Public holidays in Denmark (helligdage) are 11 days each year when most employees are entitled to time off. Danish public holidays are regulated by the Holiday Act (Ferieloven) and the Working Hours Act (Arbejdstidsloven). As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply, how to pay employees, and what happens when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Denmark’s public holiday system includes both fixed holidays and movable ones. The key challenge for employers is managing the “store bededag” (Great Prayer Day) and the replacement days for holidays that fall on weekends. This guide covers all Danish public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under Danish employment law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Danish Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Nytårsdag) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag) | 2 April | Thursday |
| Good Friday (Langfredag) | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Sunday (Påskedag) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Anden påskedag) | 6 April | Monday |
| Great Prayer Day (Store bededag) | 24 April | Friday |
| Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelfartsdag) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Sunday (Pinsedag) | 24 May | Sunday |
| Whit Monday (Anden pinsedag) | 25 May | Monday |
| Christmas Day (Juledag) | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (Anden juledag) | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Easter Sunday (5 April) falls on a Sunday, Whit Sunday (24 May) falls on a Sunday, and Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Great Prayer Day (Store Bededag)
Great Prayer Day is a uniquely Danish holiday — a collection of minor Christian observances combined into one day. It’s observed on the 4th Friday after Easter.
In 2026, Great Prayer Day falls on Friday 24 April. This is a full public holiday, and employees are entitled to time off with pay.
Note: There have been recent political discussions about reducing Great Prayer Day to a half-day or removing it entirely. Check the current status before relying on this holiday.
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Fixed Salary Employees
Fixed salary employees receive their regular monthly salary for public holidays. The holiday is included in their salary.
Hourly Employees
For hourly-paid employees:
- If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they receive pay for their normal hours
- If the public holiday falls on a non-working day, they receive nothing (unless the employment contract provides otherwise)
Calculating a Day’s Pay
- Fixed salary: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 22)
- Hourly: Hours normally worked × hourly rate
Example: An employee earning DKK 40,000/month works Monday to Friday. Ascension Day (14 May) falls on a Thursday. Their daily pay is DKK 40,000 ÷ 22 working days = DKK 1,818.18.
Working on Public Holidays
Danish law does not prohibit work on public holidays. However:
- Collective agreements often require premium pay for holiday work
- Employee consent is generally required
- Essential services may require work regardless
Common Premium Rates
| Situation | Premium |
|---|---|
| Collective agreement (general) | 50-100% premium |
| Easter/Christmas holidays | 100% premium |
| Essential services | Varies by agreement |
Always check your collective agreement for the applicable rate.
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Under the Holiday Act (Ferieloven), public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave (ferie) are excluded from the leave count. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on leave, their leave is extended by one day.
Important: Only public holidays are excluded — regular working days during the holiday period still count as leave.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 13-17 August 2026. No public holidays fall within this period, so all 5 days count as leave. If Ascension Day (14 May) fell within a leave period, it would not count as leave.
Store Bededag and Working Hours
Store Bededag has specific rules:
- Full holiday — Employees are entitled to the entire day off
- No substitute day — If Store Bededag falls on a weekend, there is no substitute day
- Collective agreements may provide additional compensation
In 2026, Store Bededag falls on a Friday, so no special rules apply.
Easter and Whit Sunday
Easter and Whit Sunday fall on Sundays in 2026. For employees who don’t work Sundays, these holidays have no practical impact. For employees who do work Sundays:
- Easter Sunday — No substitute day is automatically granted
- Whit Sunday — No substitute day is automatically granted
Check your collective agreement for how these are handled.
Common Mistakes
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave is a common compliance error.
Ignoring Collective Agreements
Danish employment law relies heavily on collective agreements. An employee covered by a collective agreement has additional entitlements beyond what the law requires.
Forgetting Store Bededag
Store Bededag is a uniquely Danish holiday that may not be on international employers’ radar. If you have employees in Denmark, you must observe it.
Incorrect Pay Calculations
Using the wrong divisor (e.g., 30 days instead of 22 working days) can result in incorrect daily pay calculations for hourly employees.
Key Takeaways
- Denmark observes 11 public holidays each year — all are mandatory
- Great Prayer Day (Store Bededag) is a uniquely Danish holiday on the 4th Friday after Easter
- Fixed salary employees receive regular pay for public holidays
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- Collective agreements significantly affect holiday entitlements and premium pay
- When a holiday falls on a Sunday, no substitute day is automatically granted
Managing Danish public holidays — especially Store Bededag and the Easter/Whit Sunday rules — requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars so you never miss an entitlement.