Working Days – Poland
Poland has 13 statutory non-working days per year, placing the country at the top of EU nations in terms of the number of public holidays. These include both religious holidays (primarily Catholic) and national holidays. For HR and payroll departments, it is important to note that public holidays falling on weekends are not compensated with additional days off.
Annual summary
| Other year | Working days | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 251 | |
| 2026 | 253 | |
| 2027 | 253 | |
| 2028 | 251 |
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Holiday rules and practice in Poland
How public holidays work in Poland, and what that means when you count working days.
- Standard work week
- Monday–Friday
- 40 hours per week
- Substitute days
- No
- A public holiday that falls on a weekend is not replaced, so it produces no extra day off.
- Regional variation
- No
- Public holidays apply uniformly across the whole country.
Bank holidays
Poland does not use a 'bank holiday' concept. Public holidays are 'dni ustawowo wolne od pracy' (days statutorily free from work).
Local terminology
| Working day | dzień roboczy / dzień pracy |
|---|---|
| Public holiday | dzień wolny od pracy / święto państwowe |
Worth knowing
- Poland has 13 public holidays per year — one of the highest counts in the EU.
- There is no substitute day system — holidays falling on weekends are not compensated.
- Both Catholic religious holidays and national/civic holidays are included.
- The working day transfer system that existed pre-2011 has been abolished.
- Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) is an official public holiday — unusual compared to most EU countries.
- All Saints' Day (Wszystkich Świętych, Nov 1) is an official holiday, unlike in many EU countries.
- Independence Day (Nov 11) is an important national holiday.
- Constitution Day (May 3) commemorates the 1791 constitution.
Frequently asked questions
What happens when a statutory non-working day falls on a Saturday or Sunday?
Poland does not have a system for making up or compensating for public holidays that fall on weekends. Employees do not receive an additional day off in exchange, and employers have no obligation to grant one. The system of substitute days, which operated before 2011, has been abolished.
How many statutory non-working days apply in Poland during a year?
Poland has 13 statutory non-working days per year, which is one of the highest numbers in the European Union. These include religious holidays such as Easter and Corpus Christi, as well as state holidays including Labor Day, Constitution Day on May 3, and National Independence Day. This number is fixed and stems directly from statutory provisions.
Is Corpus Christi an official non-working day in Poland?
Yes, Corpus Christi is a statutory non-working day in Poland, which distinguishes it from most other European Union countries. The holiday is moveable because its date depends on the date of Easter. HR and payroll departments should take this into account when planning work schedules.
Are there regional or local public holidays in Poland?
No, Poland does not have regional or local statutory non-working days. All 13 holidays apply uniformly throughout the entire country, regardless of province or industry. However, employers may grant additional days off under internal work regulations or collective agreements.
How should working days be calculated in Poland when planning leave and processing payroll?
The standard working week in Poland runs from Monday to Friday, with a standard working time of 40 hours per week. When calculating working days, Saturdays, Sundays, and all 13 statutory non-working days must be excluded. Since the dates of moveable holidays such as Easter and Corpus Christi change each year, HR departments should verify the current calendar each time when calculating salaries and planning leave.