Poland grants August 14th as day off for civil servants, private sector to decide

In Poland, the August 15 holiday, which commemorates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the Polish Armed Forces Day, will fall on a Saturday in 2026. To compensate for this, the government has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, an additional day off for civil servants. This decision, formalized by a prime ministerial decree, grants those in government administration, including ministries and regional offices, a long weekend from August 14 to 16.

For employees in the private sector, the situation is less uniform. The Polish Labor Code mandates that employers must grant an additional day off if a public holiday falls on a Saturday. The specific date for this compensatory day off is typically determined by the employer, often within the same month or accounting period. For many, this will also result in a long weekend, though the exact date is at the employer's discretion.

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Because August 15 falls on a Saturday, the employer – in order to maintain the correct working time – must designate a day off for the employee on a date determined by themselves through a unilateral decision or individually in agreement with the employee.

This arrangement means that in 2026, many Poles will enjoy two extended holiday weekends. The first will be around the August 15 holiday. The second will be in late December, as the second day of Christmas, December 26, also falls on a Saturday. Civil servants will receive Monday, December 28, 2026, as their compensatory day off, creating a four-day holiday period from December 24 to 28. The article highlights that while government employees have their dates set, private companies will likely follow similar patterns, offering their staff extended breaks.

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In the case of a one-month accounting period, the day off in 2026 for the August 15 holiday must be granted in August, and for the December 26 holiday – in December.