Planning your year in Hungary requires knowing the official Hungary bank holidays. This guide provides the complete list of bank holidays in Hungary, helping you map out long weekends in Hungary and manage your vacation planning.
Public Holidays in Hungary: Upcoming Dates
Here are the official dates for Hungary bank holidays for the next three years. This Hungarian public holidays calendar is essential for both personal and professional planning.
Hungary Bank Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| Jan 2 | Friday | New Year Holiday (Rest Day) |
| Mar 15 | Sunday | 1848 Revolution Memorial Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 5 | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labor Day |
| May 24 | Sunday | Whit Sunday (Pentecost) |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Aug 20 | Thursday | St. Stephen’s Day / Day of the New Bread |
| Oct 23 | Friday | 1956 Revolution Memorial Day |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | All Saints’ Day |
| Dec 24 | Thursday | Christmas Eve (Rest Day) |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Second Day of Christmas |
Hungary Bank Holidays 2027
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| Mar 15 | Monday | 1848 Revolution Memorial Day |
| Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Mar 28 | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| Mar 29 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labor Day |
| May 16 | Sunday | Whit Sunday (Pentecost) |
| May 17 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Aug 20 | Friday | St. Stephen’s Day / Day of the New Bread |
| Oct 23 | Saturday | 1956 Revolution Memorial Day |
| Nov 1 | Monday | All Saints’ Day |
| Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Eve (Rest Day) |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | Second Day of Christmas |
Read More: England Bank Holidays
Hungary Bank Holidays 2028
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Saturday | New Year’s Day |
| Mar 15 | Wednesday | 1848 Revolution Memorial Day |
| Apr 14 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 16 | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| Apr 17 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Monday | Labor Day |
| Jun 4 | Sunday | Whit Sunday (Pentecost) |
| Jun 5 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Aug 20 | Sunday | St. Stephen’s Day / Day of the New Bread |
| Oct 23 | Monday | 1956 Revolution Memorial Day |
| Nov 1 | Wednesday | All Saints’ Day |
| Dec 24 | Sunday | Christmas Eve (Rest Day) |
| Dec 25 | Monday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Tuesday | Second Day of Christmas |
Please note: Dates for 2027 and 2028 are projections based on the standard holiday schedule. Always confirm with official sources. When a holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is typically a rest day.
Understanding “Long Weekends” and “Working Saturdays” in Hungary
One of the most distinctive features of the Hungarian calendar is the official creation of long weekends in Hungary. If a national holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, the government often declares the adjacent Monday or Friday a rest day to create a four-day break.
To compensate for this extra day off, a Saturday is designated as an extra workday, or working Saturday, in Hungary. This working day exchange is a formal compensation day, meaning it is treated as a standard working Friday for contracts, opening hours, and public transport timetables. For business operations, this means planning employee schedules and staffing solutions well in advance to accommodate these shifted workdays.
Special “Short Days”: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
While not official public holidays in Hungary, Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) are treated uniquely as “short days.”
In practice, opening hours are severely reduced. Most businesses close by early afternoon, and the public transport timetable switches to a holiday or night schedule around 4 p.m. It’s a day for final preparations and family gatherings. For employers, it’s wise to plan for a significantly reduced workforce and productivity, making it a key consideration for end-of-year vacation planning and staffing solutions.
Also Read: Romania Bank Holidays
FAQs
Q1. Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Hungary?
No, Christmas Eve is not an official public holiday. However, it is a legally designated rest day, which means most people do not work, and businesses operate on greatly reduced opening hours.
Q2. Do I Get Paid Extra for Working on a Public Holiday?
Yes, you are entitled to a wage supplement, typically 100% or more of your base pay, for working on an official national holiday. This is a key point of HR compliance in Hungary.
Q3. How Do Working Saturdays Affect My Contract?
A working Saturday is legally a standard workday. Your contract and standard wage apply; however, the day is treated as a Friday for operational purposes, such as opening hours and transport schedules.
Q4. What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
If a national holiday, such as Whit Sunday or All Saints’ Day, falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is generally observed on that day. There is not always an automatic weekday replacement, but it may create a long weekend if connected to other rest day rules.
Q5. Are shops and restaurants closed on public holidays?
On major national holiday days, most shops, supermarkets, and banks are closed. Some restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions in city centers may remain open, but always check specific opening hours in advance.
Navigating the Hungary bank holidays is key to smooth personal and professional planning. By understanding the official dates, the system of long weekends and working Saturdays, and the unique status of “short days,” you can effectively organise travel, manage a business, and ensure HR compliance.
Use this guide as your reference for the complete bank holidays in Hungary and insightful tips for the years ahead.
For the most authoritative and legally binding information, always refer to official Hungarian government publications. A reliable starting point for historical and regulatory context is the relevant Wikipedia page on public holidays in Hungary.