Easter is one of the most widely observed holiday periods in the world, with multiple days off in many countries. In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on 5 April, creating a four-day weekend in countries that observe Good Friday through Easter Monday. However, the days that are public holidays — and the employer obligations for each — vary significantly by country.
This guide covers the 2026 Easter dates, explains which days are public holidays where, and helps you manage Easter across a multi-country workforce.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Easter Sunday 2026 is 5 April
- Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) are public holidays in most countries
- Easter Saturday is a public holiday in some countries (Australia, New Zealand) but not others
- Different countries have different pay rules for Easter holidays
- Managing Easter across multiple countries requires country-specific calendars
Easter 2026 Dates
| Day | Date | Public Holiday? |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | 3 April | Yes (most countries) |
| Holy Saturday | 4 April | Varies |
| Easter Sunday | 5 April | No (Sunday) |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Yes (most countries) |
Easter Public Holidays by Country
United Kingdom
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Yes |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | Yes |
Australia
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Yes (all states) |
| Easter Saturday | Yes (all states) |
| Easter Sunday | Varies by state |
| Easter Monday | Yes (all states) |
Note: Australia observes four Easter public holidays — the most of any country.
New Zealand
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Yes |
| Easter Saturday | Yes |
| Easter Sunday | Yes |
| Easter Monday | Yes |
Note: New Zealand also observes four Easter public holidays.
Ireland
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Yes |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | Yes |
Canada
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Yes (most provinces) |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | No (federal) |
Note: Good Friday is a federal holiday in Canada; Easter Monday is a federal holiday for government employees.
United States
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | No (federal) |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | No |
Note: Easter is not a federal holiday in the US. Some states observe Good Friday.
Germany
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Yes (all states) |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | Yes (all states) |
France
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | No (Alsace-Moselle excepted) |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | Yes |
India
| Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | Restricted holiday |
| Easter Saturday | No |
| Easter Sunday | No |
| Easter Monday | No |
Employer Obligations
Good Friday
Good Friday is a public holiday in most countries. Employees who don’t work on Good Friday receive their normal pay. Employees who work receive premium pay depending on the country and award.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a public holiday in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and France (Alsace-Moselle). Same rules as Good Friday apply.
Easter Saturday
Easter Saturday is a public holiday only in Australia and New Zealand. In other countries, it is a normal working day.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is rarely a public holiday. In most countries, it falls on a Sunday and is not a designated public holiday.
Managing Easter Across Countries
Use Country-Specific Calendars
For multi-country employers, set up separate calendars for each country. Apply the correct calendar based on the employee’s work location.
Handle the Varying Days
The Easter period creates different patterns:
- UK/Ireland: 2-day break (Good Friday + Easter Monday)
- Australia/NZ: 4-day break (Good Friday through Easter Monday)
- Germany: 2-day break (Good Friday + Easter Monday)
- US: No public holidays (unless state-specific)
Communicate Clearly
Publish the Easter calendar for each country at the start of the year. Ensure employees know which days are public holidays in their location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dates are Easter public holidays in 2026?
Good Friday is 3 April and Easter Monday is 6 April. Easter Saturday is 4 April (public holiday in Australia/NZ only). Easter Sunday is 5 April.
Is Good Friday a public holiday everywhere?
No. Good Friday is a public holiday in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, and many other countries, but not in the US (federal) or France (except Alsace-Moselle).
Is Easter Monday a public holiday?
Easter Monday is a public holiday in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and France (Alsace-Moselle). It is not a public holiday in the US, Canada (most provinces), or France (mainland).
Do employees get paid for Easter holidays?
Yes. In countries where Easter holidays are public holidays, employees receive their normal pay for unworked holidays and premium pay for worked holidays.
Can an employer require employees to work on Good Friday?
In most countries, yes — but with compensation. Check the specific country’s rules and the employment contract.