Do shops open on public holidays in Poland?

No. A statutory trade ban (ustawa o ograniczeniu handlu w niedziele i święta) closes most shops on public holidays. Small owner-operated shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, and some shops in transit areas (airports, train stations) may open under exceptions.

What if a holiday falls on a Saturday?

Since 2025, when a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday for employees on a five-day workweek, the employer must grant another day off in lieu. The employer chooses the replacement day.

Is Christmas Eve (24 December) a day off?

Yes. Since 1 January 2025, Wigilia (24 December) is a statutory non-working day in Poland.

Public Holidays in Poland (2026)

Every non-working day in Poland for 2026 — 14 statutory holidays including Wigilia, with substitute-day rules and what is closed.

Non-working days in 2026

| Date | Day | Holiday (Polish) | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | 1 Jan | Thu | Nowy Rok (New Year's Day) | Shops closed | | 6 Jan | Tue | Trzech Króli (Epiphany) | Shops closed | | 5 Apr | Sun | Wielkanoc (Easter Sunday) | Movable | | 6 Apr | Mon | Poniedziałek Wielkanocny (Easter Monday) | Movable; long weekend | | 1 May | Fri | Święto Pracy (Labour Day) | Long weekend with 3 May | | 3 May | Sun | Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja (Constitution Day) | National day; substitute day off for Saturday-rule employees if applicable | | 24 May | Sun | Zesłanie Ducha Świętego (Pentecost) | Movable | | 4 Jun | Thu | Boże Ciało (Corpus Christi) | Movable; long weekend | | 15 Aug | Sat | Wniebowzięcie NMP (Assumption of Mary) | Also Polish Armed Forces Day (Wojenna Obrona); substitute day off for Saturday-rule employees | | 1 Nov | Sun | Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints' Day) | Cemeteries busy | | 11 Nov | Wed | Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day) | National day; parades | | 24 Dec | Thu | Wigilia (Christmas Eve) | Non-working day since 2025 | | 25 Dec | Fri | Boże Narodzenie (Christmas Day) | Family gatherings | | 26 Dec | Sat | Drugi dzień Świąt (Second Day of Christmas) | Substitute day off for Saturday-rule employees |

That is 14 statutory non-working days in 2026.

Substitute-day rule

When a public holiday falls on a Saturday, employees on a five-day workweek are entitled to another day off, chosen by the employer. In 2026 this affects 15 August and 26 December. The Saturday itself remains a non-working day; the rule adds a separate compensating day.

What closes

Shops and malls — closed under the trade ban, with statutory exceptions (small owner-operated shops, pharmacies on duty, petrol stations, transit-area shops).
Public offices — closed.
Public transport — runs a holiday/Sunday schedule; check your city's operator and the Jakdojade app, as routes and timetables vary by city and holiday.
Schools — closed on statutory holidays (separate from school-vacation breaks in winter, spring, and summer).

What stays open

Pharmacies (rotating duty).
Petrol stations.
Hospitals and emergency services.
Restaurants and cafés.
Small owner-operated shops (within trade-ban exceptions).

Transport notes

On holidays, buses and trams typically run a Sunday schedule, which is lighter than weekday service. Long-distance trains (PKP Intercity) often add extra services around Easter, Corpus Christi, and Christmas. Always check the specific city operator and Jakdojade for the actual holiday timetable.