Poles to enjoy extended holiday, with Christmas Eve now a day off

Poland is entering an extended festive period after Christmas Eve was declared a national public holiday, giving millions of workers an additional day off for the first time in recent history.

Poland's Family, Labour and Social Policy Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk.

Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

About 13 million workers are expected to benefit from the change, Family, Labour and Social Policy Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk said on Tuesday.

🔴🎥 #NaŻywo: Briefing prasowy „Wigilia po raz pierwszy wolna od pracy oraz kolejne przełomowe zmiany od 1 stycznia” https://t.co/pBaMPelFIs

— Ministerstwo Rodziny, Pracy i Polityki Społecznej (@MRPiPS_GOV__PL) December 23, 2025

She said the decision reflected the importance of time spent with family and rest from work.

"Polish people work hard and value the time when they can rest and spend it with their loved ones," Dziemianowicz-Bąk told reporters.

💬 Dzięki ustawie o wolnej od pracy #Wigilia kilkanaście milionów polskich pracowników spędzi 24 grudnia tak, jak sobie tego życzy. To umożliwienie ludziom dojechania bezpiecznie do domu, spotkania z rodziną. Ten czas jest bezcenny - Ministra @AgaBak w programie #GośćPoranka w… pic.twitter.com/YC6jbNHuRh

— Ministerstwo Rodziny, Pracy i Polityki Społecznej (@MRPiPS_GOV__PL) December 23, 2025

She said the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) would investigate any reports of employers failing to observe the new holiday.

Employees in some sectors will still have to work on Christmas Eve, Dziemianowicz-Bąk noted.

In such cases, they will be entitled to compensation, including an additional day off or extra pay, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, money.pl