Public Holidays and Days Off in Poland in 2026
When moving to a new country, understanding local traditions and celebrations greatly helps with adaptation. It’s much easier to make friends during holidays, when the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
In this article, we’ll discuss when school breaks take place in Poland, what the official working calendar looks like, which days are public holidays, and how to plan your vacation time in the most efficient way.
We previously wrote about holidays and weekends in Germany in 2026.
Public Holidays in Poland at the Service of Your Vacation
In 2026, several national holidays in Poland fall on working days — there are only five such dates. Additionally, employees may receive two extra paid days off when public holidays fall on a Saturday (whether these days are granted depends on the company’s internal policy). In total, that’s seven additional days — not a lot for a proper rest. However, by wisely combining official holidays with the statutory 20 days of paid leave (plus 5 additional days for seniority), you can significantly extend your time off.
Here are some ways to organize long weekends:
- New Year period: by taking leave on January 2 and 5, you could rest from January 1 to 6.
- Easter: in 2026, Easter falls on April 5 and 6. Taking April 3 and 7 off would give you a longer break.
- May holidays: Labour Day (May 1) falls on a Friday. By taking leave from April 27 to 30, you can enjoy nine consecutive days off — perfect for a trip.
- Corpus Christi: June 4 falls on a Thursday. Taking Friday off gives you four days of rest.
- Independence Day: November 11 falls on a Wednesday. Taking November 12 and 13 off extends the break until Sunday.
- Christmas holidays: from December 24 to 26, Poland celebrates Christmas. By taking leave from December 28 to 31, you can enjoy up to 11 days off around the New Year period.
For families, the best time to travel is during winter school holidays in January and February. Singles and couples may prefer September, when the weather remains pleasant but tourist crowds are much smaller. Retirees have full flexibility — the shoulder season is often ideal, as resorts are less crowded while service quality remains high.
National Public Holidays in Poland
Public holidays in Poland reflect the country’s strong Catholic traditions, modern history, and national identity. Below, we focus on official public holidays that grant a statutory day off (unless the date falls on a Sunday).
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, the employer decides whether the company operates that day. If the company closes, employees receive a day off without using their annual leave. This rule is particularly relevant for those working shift schedules (e.g., 2-on-2-off) or in sectors that include weekend work, such as retail, services, and communications.
Public Holidays in Poland in 2026
| Month | Public Holiday |
|---|---|
| January | 1 — New Year’s Day |
| 6 — Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) | |
| April | 5 — Easter Sunday |
| 6 — Easter Monday | |
| May | 1 — Labour Day |
| 3 — Constitution Day | |
| 24 — Pentecost (Whit Sunday) | |
| June | 4 — Corpus Christi |
| August | 15 — Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Polish Armed Forces Day |
| November | 1 — All Saints’ Day |
| 11 — National Independence Day | |
| December | 25 — Christmas Day |
| 26 — Second Day of Christmas (Boxing Day) |
The holidays listed above are official public holidays, though they are not the only significant dates in the Polish calendar. Other widely celebrated occasions include Grandmother’s Day (21 January) and Grandfather’s Day (22 January), as well as anniversaries of Polish uprisings (there were four major ones in history), which are often marked with special events and promotional campaigns.
Another particularly interesting celebration is Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek) — a traditional Christian holiday observed on the last Thursday before Lent. The main tradition is eating large quantities of pastries, especially doughnuts (pączki), faworki (angel wings), and other sweets.
Religious Holidays in Poland
In addition to national public holidays, Poles observe several strictly religious celebrations. These dates do not affect working days and are not official public holidays.
Religious Holidays Calendar (excluding public holidays), 2026
| Month | Holiday |
|---|---|
| February | 2 — Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) |
| April | 2 — Holy Thursday |
| 3 — Good Friday | |
| 4 — Holy Saturday | |
| 12 — Divine Mercy Sunday | |
| May | 17 — Ascension of the Lord |
| November | 29 — St. Andrew’s Day |
| December | 4 — St. Barbara’s Day |
| 6 — St. Nicholas Day |
Public Holidays in Polish Labour Law
According to Article 151 (10) of the Polish Labour Code, work on public holidays is generally prohibited. Exceptions apply to essential sectors such as healthcare, transport, and retail. Employers conclude separate agreements with employees and trade unions that clearly define pay rates, compensation rules, and conditions for working on public holidays.
If a Polish public holiday falls on a weekend, it is not automatically moved to a weekday. Employees who are required to work during official holidays are entitled either to a compensatory day off or to overtime pay.
Public holidays are not included in the calculation of annual leave. However, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, no additional compensatory day is granted.
A local tip: Poland has a strong culture of marches, parades, and marathons. If someone wants to participate in an official marathon, they may request a day off that does not count against annual leave. Participation is often free for students or people under 26, while others may need to pay a registration fee. Some locals even register for a marathon simply to justify an extra day off — attendance is rarely strictly verified.
Public holidays in Poland can noticeably affect daily life:
- Large supermarkets and shopping centres may be closed on major holidays.
- Banks and government offices do not operate.
- Museums and tourist attractions usually remain open but may have reduced hours.
- Public transport runs on a holiday schedule with reduced frequency.
It is particularly important to plan urgent matters ahead of All Saints’ Day and Easter, as city centres can become much quieter than usual during these periods.
School Holidays in Poland
In 2026, the main school holidays in Poland include three major periods: winter, Easter, and summer breaks. In addition, students receive extra days off during official public holidays.
To better regulate tourist flows, winter holidays are scheduled at different times depending on the voivodeship:
- January 19 — February 1: Mazowieckie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie
- February 2 — February 15: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Zachodniopomorskie, Małopolskie, Opolskie
- February 16 — March 1: Podkarpackie, Lubelskie, Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, Śląskie
Easter holidays will take place from April 2 to April 7. The May break is usually observed from May 1 to May 3. Summer holidays are the same nationwide, running from June 27 to August 31. Christmas holidays typically last from December 22 to December 31.
Money Transfers from Poland
Public holidays are a great opportunity to surprise loved ones with thoughtful gifts. If you are unsure what to give or your family lives abroad, sending money can be a practical and meaningful option.
The Korona app delivers money transfers to more than 60 countries within minutes, ensuring your financial gift reaches its destination quickly and securely.
The app is available for download in the App Store and Google Play. On our blog, you can find more articles about life and work in Europe.