Poland prepares for August long weekend and holiday closures

Poland prepares for a long weekend in mid-August 2026, as the dual observance of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Polish Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday, August 15.

Under Polish labor law, because the holiday falls on a Saturday, employers are required to grant employees an additional day off within the same settlement period. The Prime Minister has designated Friday, August 14, as a day off for the civil service. This shift will result in the closure of various public institutions, including tax offices, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), and several regional administrative offices.

In response to the holiday, major retail chains such as Biedronka, Lidl, Aldi, and Dino have announced extended operating hours on Friday, August 14, to accommodate shoppers before the statutory trading ban on Saturday and Sunday.

Nationally, the period includes military commemorations, such as the ‘Soldier's Memory’ initiative by the 3rd Podkarpackie Territorial Defense Brigade, and religious traditions like the blessing of herbs and flowers. Localities are also adjusting public services; for example, municipal guards in Nowy Tomyśl will operate on reduced schedules, and Krakow is deploying additional seasonal buses to recreational areas.