2025 Holidays - Denmark

Denmark Public Holiday Observance Rules

1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday

- Observed on the Calendar Date: In Denmark, public holidays are fixed by date. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on that Sunday. There is no statutory provision for transferring the holiday to Monday.

- Employer Discretion: Although the official practice is to observe the holiday on its actual date, some employers—based on individual or collective agreements—may choose to grant an additional day off in lieu. This, however, is not mandated by national law.

- Holiday Work Compensation: Employees who work on a public holiday (regardless of whether it falls on a weekend or a weekday) are typically entitled to overtime pay or compensatory time off, as set forth by applicable labor laws and collective agreements.

2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday

- Observed on the Calendar Date: Similarly, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on that day without an automatic shift to another weekday.

- No Automatic Shift: There is no statutory mechanism that moves a Saturday holiday to a weekday.

- Compensation: Should employees work on a Saturday holiday, they are entitled to the relevant overtime or compensatory benefits according to Danish labor standards.

3. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)

- No Statutory Bridging: Denmark does not have a legal requirement to create extra “bridge” days to extend a holiday into a long weekend.

- Employer or Collective Agreements: Any additional days off granted to create long weekends are typically provided through employer policies or collective agreements and are not part of the statutory framework.

4. Special Cases for Public Holidays

- Fixed Public Holidays: Major Danish public holidays—such as New Year’s Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Great Prayer Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and Second Christmas Day—are observed on their fixed calendar dates.

- Local or Sectoral Variations: In some sectors or regions, additional leave or alternative arrangements may be provided based on specific agreements; however, the official observance remains on the fixed dates.

5. Additional Notes

- Official Holiday Calendar: The Danish government publishes an official holiday calendar each year, which lists the dates of all public holidays.

- Legal Framework: Observance of public holidays is governed by national labor law and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

- Employer Flexibility: While the statutory holidays are fixed by law, employers may choose to offer extra benefits or substitute days off based on internal policies or negotiated contracts.