What are the public holidays and vacation entitlements in Poland?

Understanding Public Holidays and Vacation Entitlements in Poland

Poland has a well-defined framework for public holidays and vacation entitlements, outlined in the Labour Code. These regulations ensure employees receive appropriate rest, time with family, and fair compensation. In this blog post, we'll explore the key aspects of public holidays and annual leave in Poland, including recent updates and important nuances.

Public Holidays in Poland

Poland recognizes 13 official public holidays, with an additional holiday introduced from 2025 onward.

List of Public Holidays

1. January 1 – New Year’s Day
2. January 6 – Epiphany
3. Easter Sunday (movable)
4. Easter Monday (movable)
5. May 1 – Labour Day
6. May 3 – Constitution Day
7. Pentecost Sunday (movable)
8. Corpus Christi (movable)
9. August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Armed Forces Day
10. November 1 – All Saints’ Day
11. November 11 – Independence Day
12. December 25 – Christmas Day
13. December 26 – Second Day of Christmas (Boxing Day)

New Addition (from 2025)

• December 24 – Christmas Eve becomes an official public holiday starting in 2025.

Rules and Compensation

• If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, there is no additional day off.
• If it falls on a Saturday, employers are typically required to grant a substitute day off.
• Employees required to work on public holidays are entitled to either a compensatory day off or double pay (regular wage plus 100% bonus).
• Public holidays are non-working days unless the nature of the work justifies otherwise (e.g., healthcare, emergency services, public transport).

Annual Leave Entitlement in Poland

Annual paid leave in Poland is governed by length of service, including both professional experience and education.

Number of Days

• 20 working days per year for employees with less than 10 years of total employment history.
• 26 working days per year for those with 10 years or more of combined work and education service.

Educational Credits

• Secondary education, post-secondary, and higher education contribute toward years of service.
• For example, completing a master’s degree may count as 8 years of service.

Accrual System

• In the first calendar year of employment, leave accrues monthly (1/12 of the annual entitlement for each month worked).
• From the second year onward, the full entitlement is granted at the start of each calendar year.

Taking and Planning Leave

• Employers typically create an annual leave plan in agreement with employees.
• If no leave schedule exists, time off is granted by mutual agreement.
• Employees may split their leave into multiple parts.
• At least one portion must be a continuous 14-day break (including weekends and public holidays).

Leave on Demand

Employees have the right to request 4 days per year of “leave on demand.” These can be taken at the employee’s discretion, provided they inform the employer at the latest on the day the leave starts.

Carryover and Expiry

• Unused annual leave must be taken by September 30 of the following calendar year.
• If not used in time, the leave generally expires, although legal claims to use the leave remain valid for three years.
• During the notice period of employment termination, employers may require employees to use outstanding leave.
• If unused upon termination, the employer must compensate for it in cash.

Payment for Leave

• While on annual leave, employees receive their regular salary.
• If variable pay is involved (commissions, bonuses), the average from the previous 3 to 12 months is used to calculate leave pay.

Other Types of Leave

Polish labor law provides additional forms of leave to accommodate various life situations:

Sick Leave

• Employees are entitled to 80% of their salary for the first 33 days of sick leave (paid by the employer).
• After this period, social security pays the sick benefit.

Maternity Leave

• Lasts 20 to 37 weeks, depending on the number of children born.
• Fully paid by the social security system.

Paternity Leave

• Fathers are entitled to 2 weeks, which can be taken up to 24 months after the birth of a child.

Parental Leave

• Parents may jointly take up to 41 weeks (or 43 weeks in the case of multiple births).
• This leave can be extended under special conditions.

Care Leave

• Employees may take 30 days per year to care for a disabled child under specific conditions.

Force-Majeure Leave

• Employees can take up to 2 days or 16 hours per year for urgent family matters.
• This is paid at 50% of the standard wage.

Special Occasions Leave

Leave is also granted for important life events:

• 2 days for a wedding (employee's or child’s),
• 2 days for the birth of a child,
• 1-2 days for funerals of close relatives.

Weekly Rest and Working Time Rules

• Employees must receive a minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest within each 24-hour period.
• A minimum of 35 consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest is required each week, usually including a Sunday.

Final Thoughts

Poland offers generous protections when it comes to paid time off, with a clear structure balancing work obligations and personal life. Whether you're an employee planning your vacation or an employer managing workforce schedules, understanding these entitlements ensures compliance and contributes to a healthier work-life culture.