Czechia has 13 nationwide public holidays in 2026, covering national commemorations, Christian celebrations and traditional days off. The holiday calendar is established under Act No. 245/2000 Coll., which distinguishes state holidays from other public holidays. Both categories are legally recognized days of rest. This guide explains the official 2026 holiday schedule, bank closures, long weekends, employment rules and important dates for visitors and residents.
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Next Public Holiday in Czechia
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2026 | Wednesday | Independent Czechoslovak State Day | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Czechia 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | Restoration of the Independent Czech State / New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Confirmed |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour Day | Confirmed |
| May 8, 2026 | Friday | Victory Day | Confirmed |
| July 5, 2026 | Sunday | Saints Cyril and Methodius Day | Confirmed |
| July 6, 2026 | Monday | Jan Hus Day | Confirmed |
| September 28, 2026 | Monday | Czech Statehood Day | Confirmed |
| October 28, 2026 | Wednesday | Independent Czechoslovak State Day | Confirmed |
| November 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day and International Students' Day | Confirmed |
| December 24, 2026 | Thursday | Christmas Eve | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | Second Christmas Day (St. Stephen's Day) | Confirmed |
Czechia recognizes 13 distinct nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. January 1 has two official designations but counts as one calendar date. The schedule includes Good Friday and Easter Monday, which are the only movable public holidays; the remaining holidays occur on fixed calendar dates.
The official dates are published in the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 2026 holiday calendar and the Czech National Bank holiday schedule.
State Holidays and Other Public Holidays in Czechia
Czech law separates public holidays into two legal categories: state holidays (státní svátky) and other holidays (ostatní svátky). Both categories are recognized as days of rest under Act No. 245/2000 Coll.
State Holidays (Státní svátky)
State holidays commemorate important events, historical figures and milestones in Czech national identity. These include the restoration of the independent Czech state, Victory Day, Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, Jan Hus Day, Czech Statehood Day, the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia and the struggle for freedom and democracy.
Although their historical significance differs, these holidays share the same nationwide legal recognition as public holidays.
Other Holidays (Ostatní svátky)
Other legally recognized holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Second Day of Christmas.
January 1 is both Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State and New Year's Day. It is therefore included only once in the public holiday calendar.
The legal categories and their treatment as days of rest are established by Act No. 245/2000 Coll., published by the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Major National Holidays in Czechia
Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State
January 1 commemorates the establishment of the independent Czech Republic in 1993 following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The date also marks New Year's Day, making it both a national commemoration and a traditional public holiday.
Victory Day – May 8
Victory Day (Den vítězství) commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945. It is one of Czechia's legally recognized state holidays.
In 2026, Victory Day falls on Friday, May 8, creating a three-day weekend for employees with a normal Monday-to-Friday schedule.
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, observed on July 5, honors the Christian missionaries associated with the spread of Christianity and the development of Slavic literacy in Great Moravia during the ninth century.
The holiday recognizes an important part of Czech religious and cultural history.
Jan Hus Day
Jan Hus Day is observed on July 6. It commemorates the Czech religious reformer Jan Hus, who was executed in 1415 after being condemned for heresy.
Jan Hus remains a significant historical figure associated with religious reform, conscience and Czech national history.
Czech Statehood Day – September 28
Czech Statehood Day (Den české státnosti) is celebrated on September 28, traditionally associated with Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands.
The holiday reflects Czech historical identity and the country's longstanding statehood traditions.
Independent Czechoslovak State Day – October 28
October 28 commemorates the creation of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918 following the collapse of Austria-Hungary.
It remains one of Czechia's most significant state holidays, recognizing an important milestone in the country's modern history.
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day – November 17
November 17 commemorates the struggle for freedom and democracy, including the events associated with the Velvet Revolution of 1989 and the student demonstrations of 1939.
The legal holiday name also includes International Students' Day, reflecting the historical significance of student movements in Czech history.
Religious Holidays in Czechia
Czechia recognizes several Christian holidays as nationwide public holidays. These remain part of the official calendar regardless of an individual's religious beliefs.
Good Friday and Easter Monday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Easter Monday is associated with the Christian Easter period and traditional Czech spring customs.
In Czechia, Easter traditions include decorated eggs and the pomlázka, a traditional woven willow switch associated with Easter Monday celebrations.
Good Friday and Easter Monday change dates each year because they are linked to Easter Sunday. Both are officially recognized public holidays in 2026.
Christmas Holidays
Czechia officially recognizes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Second Day of Christmas as public holidays.
Christmas Eve, known as Štědrý den, is particularly important in Czech family traditions. Many households gather for a festive dinner and exchange gifts during the evening.
December 25 and December 26 continue the Christmas holiday period. All three dates are included in the national public holiday calendar.
Bank Holidays in Czechia 2026
The Czech National Bank identifies 13 bank holidays in 2026. These dates correspond to the nationwide public holiday schedule.
Unlike some countries, Czechia does not generally transfer weekend public holidays to the following Monday. Therefore, a bank holiday falling on Saturday or Sunday does not automatically create an additional weekday closure.
For banking transactions, branch visits and payment processing, the Czech National Bank's official holiday calendar is the appropriate reference.
Customers should check individual bank processing schedules when arranging payments near public holidays.
Long Weekends in Czechia in 2026
Several holidays in 2026 fall on Fridays or Mondays, creating convenient three-day breaks for employees who normally work Monday through Friday.
Easter Weekend – April 3 to April 6
Good Friday falls on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6, creating a four-day holiday period from Friday through Monday for employees who normally have weekends off.
Labour Day Weekend – May 1 to May 3
Labour Day falls on Friday, May 1, providing a three-day weekend for employees with a standard weekday working schedule.
