Days off work in December - Christmas holidays and public holidays

December is a month in which Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve fall. For many employees, this is also a time to plan vacation and organize a holiday rest. Which days in December are statutory days off work? Are December 24th, 25th and 26th days off? What about December 23rd, 27th, 31st and December 8th? Find out what labour law says about this and how to plan time off in December.

Are December 24th, 25th and 26th days off work?

Are December 23rd, 27th, 31st and December 8th days off work?

Days off in December and the Labour Code - holidays, Saturdays and Sundays

Shops, offices and services in December - what to know?

Summary

FAQ - Days off work in December

Are December 24th, 25th and 26th days off work?

Yes. December 24th, 25th and 26th are statutory days off work. Christmas Eve was added to the catalogue of days off, and the regulations have applied since February 1, 2025.

This means that people employed under employment contracts generally do not work on these days. Exceptions apply to occupations and situations where the Labour Code allows work on Sundays and holidays, such as in transport, catering, healthcare or shift work.

Key information about Christmas holidays in December:

✔️ December 24th (Christmas Eve) is a day off work under the law on days off.
✔️ December 25th is a day off work on the occasion of Christmas Day.
✔️ December 26th is a day off work on the occasion of Boxing Day.
✔️ Work on these days is only possible in cases provided for in the regulations.
✔️ If work on a holiday is allowed and performed, the employee is entitled to appropriate compensation under the Labour Code.

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Is December 24th (Christmas Eve) a day off work?

Yes. December 24th (Christmas Eve) is a statutory day off work. The change was introduced to the law on days off and has applied since February 1, 2025.

This generally means that Christmas Eve is a day off without the need to use vacation leave. However, the regulations provide exceptions for certain types of work where performing duties on holidays is permitted.

In case of work on Christmas Eve, compensation rules for work on holidays apply. If an employee performs work on this day in cases permitted by the regulations, the employer should grant an appropriate day off under the Labour Code rules.

Are December 23rd, 27th, 31st and December 8th days off work?

Not all days in December are statutory days off. Apart from December 24th, 25th and 26th, the remaining days are free only if they result from work schedule, fall on a Sunday, or the employer sets an additional day off.

Is December 23rd free from work?

December 23rd is not a statutory day off work. If it falls on a working day according to the schedule, the employee performs their duties under the rules applicable in the workplace.

Is December 27th a day off work?

December 27th is not a statutory day off work. On this day, the National Day of the Greatpolen Uprising is celebrated, but this holiday is not in the statutory catalogue of days off.

Is December 31st (New Year's Eve) a day off work?

December 31st is not a statutory day off work. If New Year's Eve falls on a working day according to the schedule, it is a standard working day. However, the employer can set shorter working hours or grant employees a day off under the rules applicable in the workplace.

Is December 8th a holiday that is a day off work?

December 8th is not a statutory day off work in Poland. This is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, but it is not in the catalogue of days off specified in Polish regulations.

Days off in December and the Labour Code - holidays, Saturdays and Sundays

When planning days off in December, it is worth taking into account not only statutory holidays, but also days off resulting from work schedule. The day of the week on which a holiday falls is also important.

Situation	Rules	What does this mean for the employee?
December 24th, 25th or 26th on a working day	The day is statutory free from work Reduces working hours in the accounting period No need to use vacation leave	This is a day off from work without the need for a vacation request.
Holiday falling on Saturday	A holiday falling on a day other than Sunday may reduce working hours If a holiday falls on a day off resulting from an average five-day work week, the employer should grant another day off The day off should be granted in the same accounting period	Depending on work organization, another day off may be due.
Holiday falling on Sunday	A holiday falling on Sunday does not reduce working hours Generally does not result in an obligation to grant another day off	The mere fact of a holiday falling on Sunday does not mean an additional day off.

Shops, offices and services in December - what to know?

⚠️ What you should know about how facilities operate on holidays:

Stores and retail outlets - have trade restrictions on holidays, with exceptions provided for in the regulations.
Offices and schools - generally do not operate on statutory days off.
Banks and payment systems - the schedule of transfer processing may differ from standard and depends on the transfer type and payment system.
Healthcare facilities - availability of services depends on the type of facility; on days off, only appropriate forms of night and holiday care and services requiring continuous service operate.

✓ What to check before planning holiday days:

December 24th (Christmas Eve) - is a statutory day off, although regulations provide exceptions for certain types of work.
December 25th and 26th - are statutory days off; trade restrictions apply as provided for in the regulations.
December 31st - is not a statutory day off, but working hours of individual companies and facilities may be reduced.
Gas stations and selected retail outlets - may operate on holidays if they fall within the exceptions provided for in the regulations.

Summary

When planning days off in December, it is worth remembering that December 24th, 25th and 26th are statutory free days. Other days can be free depending on the day of the week, work schedule, or the employer's decision.

Key information:

✅ December 24th (Christmas Eve) is a day off work.
✅ December 25th and 26th are days off work on the occasion of Christmas.
❌ December 31st (New Year's Eve) is not a statutory day off work.
❌ December 23rd, 27th and December 8th are not statutory days off.
📅 A holiday falling on Saturday may result in an obligation to grant another day off, depending on the work schedule.
📅 A holiday falling on Sunday does not reduce working hours.

Properly planning vacation around Christmas holidays can allow for extending the rest period. When planning, it is worth taking into account not only statutory days off, but also the work schedule applicable with the given employer.

FAQ - Days off work in December

1. Is December 24th (Christmas Eve) a day off work?

Yes. From February 1, 2025, December 24th, or Christmas Eve, is a statutory day off. The regulations provide exceptions for types of work that may be performed on holidays.

2. Are December 25th and 26th days off work?

Yes. Christmas Day and Boxing Day, falling on December 25th and 26th respectively, are statutory days off.

3. Is December 31st (New Year's Eve) a day off work?

No. December 31st is not in the catalogue of statutory days off. If it is a working day according to the schedule, the employee generally performs duties under the rules applicable with the employer.

4. Is December 27th a day off work?

No. Despite December 27th being the National Day of the Greatpolen Uprising, it is not a statutory day off.

5. Is December 23rd free from work?

No. December 23rd is not a statutory day off. It can, however, be free if it results from the work schedule or employer arrangements.

6. Is December 8th a holiday that is a day off work?

No. December 8th is not a statutory day off in Poland.

7. What if a holiday falls on a Saturday?

If a holiday falls on a Saturday which is a day off due to an average five-day work week, generally working hours are reduced. The employer should then grant another day off in the same accounting period.

8. Is Christmas Eve statutory free from work?

Yes. December 24th is a statutory day off. This applies regardless of which day of the week Christmas Eve falls on.

9. How do shops operate in December?

On statutory days off there are trade restrictions, with exceptions provided for in the regulations. The opening hours of individual outlets may differ, so it is worth checking information provided by a specific store before visiting.

10. How to plan vacation in December?

When planning a vacation, it is worth first taking into account statutory days off, which are December 24th, 25th and 26th, and then checking the work schedule applicable to the employer. This way you can appropriately select vacation days and extend your rest period.

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