ochi Day – October 28
Ochi Day, also called Greek National Day, commemorates Greece's rejection of an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940, during the Second World War.
The observance is recognized as a public holiday in Cyprus and is commonly associated with parades, school commemorations and national ceremonies.
Orthodox Religious Holidays in Cyprus
Orthodox Christianity plays a significant role in the Republic of Cyprus's holiday calendar. Several recognized public holidays are linked to Orthodox religious traditions and change dates annually.
Epiphany (Theophany)
Epiphany, also known as Theophany, is celebrated on January 6. It commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
In Cyprus, the celebration is traditionally associated with the blessing of waters. Ceremonies may take place in churches and coastal communities, where crosses are sometimes thrown into the sea as part of religious observances.
Green Monday (Clean Monday)
Green Monday, known locally as Kathara Deftera, marks the beginning of Great Lent in the Orthodox Christian tradition.
It is celebrated seven weeks before Orthodox Easter and is an important public holiday in Cyprus.
Many families spend the day outdoors, enjoying picnics, flying kites and eating traditional Lenten foods such as vegetables, olives, seafood and lagana bread.
Green Monday falls on February 23 in 2026.
Orthodox Good Friday and Easter Monday
Orthodox Easter is one of the most significant religious celebrations in Cyprus. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Easter Monday forms part of the celebration of his resurrection.
In 2026, Orthodox Good Friday falls on April 10 and Orthodox Easter Monday falls on April 13. Both are recognized nationwide public holidays.
Orthodox Easter Sunday falls on April 12, although Easter Sunday itself is not counted as a separate public-holiday date in the 14-date VisaBoards dataset.
Church services, candlelit celebrations, family gatherings and traditional Easter meals are central to the Easter period.
Orthodox Whit Monday (Kataklysmos)
Orthodox Whit Monday falls on June 1 in 2026 and is recognized as a nationwide public holiday.
In Cyprus, the holiday is closely associated with Kataklysmos, or the Festival of the Flood. Celebrations are particularly popular in coastal towns and may include water-related activities, music, traditional performances and community festivals.
The religious holiday follows Orthodox Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
Assumption Day
Assumption Day is observed on August 15. In the Orthodox tradition, the observance is associated with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
It is an important religious occasion involving church services and family gatherings. In 2026, August 15 falls on Saturday, but the date remains a recognized public holiday.
Christmas Holidays in Cyprus
Cyprus recognizes Christmas Day on December 25 and Boxing Day, also called the Second Day of Christmas, on December 26.
Christmas is celebrated with religious services, family gatherings, traditional meals and seasonal events throughout the country.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday and Boxing Day falls on Saturday.
Christmas Eve, December 24, is observed by many families and is listed as a closure day by certain public authorities, including CySEC. However, it is not included among the 14 general nationwide public holidays in this dataset.
Bank Holidays in Cyprus 2026
Bank holidays in Cyprus generally overlap with nationwide public holidays, but the banking sector also observes an additional closure during the Orthodox Easter period.
The Central Bank of Cyprus confirmed that banks would close on Orthodox Good Friday, Orthodox Easter Monday and Orthodox Easter Tuesday in April 2026.
Orthodox Easter Tuesday – April 14
Orthodox Easter Tuesday is a bank holiday in Cyprus in 2026. Banks are closed on Tuesday, April 14, as part of the Orthodox Easter banking arrangements.
This additional banking closure is not treated as a general nationwide public holiday in the VisaBoards database.
Individuals and businesses should check bank processing arrangements before scheduling payments or financial transactions around Easter.
Do All Bank Holidays Apply to Other Businesses?
No. A banking closure does not automatically mean that all government offices, shops or private businesses are closed.
The Central Bank's calendar specifically identifies dates affecting banking operations. Other institutions may follow their own published holiday schedules.
The official Central Bank of Cyprus 2026 bank holiday document provides the applicable banking dates.
Long Weekends in Cyprus in 2026
Several public holidays create opportunities for extended breaks in 2026. The following examples assume a standard Monday-to-Friday working schedule with weekends off.
Green Monday Weekend – February 21 to February 23
Green Monday falls on Monday, February 23, creating a three-day weekend beginning Saturday, February 21.
This is a popular period for outdoor activities, family gatherings and traditional Green Monday celebrations.
Orthodox Easter Weekend – April 10 to April 13
Orthodox Good Friday falls on Friday, April 10, while Orthodox Easter Monday falls on Monday, April 13.
These dates create a four-day weekend for many employees with a typical weekday working schedule.
Banks additionally close on Tuesday, April 14, although that extra closure is not a general nationwide public holiday.
Labour Day Weekend – May 1 to May 3
Labour Day falls on Friday, May 1, creating a three-day weekend for employees who do not normally work on Saturdays or Sundays.
