Public holidays in Poland (święta ustawowo wolne od pracy) are 13 days each year when employees are entitled to a paid day off. Under the Polish Labour Code (Kodeks pracy), employers must grant these holidays and pay employees accordingly. If an employee is required to work, they’re entitled to a substitute day off or double pay.
Poland’s public holidays reflect its Catholic heritage and national history. As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply, how to calculate holiday pay, and what happens when a holiday falls on a weekend. This guide covers all Polish public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under the Polish Labour Code.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Polish Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Nowy Rok) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Epiphany (Trzech Króli) | 6 January | Tuesday |
| Easter Sunday (Wielkanoc) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Poniedziałek Wielkanocny) | 6 April | Monday |
| State Holiday (Święto Pracy) | 1 May | Friday |
| Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja) | 3 May | Sunday |
| Pentecost Sunday (Zesłanie Ducha Świętego) | 24 May | Sunday |
| Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Assumption Day (Wniebowzięcie NMP) | 15 August | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Wszystkich Świętych) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Independence Day (Święto Niepodległości) | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day (Boże Narodzenie) | 25 December | Friday |
| St. Stephen’s Day (Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia) | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Easter Sunday (5 April) falls on a Sunday, Constitution Day (3 May) falls on a Sunday, Assumption Day (15 August) falls on a Saturday, All Saints’ Day (1 November) falls on a Sunday, and St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Are All 13 Holidays Mandatory?
Yes. All 13 public holidays are mandatory under the Polish Labour Code. You cannot:
- Replace a public holiday with a different day off
- Require employees to work without specific justification
- Pay employees in lieu of the day off (unless they actually work)
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Public Holiday Falls on a Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they receive their full salary. The holiday is treated as a paid working day.
Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the employee is not entitled to a substitute day off under Polish law — unless:
- The employment contract provides for a substitute day
- The collective agreement (układ zbiorowy pracy) specifies one
- The internal regulations (regulamin pracy) include substitution
However, the employee is still entitled to their regular pay for that day.
Calculating a Day’s Pay
For daily-paid employees:
- Fixed salary employees: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 21.75 for full-time)
- Hourly employees: Normal hourly rate × hours normally worked on that day
- Commission-based: Include regular commissions in the calculation
Example: An employee earning 6,000 PLN/month works Monday to Friday. Independence Day (11 November) falls on a Wednesday. Their daily pay is 6,000 PLN ÷ 22 working days = 272.73 PLN.
Working on Public Holidays
Polish law permits work on public holidays only in specific circumstances:
- Essential services: Hospitals, fire services, utilities, transportation
- Continuous operation industries: Manufacturing, hospitality
- Emergency situations: Fire, flood, industrial accident
- Special authorisation: The employer may need permission from the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP)
Compensation for Working
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They receive their regular pay
- They receive a substitute day off — within the period set by the employer (typically within 30 days)
- OR, if a substitute day is not provided, they receive double their regular pay
The employer chooses between the substitute day off and double pay, but must provide at least one.
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave (urlop wypoczynkowy) do not count as leave days. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on leave, their leave is extended by one day.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 10-15 August 2026. Assumption Day (15 August) falls within this period. The employee uses 4 leave days (10-14 August), not 5.
Religious vs. National Holidays
Poland’s public holidays include both religious and national observances:
Religious Holidays
- Easter Sunday and Monday
- Pentecost Sunday
- Corpus Christi
- Assumption Day
- All Saints’ Day
- Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day
National Holidays
- New Year’s Day
- Epiphany
- State Holiday (1 May)
- Constitution Day (3 May)
- Independence Day (11 November)
These are mandatory regardless of the employee’s religion.
Common Mistakes
Assuming Substitute Days Are Automatic
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, Polish law does not automatically grant a substitute day. Check your employment contract and collective agreement.
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave results in under-compliance.
Incorrect Pay Calculations
Using the wrong divisor (e.g., 30 days instead of 22 working days) can result in incorrect daily pay calculations.
Forgetting Weekend Holidays
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the employee is still entitled to pay for that day. Don’t assume the holiday is “lost.”
Key Takeaways
- Poland observes 13 public holidays each year — all are mandatory
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, no substitute day is automatic — check your contract
- Employees who work on a public holiday receive either a substitute day off or double pay
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- Daily pay is calculated using the average working days per month (typically 21.75)
- Religious and national holidays are mandatory regardless of the employee’s beliefs
Managing Polish public holidays — especially with the weekend substitution rules — requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars and ensures every employee gets their correct entitlements.