Public Holidays in Poland in 2026: The Full List of Days Off
The essentials: Poland has 14 statutory days free from work in 2026: 1 January (Thursday), 6 January (Tuesday), Easter Sunday 5 April and Easter Monday 6 April, 1 May (Friday), 3 May (Sunday), Pentecost 24 May (Sunday), Corpus Christi 4 June (Thursday), 15 August (Saturday), 1 November (Sunday), 11 November (Wednesday), Christmas Eve 24 December (Thursday) and Christmas Day with Boxing Day 25-26 December (Friday-Saturday). Christmas Eve is the newest addition - a day off since 2025 under the act of 6 December 2024. Most shops are closed on all of these days.
Photo: Kancelaria Sejmu, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Polish Army Day celebrations on 15 August in Warsaw; 15 August (Assumption) is one of Poland’s statutory public holidays.
Poland has 14 statutory days free from work in 2026: the 13 traditional public holidays set by the act of 18 January 1951 on days free from work, plus Christmas Eve (24 December), which became a statutory day off under the act of 6 December 2024, in force since 2025. Shops covered by the trading restrictions are closed on all of them, and most offices and schools do not work - so these days shape any visit to Warsaw.
The full 2026 list
1 January (Thursday) - New Year’s Day. 6 January (Tuesday) - Epiphany (Trzech Króli). 5-6 April (Sunday-Monday) - Easter. 1 May (Friday) - State Holiday (Labour Day). 3 May (Sunday) - Constitution Day of 3 May. 24 May (Sunday) - Pentecost (Zielone Świątki). 4 June (Thursday) - Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało). 15 August (Saturday) - Assumption of the Virgin Mary, also marked as Polish Army Day. 1 November (Sunday) - All Saints’ Day. 11 November (Wednesday) - National Independence Day. 24 December (Thursday) - Christmas Eve (Wigilia). 25-26 December (Friday-Saturday) - Christmas.
Christmas Eve: the newest day off
Christmas Eve has been a statutory day free from work since 2025, under the act of 6 December 2024 amending the act on days free from work and certain other acts. The National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) notes that work on 24 December is allowed only in legally permitted cases - such as emergency services, transport and catering - so in practice most shops stay closed, as on the other holidays.
What it means for a Warsaw visit
On these days the trading restrictions apply, so malls are closed while petrol stations, pharmacies and owner-run shops stay open. Public transport usually runs a holiday or Sunday schedule. Two dates reshape the city: on 1 November Warsaw’s cemeteries draw crowds and ZTM lays on special cemetery lines, and on 11 November Independence Day ceremonies, runs and marches cross the centre - see our dedicated guides for both.
Moveable feasts
Easter, Pentecost and Corpus Christi move each year: in 2026 they fall on 5-6 April, 24 May and 4 June. All other dates are fixed.
FAQ
How many public holidays does Poland have?
14 statutory days free from work in 2026: the 13 traditional public holidays plus Christmas Eve (24 December), which has been a statutory day off since 2025 under the act of 6 December 2024.
Is Christmas Eve a day off in Poland?
Yes. Since 2025, Christmas Eve (24 December) is a statutory day free from work. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday. Work that day is allowed only in legally permitted cases, so most shops are closed.
What is the next public holiday in Poland?
After 23 October 2026, the next days free from work are All Saints’ Day on 1 November (Sunday) and Independence Day on 11 November (Wednesday).
Are shops open on public holidays in Poland?
No - trading restrictions apply on every public holiday and on Christmas Eve. Exempt outlets include petrol stations, pharmacies, hotel shops and owner-operated stores.
Sources
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