Whit Monday Weekend – May 30 to June 1
Orthodox Whit Monday falls on June 1, providing a three-day weekend from Saturday, May 30, through Monday, June 1.
This holiday coincides with the Kataklysmos celebration period, making coastal communities particularly popular for seasonal festivities.
Christmas Weekend – December 25 to December 27
Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, and Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 26.
Employees with a standard five-day working week can enjoy a three-day weekend through Sunday, December 27.
These examples describe calendar-based opportunities rather than additional government-declared leave. Actual time off depends on employment arrangements and workplace schedules.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Cyprus?
Public-holiday pay and time-off entitlements in Cyprus depend on the employee's sector, employment contract and any applicable collective agreement or legal provisions.
Some employees are entitled to paid time off for recognized public holidays, while other arrangements may apply to employees who must work during those dates.
Employees should check their employment terms or consult the competent labour authorities to determine the exact rules applicable to their workplace.
Public-holiday entitlements should also be distinguished from statutory annual leave, which is governed by separate employment legislation.
Are Shops, Banks and Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Shops and Supermarkets
Retail opening hours in Cyprus vary by location, business type and holiday.
Some shops and supermarkets close on major public holidays, while convenience stores, tourist-area businesses and essential retail services may continue operating.
Visitors should check the opening hours of specific establishments, particularly around Orthodox Easter and Christmas.
Banks
Banks generally follow the official Central Bank of Cyprus holiday schedule, including the additional Easter Tuesday closure.
Bank branches may be unavailable while electronic banking services remain accessible. Payment processing and settlement arrangements can differ from normal business days.
Government Offices
Government offices generally observe recognized public holidays, although individual departments and overseas missions may publish additional closure dates.
Embassy closure calendars may include holidays observed in the host country and should not automatically be treated as the Republic of Cyprus's domestic public holiday schedule.
Are Public Holidays Moved When They Fall on Weekends?
Cyprus does not generally provide an automatic replacement Monday for every nationwide public holiday that falls on Saturday or Sunday.
For example, Assumption Day falls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, while Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 26. These dates remain recognized holidays without automatically creating nationwide replacement days on the following Mondays.
Additional leave may be provided in particular workplaces or sectors under applicable employment arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Cyprus?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Cyprus section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
What is Cyprus's country code?
Cyprus's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is CY.
How many public holidays are there in Cyprus in 2026?
The Republic of Cyprus has 14 recognized nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. This count excludes the additional Easter Tuesday bank holiday, Christmas Eve and other institution-specific closures.
When is Orthodox Easter in Cyprus in 2026?
Orthodox Easter Sunday falls on April 12, 2026. Orthodox Good Friday is April 10, Easter Monday is April 13, and the additional Easter Tuesday bank holiday falls on April 14.
When is Green Monday in Cyprus in 2026?
Green Monday falls on Monday, February 23, 2026. It marks the beginning of Orthodox Lent and is a nationwide public holiday.
When is Kataklysmos celebrated in Cyprus in 2026?
Kataklysmos is associated with Orthodox Whit Monday, which falls on June 1, 2026. The holiday is traditionally celebrated through water-related activities and cultural events, particularly in coastal communities.
Is Easter Tuesday a public holiday in Cyprus?
Orthodox Easter Tuesday, April 14, 2026, is an additional bank holiday confirmed by the Central Bank of Cyprus. It is not included among the 14 general nationwide public holidays in this dataset.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Cyprus?
Christmas Eve, December 24, is not included in the general nationwide public-holiday schedule used here. Certain public institutions, including CySEC, nevertheless list it as a closure day.
Are public holidays paid in Cyprus?
Holiday pay and time-off entitlements depend on applicable employment legislation, collective agreements and individual employment contracts. Employees should check the rules covering their sector and workplace.
Does Cyprus provide substitute holidays when public holidays fall on weekends?
Cyprus does not generally move every weekend public holiday to the following Monday. Additional time off may depend on sector-specific or contractual arrangements.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Cyprus
The following official institutions provide information about Cyprus's recognized public holidays, banking closures and institutional holiday schedules.
- Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission – Public Holidays: Publishes the commission's holiday dates and institutional closure schedule, including the main public holidays observed in 2026.
- Central Bank of Cyprus – Bank Holidays 2026: Provides the official banking holiday calendar for the year.
- Central Bank of Cyprus – Official 2026 Holiday Calendar PDF: Lists banking closure dates, including Orthodox Easter Tuesday, and identifies certain holidays falling on Saturdays.
- Central Bank of Cyprus – Orthodox Easter Bank Holiday Announcement: Confirms bank closures on April 10, April 13 and April 14, 2026.
- Republic of Cyprus – High Commission in Nairobi, Working Hours and Holidays: Provides a Cyprus government mission's 2026 holiday information. The mission calendar includes host-country and institution-specific arrangements and should not be used alone to determine nationwide holidays.
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