Public Holidays in Poland – Rights of Temporary Workers
Working in Poland as a foreign national, you have the same rights to public holiday leave as any other employee. Whether you are employed through a temporary staffing agency or directly — Polish labour law protects you equally.
What Are Public Holidays in Poland?
Public holidays (święta ustawowe) are days off mandated by law. Poland has 14 public holidays per year. On these days, your employer generally cannot require you to work, and if they do, you are entitled to additional compensation.
List of Poland's 14 Public Holidays
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 6 January – Epiphany (Three Kings)
- Easter Sunday – variable date (March/April)
- Easter Monday – the day after Easter Sunday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 3 May – Constitution Day
- Whit Sunday (Pentecost) – 7 weeks after Easter
- Corpus Christi – Thursday, 60 days after Easter
- 15 August – Assumption of Mary / Polish Armed Forces Day
- 1 November – All Saints' Day
- 11 November – Independence Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day (first day)
- 26 December – Christmas Day (second day)
Note: Easter covers two separate holidays (Sunday and Monday), making 14 holidays in total.
Your Rights as a Temporary Worker
1. Paid Day Off
If a public holiday falls on a weekday (Monday–Friday), you are entitled to a paid day off. Your employer (or the staffing agency) cannot deduct this day from your pay.
2. Working on a Public Holiday – What You Are Owed
If you are required to work on a public holiday, you are entitled to:
- Your regular pay for the hours worked, PLUS
- A 100% premium (totalling 200% of your hourly rate), OR
- Another day off within 6 weeks of the holiday worked
Your employer must choose one of these options. If you receive neither the premium nor the day off, this is a violation of the Labour Code.
3. Holiday Falling on a Saturday
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday, a full-time employee acquires the right to an additional day off during the same year, on a date determined by the employer.
4. Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Public holidays are not counted as annual leave days. If a holiday falls within your scheduled leave period, that day is not deducted from your leave entitlement.
Special Rules for Temporary Workers
A temporary staffing agency such as Nexflow is your formal employer. This means:
- The agency is responsible for paying your holiday entitlement, not the host company where you physically work.
- If the host company asks you to work on a public holiday, the agency must inform you of your rights before you start work.
- The terms for working on public holidays should be stated in your temporary employment contract or the workplace rules.
Practical Example from a Warehouse
You work a night shift at a warehouse. Your rota shows you are scheduled to work on 25 December (Christmas Day). What are you owed?
- For the hours worked on Christmas Day, you receive 200% of your normal hourly rate.
- If the agency opts for a day off instead of the premium, you must receive a free day within 6 weeks.
- If neither is provided, file a complaint with the agency or the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP).
Where to Get Help
- Nexflow – contact your agency coordinator for any HR questions.
- National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) – free helpline: 801 002 006, website: www.pip.gov.pl. Complaints can be submitted anonymously.
- Labour court – for serious violations you can pursue your rights in court. Most labour claims carry no court fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a temporary worker from Ukraine have the same holiday rights as a Polish citizen?
Yes. The Polish Labour Code applies to all workers regardless of citizenship or work permit type.
What about Orthodox Easter or other religious holidays?
Polish law does not grant extra days off on religious grounds. However, you can apply for annual or unpaid leave on your religious holiday.
If 1 May and 3 May are both holidays, can I take 2 May off too?
2 May is a normal working day. You can apply for annual leave — many employers in Poland agree to grant the day off, creating a long weekend.
Summary
As a temporary worker in Poland you have the full right to 14 paid days off per year on public holidays. If your schedule requires you to work on one of those days, you are owed 200% pay or an additional day off. Know your rights — and contact Nexflow if you need support.