Poland: Government officials to receive August 14 day off

In August 2026, Poland will experience a unique holiday schedule due to the Assumption of Mary and Polish Armed Forces Day falling on a Saturday. Under Polish labor law, holidays occurring on a Saturday require employers to grant an additional day off to employees.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has officially designated Friday, August 14, 2026, as a day off for members of the civil service and government administration. This includes employees of ministries, central and provincial offices, the National Revenue Administration, and various state services such as the Police. Consequently, many government institutions, including tax offices and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), will be closed on Friday.

For employees in the private sector and local government, the specific day off must be determined by their respective employers within the same settlement period.

Retailers are also adjusting to the upcoming long weekend. Most large supermarkets and shopping malls will be closed on Saturday, August 15, due to the public holiday, followed by a non-trading Sunday on August 16. To accommodate shoppers, retailers like Lidl have announced extended operating hours on Friday, August 14, with many locations staying open until at least 23:00.