Public Holidays in Poland 2026 – National & Christian Holidays

Poland has 14 statutory public holiday dates in 2026, covering national commemorations and major Christian holidays. Four of the statutory holidays fall on Sundays in 2026, while two fall on Saturdays. Christmas Eve is also now a permanent statutory day off following a change to Polish law that took effect in 2025.

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Next Public Holiday in Poland

[next_public_holiday country="Poland"]

Public Holidays in Poland 2026

[public_holidays country="Poland" year="2026"]

Poland's statutory days off are established under the Act of 18 January 1951 on Days Free from Work. The consolidated legislation lists New Year's Day, Epiphany, both Easter days, the May holidays, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, the Assumption, All Saints' Day, Independence Day, Christmas Eve and both Christmas days as days free from work.

How Public Holidays Work in Poland

Poland distinguishes statutory days free from work from ordinary commemorative or observance days. A celebration appearing on a calendar does not automatically make it a nationwide statutory public holiday.

The statutory system includes both fixed-date holidays and Christian holidays whose dates change from year to year. Easter, Pentecost and Corpus Christi therefore appear on different calendar dates each year, while holidays such as New Year's Day, Independence Day and Christmas remain fixed.

Christmas Eve Is a Public Holiday in Poland

Christmas Eve, 24 December, is a statutory day free from work in Poland. It was added to the country's holiday legislation by the Act of 6 December 2024, with the amendment taking effect on 1 February 2025.

This means Christmas Eve is part of Poland's nationwide statutory holiday calendar in 2026 rather than merely an informal workplace custom.

What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday?

Under Polish working-time rules, a statutory holiday that occurs on a day other than Sunday reduces an employee's working-time requirement by eight hours within the relevant settlement period.

This rule matters in 2026 because the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August and the Second Day of Christmas on 26 December both fall on Saturdays.

For employees whose normal five-day working week already makes Saturday a non-working day, the employer generally needs to arrange another day off so that the correct working-time requirement is maintained. The date of that compensatory day is not one additional nationwide public holiday because it can differ between employers and working-time settlement periods.

The Polish National Labour Inspectorate confirms this rule for the Saturday holiday on 15 August 2026.

What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday?

A statutory holiday falling on Sunday does not create the same additional working-time reduction as a holiday falling on another day of the week.

In 2026, the First Day of Easter, the National Day of the Third of May, Pentecost and All Saints' Day fall on Sundays. These remain statutory public holidays, but their Sunday occurrence does not automatically create a separate nationwide substitute Monday.

Long Weekends in Poland in 2026

Several 2026 holidays create useful breaks for people who normally work Monday to Friday.

• Easter: Easter Monday creates a three-day weekend for many Monday-to-Friday employees.
• May State Holiday: 1 May falls on Friday, creating a Friday-to-Sunday break for many workers.
• Corpus Christi: 4 June falls on Thursday. Taking annual leave on Friday can extend the break through the weekend, but Friday is not an official public holiday.
• Christmas: Christmas Eve falls on Thursday and Christmas Day on Friday, followed by the Second Day of Christmas on Saturday and Sunday on 27 December. This creates a four-day holiday period for many Monday-to-Friday employees.

Any annual-leave day used to extend a holiday period is optional and should not be confused with an officially declared public holiday.

Are Shops Open on Public Holidays in Poland?

Trading in commercial establishments is generally restricted on Sundays and statutory public holidays in Poland, subject to exceptions set out in legislation. Certain businesses and activities can continue operating where a statutory exception applies.

The introduction of Christmas Eve as a statutory holiday also affects work and trading on 24 December. The Polish National Labour Inspectorate explains the updated Christmas Eve rules and the circumstances in which work may still legally be performed.

Can Employees Work on a Public Holiday in Poland?

Work on Sundays and public holidays is permitted in specified circumstances rather than being prohibited in every occupation. Polish labour rules allow it, for example, in certain shift operations, transport, health services, rescue services, hospitality and other activities that must continue because of their nature or public need.

Where an employee legally works on a Sunday or public holiday, Polish labour law contains rules on compensatory time off and, in specified circumstances, additional remuneration. The National Labour Inspectorate's working-time guidance provides further details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many statutory public holidays are there in Poland in 2026?

Poland has 14 statutory public holiday dates in 2026. This count excludes ordinary observances and employer-selected compensatory days.

What is the next public holiday in Poland?

The next holiday changes during the year. The Next Public Holiday section above uses the VisaBoards holiday database to show the current upcoming statutory holiday.

Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Poland?

Yes. Christmas Eve on 24 December became a statutory day free from work from 2025 and remains part of Poland's public holiday calendar in 2026.

Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Poland?

Yes. Both the first and second days of Easter are statutory days free from work under Polish law.

Is Good Friday a public holiday in Poland?

No. Good Friday is an important Christian observance but is not included in Poland's statutory nationwide list of days free from work.

Does Poland give another day off when a holiday falls on Saturday?

A holiday falling on a day other than Sunday reduces the applicable working-time requirement. For many Monday-to-Friday employees, a Saturday holiday therefore results in another day off arranged by the employer within the applicable settlement period.

Does Poland give a substitute Monday when a holiday falls on Sunday?

No automatic nationwide substitute Monday is created simply because a statutory holiday falls on Sunday.

Are shops closed on Polish public holidays?

Trading in commercial establishments is generally restricted on statutory public holidays, although Polish law provides exceptions for specified businesses and activities.

Are all Polish national observances public holidays?

No. Poland has commemorative and national observance days that do not qualify as statutory days free from work. Only dates covered by the relevant legal framework should be treated as nationwide statutory public holidays.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Poland

• Internet System of Legal Acts (ISAP) – consolidated Act on Days Free from Work: establishes Poland's statutory days free from work.
• Zielona Linia – Public holidays and days off in 2026: confirms the statutory holiday dates and weekdays for 2026.
• Sejm legislation – Act of 6 December 2024: verifies the addition of Christmas Eve to the statutory holiday list.
• Polish National Labour Inspectorate – day off for the 15 August 2026 Saturday holiday: explains the working-time consequences of a statutory holiday falling on Saturday.
• Polish National Labour Inspectorate – working time guidance: explains work on Sundays and public holidays and applicable compensatory rules.