Days off work in November - All Saints' Day and public holidays

November is a month in which two very important state and religious holidays fall: November 1st (All Saints' Day) and November 11th (Independence Day). For millions of Poles, this is an excellent opportunity for an extended rest and vacation planning towards the end of the year. Are November 1st and 11th days off work? What about adjacent days, such as November 2nd, 10th, or 12th? Find out what the Labour Code says and how to check days off work in November!

Are November 1st and 11th days off work?

Are November 2nd, 3rd, 10th, and 12th days off work?

Days off in November and the Labour Code - Saturday, Sunday and working day

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

Summary

FAQ - Days off work in November

Are November 1st and 11th days off work?

Yes, both November 1st (All Saints' Day) and November 11th (Independence Day) are statutory holidays in November that are days off work under the Law of January 18, 1951 on days off work.

This means that on these two days, most employees have guaranteed rest, and workplaces, banks and offices are closed.

Key facts about November 1st and 11th holidays:

✔️ November 1st is free from work because of All Saints' Day.
✔️ November 11th is a day off work because of Independence Day.
✔️ Employees hired on employment contracts receive full pay for these days.
✔️ In both of these periods, most retail outlets have a prohibition on trade.

Since when is November 11th a day off work?
Independence Day was first established as a day off in 1937. It was restored by law in 1989 and since then November 11th has continuously been a day off work throughout Poland.

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Are November 2nd, 3rd, 10th, and 12th days off work?

Many people planning a long weekend wonder whether November 10th is a day off work, or whether days like November 2nd, 3rd or 12th automatically give time off from the employer. Here's how the legal situation looks for each date:

Is November 10th a day off work?

No, November 10th is not a day off under the law. It is a standard working day. Many employees ask whether November 10th is a day off work before Independence Day - the answer is: no, unless the employer designates a day off for the holiday falling on a Saturday (e.g., if November 11th falls on a Saturday).

Are November 2nd (All Souls' Day) and November 3rd free from work?

Many employees search for information about whether November 2nd is a day off work. All Souls' Day (November 2nd) and the next day - November 3rd - are not days off work. They are standard working days unless they fall on a Saturday or Sunday.

Is November 12th a day off work?

Normally November 12th is not a day off work. An exception occurred only in 2018 as part of the centennial of independence. Today, November 12th is a standard working day.

Days off in November and the Labour Code - rules depending on the day of the week

When planning days off in November, it is worth knowing the Labour Code rules regarding holidays falling on different days of the week:

Calendar arrangement	Labour Code rules	What does this mean for the employee?
November 1st or 11th on a working day (Mon-Fri)	The day is statutory free from work Reduces working hours in the month by 8 hours Pay is paid in full	You have paid time off without needing to use vacation.
November 1st or 11th on a Saturday	Under Article 130 § 2 of the Labour Code, a holiday on Saturday reduces working hours The employer MUST designate another day off from work The day off must be granted in the same accounting period	You get an additional day off (e.g., the employer can set November 10th as free).
November 1st or 11th on a Sunday	A holiday falling on Sunday does not reduce working hours The employer has no obligation to grant another day off	An additional day off is not due.

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

⚠️ What is closed on November 1st and 11th (State/religious holidays):

❌ Large stores, hypermarkets and shopping malls - statutory prohibition on trade applies
❌ Public administration offices, post offices and schools - are completely closed
❌ Banks and ELIXIR settlement transfers - standard transfers are not processed
❌ Primary care health facilities - only hospital duty and emergency services operate

✓ What works normally on November 2nd, 10th and 12th and on holidays:

November 2nd, 10th and 12th everything works normally - shops, offices and banks operate during standard hours
Gas stations (November 1st and 11th) - open 24/7
Small neighbourhood shops (November 1st and 11th) - open if the owner is behind the counter
Cinemas, museums and restaurants (November 1st and 11th) - most gastronomic and cultural facilities remain open

Summary

When analyzing November and days off work, it is worth remembering two key dates: November 1st and 11th. The remaining days of the month are working days.

Key points to remember:

✅ November 1st is a day off work (All Saints' Day).
✅ November 11th is a day off work (Independence Day).
❌ November 10th is not a day off work - it is a standard working day.
❌ November 2nd, 3rd, and 12th are ordinary working days.
✅ If November 1st or 11th falls on a Saturday, the employer must grant another day off.

Conscious planning of vacation requests around these dates allows you to gain a long weekend and enjoy additional rest time at the end of autumn.

FAQ - Days off work in November

1. Is November 1st a day off work?

Yes, November 1st (All Saints' Day) is a statutory day off for all employees in Poland.

2. Is November 11th a day off work?

Yes, November 11th (Independence Day) is a statutory day off under applicable labour law.

3. Is November 10th a day off work?

No, November 10th is a standard working day. To have a day off, you need to submit a vacation request or receive a day off designated by the employer.

4. Is November 2nd (All Souls' Day) a day off work?

No, November 2nd (All Souls' Day) is not a statutory day off. Standard work hours apply on this day.

5. Is November 12th a day off work?

No, November 12th is a regular working day. An exceptional day off on November 12th applied only in 2018 on the occasion of the centennial of independence.

6. Since when is November 11th a day off work?

Independence Day was established as a day off for the first time in 1937. It was abolished during the Communist period and then restored in 1989. Since then, November 11th has continuously been a day off.

7. What if November 1st or 11th falls on a Saturday?

Under Article 130 § 2 of the Labour Code, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, the employer is obliged to grant the employee another day off within the same accounting period.

8. Is November 3rd a day off work?

No, November 3rd is a standard working day unless in a given year it falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

9. Are shops open on November 1st and 11th?

On both days there is a statutory prohibition on trade. Shopping malls and stores are closed. Only gas stations, pharmacies and small neighbourhood shops where the owner is behind the counter may be open.

10. How to plan a long weekend in November?

Depending on the calendar arrangement, by taking vacation on adjacent days (e.g., November 10th or November 2nd), you can get from 4 to even 9 days of continuous rest.

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