Planning a trip or managing business in Romania? Understanding the public and bank holidays in Romania is your first step. This guide provides the complete list of official holidays Romania recognizes, from major Orthodox holidays to national celebrations. For UK travelers, comparing these European bank holidays to UK bank holidays is key for planning those perfect Romania holiday packages.
Let’s dive into the Romanian festivity calendar!
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in Romania?
A very common and important question! Romania has 15 official public holidays each year, as established by the Romanian labor code. This is significantly more than the 8 standard UK bank holidays, meaning more opportunities for long weekends and cultural experiences. On these non-working days in Romania, banks, public offices, and most shops are closed.
Public Holidays in Romania: Official List
Here is the full calendar for your planning. Mark these upcoming Romania bank holidays in your diary!
Romania Bank Holidays for 2026
Looking further ahead? Here are the Romanian bank holidays for 2026.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Local Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Anul Nou |
| Jan 2 | Friday | Day after New Year’s Day | Anul Nou |
| Jan 6 | Tuesday | Epiphany | Bobotează |
| Jan 7 | Wednesday | St. John the Baptist | Sfântul Ion |
| Jan 24 | Saturday | Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities | Unirea Principatelor Române |
| Apr 10 | Friday | Good Friday | Vinerea Mare |
| Apr 12 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Paștele |
| Apr 13 | Monday | Easter Monday | Paștele |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day | Ziua Muncii |
| Jun 1 | Wednesday | Children’s Day | Ziua Copilului |
| May 24 | Sunday | Pentecost | Rusaliile |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday | Rusaliile |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Dormition of the Theotokos | Adormirea Maicii Domnului |
| Nov 30 | Monday | St. Andrew’s Day | Sfântul Andrei |
| Dec 1 | Tuesday | National Day | Ziua Națională |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Crăciunul |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | St. Stephen’s Day | Crăciunul |
Romania Bank Holidays for 2027
Here is the projected list of public holidays for 2027. Please note that the official dates for the movable Orthodox holidays (like Easter) are typically confirmed by the Romanian Orthodox Church closer to the date, but these are the calculated projections.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Local Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | Anul Nou |
| Jan 2 | Saturday | Day after New Year’s Day | Anul Nou |
| Jan 6 | Wednesday | Epiphany | Bobotează |
| Jan 7 | Thursday | St. John the Baptist | Sfântul Ion |
| Jan 24 | Sunday | Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities | Unirea Principatelor Române |
| Apr 30 | Friday | Good Friday | Vinerea Mare |
| May 2 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Paștele |
| May 3 | Monday | Easter Monday | Paștele |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labour Day | Ziua Muncii |
| Jun 1 | Tuesday | Children’s Day | Ziua Copilului |
| Jun 20 | Sunday | Pentecost | Rusaliile |
| Jun 21 | Monday | Whit Monday | Rusaliile |
| Aug 15 | Sunday | Dormition of the Theotokos | Adormirea Maicii Domnului |
| Nov 30 | Tuesday | St. Andrew’s Day | Sfântul Andrei |
| Dec 1 | Wednesday | National Day | Ziua Națională |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | Crăciunul |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | St. Stephen’s Day | Crăciunul |
Note: When a holiday falls on a weekend (e.g., Jan 24, Aug 15, Dec 25 & 26 in 2027), it is generally observed on that calendar day, and a substitute day off is not typically given.
Read More: Scottish Bank Holidays
Romania Bank Holidays for 2028
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Local Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Saturday | New Year’s Day | Anul Nou |
| Jan 2 | Sunday | Day after New Year’s Day | Anul Nou |
| Jan 6 | Thursday | Epiphany | Bobotează |
| Jan 7 | Friday | St. John the Baptist | Sfântul Ion |
| Jan 24 | Monday | Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities | Unirea Principatelor Române |
| Apr 14 | Friday | Good Friday | Vinerea Mare |
| Apr 16 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Paștele |
| Apr 17 | Monday | Easter Monday | Paștele |
| May 1 | Monday | Labour Day | Ziua Muncii |
| Jun 1 | Thursday | Children’s Day | Ziua Copilului |
| Jun 4 | Sunday | Pentecost | Rusaliile |
| Jun 5 | Monday | Whit Monday | Rusaliile |
| Aug 15 | Tuesday | Dormition of the Theotokos | Adormirea Maicii Domnului |
| Nov 30 | Thursday | St. Andrew’s Day | Sfântul Andrei |
| Dec 1 | Friday | National Day | Ziua Națională |
| Dec 25 | Monday | Christmas Day | Crăciunul |
| Dec 26 | Tuesday | St. Stephen’s Day | Crăciunul |
Romanian Holidays and Traditions: A Cultural Deep Dive
Romanian holidays are a vibrant tapestry of faith, history, and folklore. Here’s what makes them special:
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The Day of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities (Jan 24):Â This day marks the 1859 union of Moldavia and Wallachia, a pivotal moment in creating modern Romania. Expect cultural speeches and exhibitions.
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Orthodox Easter: The most important religious Orthodox holiday. Traditions include painting eggs (especially in red), baking ‘pască’ cake, and midnight church services filled with candlelight.
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Christmas (Crăciunul): A magical time! Caroling is a big tradition, with groups called ‘colindători’ visiting homes. Festive meals feature pork sausages, ‘sarmale’ (cabbage rolls), and ‘cozonac’ (sweet bread).
Planning Your Trip: Romania Holiday Packages from the UK
Knowing the holiday calendar is crucial for travel. While holidays offer a unique cultural glimpse, they also mean closures and busy transport. Many UK tour operators offer fantastic Romania holiday packages that handle logistics, especially around busy periods like Easter and Christmas. It’s a stress-free way to experience the country’s wonders.
Key Things to Know for Travellers and Businesses
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Closures:Â On public holidays, expect banks, government offices, and many shops to be closed. Some supermarkets in cities may have shorter hours.
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Transport:Â Public transport typically operates on a Sunday schedule. Book trains and long-distance buses well in advance for holiday weekends.
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Working Hours in Romania:Â Standard business hours are 9:00/10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays.
Also Read: Renfrewshire School Holidays
Romania Bank Holidays vs. UK Bank Holidays: A Quick Comparison
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Number: Romania wins on quantity! With 15 days off compared to the UK’s 8-10, Romanians enjoy more long weekends.
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Nature: Romanian holidays are heavily influenced by the Orthodox Christian faith and national history. UK holidays have a mix of Christian and secular origins.
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Movable Dates: Both countries have movable holidays like Easter and Pentecost, but remember the dates often differ due to the Orthodox calendar.
For more details, check out the Wikipedia page for Romania holidays.
FAQs
Q1. How many public holidays does Romania have?
Romania has 15 official public holidays each year, as set by the national labour code.
Q2. Are shops closed on public holidays in Romania?
Yes, most shops, supermarkets, banks, and public offices are closed on national holidays. Some small convenience stores in tourist areas or gas stations may remain open.
Q3. What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
Unlike some countries, Romania does not typically grant an automatic substitute weekday off (“day in lieu”) when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Q4. When is the National Day of Romania?
Romania’s National Day, known as Great Union Day, is celebrated every year on December 1st.
Q5. Why are Easter dates different in Romania?
Romania follows the Orthodox Christian calendar to calculate Easter, which often results in a different date (usually one or more weeks later) than the Western Easter celebrated in the UK and other countries.
We hope this guide to bank holidays in Romania helps you plan perfectly. Bookmark this page on Calendar Times UK for all your international calendar needs
