The new year is approaching fast, so here’s a handy guide to Hungary’s public holidays and the workday swaps (i.e. people will work on a Saturday in exchange for the workday preceding a public holiday freed for having a long weekend) in 2026.

Why Public Holidays Matter
Hungary has a range of public holidays each year, most of which are tied to national or religious celebrations. When these fall on weekdays, most employees automatically get the day off. If a holiday falls near a weekend, the government often decrees a workday swap, allowing longer breaks of three or four days straight.

For those who have lived in Hungary for a while, this is familiar territory. For newcomers, however, it can be surprising to find shops and offices closed on certain days.

Official Public Holidays in Hungary 2026
The Hungarian government has designated 11 official public holidays for 2026:

– 1 January, Thursday – New Year’s Day
– 15 March, Sunday – National Holiday
– 3 April, Friday – Good Friday
– 6 April, Monday – Easter Monday
– 1 May, Friday – Labour Day
– 25 May, Monday – Whit Monday
– 20 August, Thursday –  Hungarian National Day (Hungarian Statehood Day)

– 23 October, Friday – 1956 Revolution Memorial Day

– 1 November, Sunday – All Saints’ Day
– 25 December, Friday – Christmas Day
– 26 December, Saturday – Boxing Day

In 2026, both 15 March and 1 November fall on a Sunday, so those holidays will not create long weekends.

Workday Swaps in 2026
There will be three Saturdays in 2026 when people are expected to work:
– 10 January, Saturday (compensated by 2 January, Friday off)
– 8 August, Saturday (compensated by 21 August, Friday off)
– 12 December, Saturday (compensated by 24 December, Thursday off)

Additional days off allowing for long weekends:
– 2 January, Friday – day off in lieu of 10 January
– 21 August, Friday – day off in lieu of 8 August
– 24 December, Thursday – day off in lieu of 12 December

Long Weekends in 2026
– 1–4 January: New Year break
– 3–6 April: Easter break (Good Friday to Easter Monday)
– 20–23 August: Hungarian National Day long weekend (note: 8 August Saturday is a working day)
– 24–27 December: Christmas break

It’s worth remembering that on official public holidays, most offices and shops are closed, while on swap days off, Saturday opening hours generally apply. It’s always a good idea to double-check before heading out.