When planning a vacation, trip, or regular shopping, it is important to know in advance which days in Poland are official holidays. Most government institutions, banks, and schools are closed on public holidays, and many stores are shut as well. Additionally, some dates allow for long weekends if you take just one or two days off.
We explain which official holidays exist in Poland, what happens to trade on festive days, and how to best plan your time off
What days are official holidays in Poland
In Poland, official non-working days (dni ustawowo wolne od pracy) are established by law. On these dates, most employees have a day off with pay, and trading in large stores is usually prohibited. In recent years, the list of holidays has been expanded: starting from 2025, December 24th — Wigilia — will also be an official holiday.
Public holidays in Poland
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year (Nowy Rok) |
| January 6 | Epiphany (Święto Trzech Króli) |
| Easter (Sunday) | Wielkanoc |
| Easter Monday | Poniedziałek Wielkanocny |
| May 1 | Labour Day (Święto Pracy) |
| May 3 | Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja) |
| Pentecost (Sunday) | Zielone Świątki |
| Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) | Thursday, date changes annually |
| August 15 | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Polish Army Day |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day |
| November 11 | Independence Day of Poland |
| December 24 | Wigilia (Christmas Eve) |
| December 25 | First Day of Christmas |
| December 26 | Second Day of Christmas |
Which holidays change date each year
Several Polish holidays do not have a fixed date. They depend on the date of Easter celebrations.
These include:
- Easter;
- Easter Monday;
- Pentecost;
- Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało).
Boże Ciało often leads to long weekends in June, as it always falls on a Thursday.
Long weekends in Poland
Poles traditionally plan their vacations to combine public holidays with regular weekends.
The most popular vacation periods are:
- New Year holidays;
- May holidays (Majówka);
- the period of Boże Ciało;
- Christmas holidays in December.
If a holiday falls near a Saturday or Sunday, taking just one working day off can result in four or even five consecutive days of rest.
Are stores open on public holidays
On most public holidays, large supermarkets, shopping centers, and chain stores are closed
Typically open are:
- small private shops where the owner is behind the counter;
- gas stations;
- some pharmacies;
- cafes and restaurants;
- individual shops in tourist areas.
Therefore, it is better to do grocery shopping and necessary purchases in advance.
How public transport operates
During public holidays, buses, trams, and suburban trains usually switch to a Sunday or holiday schedule. The intervals between services may be longer than usual, especially in the morning and evening.
It is advisable to check the current schedule in the carrier’s app before traveling.
Do you need to work if a holiday falls on a Saturday
If an official public holiday falls on a Saturday, employees working a five-day week usually receive an additional day off on another day. The specific date is determined by the employer.
If the holiday falls on a Sunday, an additional day off is generally not provided.
What foreigners should remember
Those who have recently moved to Poland should consider several specifics:
- government institutions and offices are closed on public holidays;
- banks do not conduct most operations;
- delivery of goods may take longer;
- many stores are closed;
- public transport operates on a modified schedule.
Therefore, it is better to plan document processing, banking operations, and large purchases in advance.