Victory Day Weekend – May 8 to May 10
Victory Day falls on Friday, May 8. It creates another three-day weekend immediately after the Labour Day weekend.
Jan Hus Day Weekend – July 4 to July 6
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day falls on Sunday, July 5, while Jan Hus Day falls on Monday, July 6. This creates a three-day weekend for employees with Saturdays and Sundays off.
Czech Statehood Day Weekend – September 26 to September 28
Czech Statehood Day falls on Monday, September 28, creating a three-day weekend from Saturday through Monday.
Christmas Holidays – December 24 to December 27
Christmas Eve falls on Thursday and Christmas Day on Friday. The Second Day of Christmas falls on Saturday, allowing employees with a normal Monday-to-Friday working week to have four consecutive days away from work through Sunday.
These long-weekend examples assume a standard five-day working week. Actual time off depends on individual work schedules and applicable employment arrangements.
What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend?
Czechia does not operate an automatic substitute-holiday system for public holidays that fall on weekends.
The Czech National Bank expressly states that the sliding-holiday concept does not apply. When a public holiday occurs on Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday remains an ordinary business day unless it is independently designated as a holiday.
For example, Saints Cyril and Methodius Day falls on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Monday, July 6, is a holiday because it is Jan Hus Day, not because July 5 has been transferred.
Likewise, the Second Day of Christmas falls on Saturday, December 26, without automatically creating an additional substitute holiday on Monday, December 28.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Czechia?
Public holidays are legally recognized days of rest in Czechia. Employment rights relating to holiday pay and working on public holidays are governed by the Czech Labour Code, Act No. 262/2006 Coll.
When an employee does not work because a public holiday falls on a normally scheduled working day, the applicable wage or salary protection rules apply.
Employees who work on a public holiday are generally entitled to compensatory time off under the Labour Code, with arrangements for additional pay available under the relevant legal conditions.
Specific entitlements depend on whether the employee is paid wages or a statutory salary and on the applicable employment arrangements. The relevant provisions can be consulted in the Czech Labour Code.
Are Shops and Supermarkets Open on Public Holidays?
Retail opening hours in Czechia depend on the holiday and the type and size of shop.
Under Act No. 223/2016 Coll., retail stores with a sales area exceeding 200 square metres are generally prohibited from selling on several specified public holidays, including New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Victory Day, Czech Statehood Day, Independent Czechoslovak State Day, Christmas Day and the Second Day of Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, covered retail stores must stop selling at noon.
The restrictions do not apply uniformly to every business. Certain smaller shops and exempt establishments can continue operating. Good Friday, Labour Day and November 17 are not among the holidays subject to the general large-store sales prohibition under this law.
Visitors should check the opening hours of specific supermarkets, shopping centres and service providers before travelling.
Commemorative Days That Are Not Public Holidays
Czechia also recognizes significant commemorative days (významné dny). These dates acknowledge historical events and social causes but are generally normal working days unless they also coincide with a legally designated public holiday.
Examples include International Women's Day on March 8, Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 and War Veterans Day on November 11.
These commemorations are not included as separate public-holiday dates in the VisaBoards database because they do not independently provide nationwide statutory days off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Czechia?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Czechia section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
What is Czechia's country code?
Czechia's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is CZ.
How many public holidays are there in Czechia in 2026?
Czechia has 13 distinct nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. This includes both state holidays and other holidays recognized under Act No. 245/2000 Coll. January 1 carries two official holiday names but counts as one date.
When is Easter in Czechia in 2026?
Good Friday falls on Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday falls on Monday, April 6, 2026. Both dates are nationwide public holidays, creating a four-day weekend for many employees.
Is May 1 a public holiday in Czechia?
Yes. Labour Day is a nationwide public holiday observed on May 1 every year. In 2026, it falls on Friday.
When is Czech Statehood Day in 2026?
Czech Statehood Day falls on Monday, September 28, 2026. It is a nationwide state holiday associated with Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands.
Does Czechia provide substitute holidays for weekend public holidays?
No. Czechia does not generally move a public holiday falling on Saturday or Sunday to the following Monday. The original holiday date remains unchanged.
Are Czech banks closed on public holidays?
Yes. The Czech National Bank's official calendar identifies 13 bank holidays in 2026, corresponding to the recognized nationwide public-holiday dates.
Are public holidays paid days off in Czechia?
Czech employment law provides protections for employees on public holidays, including rules governing pay when a holiday falls on a scheduled workday and compensation for holiday work. The precise entitlement depends on the applicable Labour Code provisions and employment arrangements.
Are supermarkets closed on all public holidays in Czechia?
No. Czech retail restrictions apply to specified public holidays, mainly affecting stores with sales areas exceeding 200 square metres. Smaller and exempt establishments may remain open, and several public holidays do not carry the same general retail sales restrictions.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Czechia
The following official sources establish the Czech public holiday framework, 2026 dates, banking arrangements and relevant employment rules.
- Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Public Holidays 2026: Official year-specific holiday dates and weekdays published by the Czech Embassy in London.
- Czech Official Legislation – Act No. 245/2000 Coll.: Legal framework defining state holidays, other holidays and commemorative days.
- Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – Public Holidays Legislation: Official legal text explaining the classification of public holidays and days of rest.
- Czech National Bank – Bank Holidays: Official banking holiday calendar and explanation of the absence of automatic substitute holidays.
- Czech Labour Code – Act No. 262/2006 Coll.: Employment rules concerning public-holiday work, wage protection and compensatory rest.
- Czech Retail Sales Act – Act No. 223/2016 Coll.: Legal restrictions on retail sales during specified public holidays.
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