2025 Holidays - Czechia

Czechia Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. General Observance

Public holidays in Czechia are established by law and are observed on their fixed calendar dates. The official holidays include, for example, New Year’s Day (January 1), Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Victory Day (May 8), Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (July 5), Czech Statehood Day (September 28), Independent Czechoslovak State Day (October 28), Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (November 17), Christmas Day (December 25), and St. Stephen’s Day (December 26).

2. Weekend Holidays

If a public holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), it is observed on that day. There is no statutory provision for automatically transferring the holiday to the following weekday. Employers are not legally required to grant a substitute day off unless provided for in an employment contract or collective agreement.

3. Work on Public Holidays

Employees required to work on a public holiday are generally entitled to overtime pay or compensatory time off, as stipulated by the Czech Labor Code and any applicable collective agreements.

4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

There is no statutory system in Czechia for automatically creating additional “bridge” days to extend a holiday into a long weekend. Any extra days off granted around public holidays depend on individual employer policies or negotiated agreements.

5. Additional Notes

Employers must follow the official holiday calendar published annually by the government. While public holidays remain fixed on their calendar dates, any additional benefits—such as a substitute day off for a holiday falling on a weekend—are subject to company policy or prior negotiation. For the most up-to-date and precise information, consult the official government-published holiday calendar and the relevant provisions of the Czech Labor Code.