Public holidays in Czechia (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: The Czech Republic has 13 public holidays, including Good Friday and 24 December. Work on a holiday can be ordered only for listed tasks and is paid with time off or a supplement, and larger shops must close on set holidays.

RuleWhat applies
National public holidaysPublic holidaysState holidays (§ 1): 1 January, 8 May, 5 July, 6 July, 28 September, 28 October and 17 November. Other holidays (§ 2): 1 January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May, 24 December, 25 December and 26 December. The fixed dates apply in 2026 as listed. [1]
Number of national public holidaysPublic holidays13 different days: 7 state holidays and 7 other holidays, with 1 January in both lists. [1]
Working on a public holidayPublic holidaysHolidays are days of rest (§ 3 of Act 245/2000). On a holiday the employer may order only the work listed in § 91(4) of the Labour Code: work allowed on weekly rest days, continuous operation and guarding the premises. The employee gets the wage earned plus time off for the time worked, or, if agreed, a supplement of at least average earnings (§ 115(1)-(2)). [2]
Shop opening on public holidaysPublic holidaysRetail sales are banned on 1 January, Easter Monday, 8 May, 28 September, 28 October, 25 and 26 December, and on 24 December from 12:00 to 24:00 (§ 1 of Act 223/2016). Exceptions include shops up to 200 m2, petrol stations, pharmacies and shops at airports and stations (§ 1(3)). [3]
Holiday falling on a weekendPublic holidaysAn employee gets replacement pay for a holiday only when it falls on his or her usual working day (§ 115(3) Labour Code). [2]

Notes

  • The Act does not give the 2026 dates of Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Sources

  1. Sbírka zákonů (e-Sbírka): Zákon č. 245/2000 Sb., o státních svátcích, o ostatních svátcích, o významných dnech a o dnech pracovního klidu (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Sbírka zákonů (e-Sbírka): Zákon č. 262/2006 Sb., zákoník práce (znění od 29. 8. 2026) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Sbírka zákonů (e-Sbírka): Zákon č. 223/2016 Sb., o prodejní době v maloobchodě a velkoobchodě (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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