Working Days – Hungary
Hungary's annual number of public holidays is fixed and regulated by the Labor Code. It is important for HR and payroll professionals to understand that the conversion of public holidays to working days is determined by annual government decree, which provides compensation for extended weekends.
Annual summary
| Other year | Working days | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 252 | |
| 2026 | 253 | |
| 2027 | 254 | |
| 2028 | 251 |
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Frequently asked questions
How does the public holiday to working day exchange system work in Hungary?
If a public holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, an extended weekend is created. The government may decide by annual decree to designate a Saturday as a working day to compensate for this extended weekend. This ensures that the total number of working days in the year remains constant.
Which days are established as public holidays by law in Hungary?
The statutory public holidays include New Year's Day, the 1848 Revolution Day, Good Friday, Easter, May 1 (Labour Day), Whit Sunday, Saint Stephen's Day, the 1956 Revolution Day, All Saints' Day, and Christmas and Boxing Day. Among days with national and historical significance, March 15 and October 23 are important holidays.
Is it possible for a Saturday to become a working day by annual government decree?
Yes, this is a specific feature of Hungary's system. When a public holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, the government may declare a Saturday as a working day to preserve the annual working day count. The specific dates and Saturdays are announced at the end of each year.
How should a Saturday designated as a working day be treated for payroll purposes?
A Saturday designated as a working day by annual government decree is classified as a regular working day for payroll purposes. If an employee works on that day, it is recorded as normal work performance and not as overtime, unless the employer and employee have agreed to different terms.
What should an employer do if unsure which Saturdays are working days in a given year?
The employer should refer to the government decree issued at the beginning of the year for the exact dates of public holidays and compensatory working days. The official government gazette and the Ministry of National Economy website provide this information in a timely manner.