August long weekend confirmed for public service

18 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Poland designates Friday 14 August as a public holiday for government staff, creating an August long weekend Poland. Find out what this means for expats.

Poland has announced a long weekend in August for government employees. The Prime Minister set Friday 14 August as a day off, creating an August long weekend Poland.

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Why the government gave a day off and how the law works

The Labour Code sets the rule. Consequently, a public holiday that falls on a non-Sunday reduces work time by eight hours. Moreover, if a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday, employers must compensate the lost day. Therefore, the government chose 14 August for the civil service.

The rule comes from Article 130 § 2 of the Labour Code. However, the law does not force private firms to close on that same date. In addition, private employers must give a compensatory day within the relevant accounting period. Consequently, many companies pick 14 August, but others choose a different date.

Which Warsaw offices will close on 14 August

The Prime Minister’s order applies to national administration across Poland. Thus, ministries in central Warsaw will close. Moreover, all tax offices in Warsaw will shut their counters. Therefore, expect closures at Urząd Skarbowy Warszawa-Śródmieście and Mokotów. In addition, the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Office at pl. Bankowy closes. Also, the Tax Administration chamber and Krajowa Informacja Skarbowa will not operate. The Social Insurance Institution, ZUS, will close its local inspectorates as well.

However, city hall and district offices in Warsaw do not automatically close. The Mayor or district chiefs decide separately. Consequently, check the website of your district before visiting. In addition, many services remain online via gov.pl or mObywatel.

What private employees should know

Every private employer must grant an extra day for a holiday that fell on Saturday. However, the employer sets the date. Therefore, ask HR or personnel before late July. Moreover, companies sometimes bundle compensatory days later in the year. For example, firms may add them around Christmas or in an off-season week.

Failing to grant the compensatory day breaches working-time rules. Consequently, the State Labour Inspectorate may fine the employer. In addition, an employee may report the breach to Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy. The Warsaw regional office handles such complaints.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live or work in Poland, ask HR about the compensatory day now. Book time off early, because August is peak holiday season. Also, do urgent administrative tasks before 13 August. You can renew an ID card (dowód osobisty), register a vehicle, or get tax certificates online. Remember ZUS (social insurance) and PESEL numbers often matter for appointments. Finally, mObywatel and gov.pl let you do many services remotely.

Practical planning will help you avoid closed counters and full holiday rosters. In addition, check your employer’s work-time rules and your pay slip. Consequently, you will know whether the company grants the day on 14 August or later.

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