In Poland, the debate is intensifying over amendments to regulations concerning working hours and statutory public holidays. A petition has been submitted to the Ministry of Family, calling for granting a day off for holidays that fall on a Sunday, which is currently not possible. Simultaneously, parliament is analyzing the status of Good Friday, which may join the list of public holidays, following the precedent set by the earlier regulations concerning Christmas Eve.

Petition for a day off for Sunday holidays

Proposal to amend the Labour Code to enable the recovery of a day off for a holiday falling on a Sunday.

Good Friday as a public holiday

Advanced legislative work on declaring April 3, 2026, a public holiday.

Retail restrictions on March 1

The first Sunday in March is subject to a trade ban; large-scale stores will remain closed.

Upcoming daylight saving time change

Reminder about the switch to daylight saving time and its impact on the body and the economy.

Analysis of current media reports from the turn of February and March 2026 points to significant changes in the Polish work and retail calendar. A key topic is a petition directed to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, which calls for changing the controversial regulations preventing the recovery of a day off for a holiday falling on a Sunday. Currently, Polish labour law provides such compensation only for holidays falling on a Saturday, which, according to the petitioners, violates the sense of social justice. Meanwhile, the Sejm and the Chancellery of the President are considering a draft bill establishing Good Friday as a public holiday. This proposal, planned for implementation as early as 2026 (April 3rd), refers to the recent precedent of introducing a day off for Christmas Eve. Proponents of the change argue it will allow citizens to prepare properly for retreats and religious ceremonies, while opponents point to tangible costs for the national economy. The current system of public holidays in Poland is based on a 1951 act. For decades, this list was stable, and the last major change before the discussions about Good Friday was the reinstatement of the Feast of the Epiphany in 2011.Regarding retail, on March 1, 2026, shops will remain closed, as it is not one of the statutory retail Sundays. Consumers must prepare for the traditional restrictions, with the exception of post offices, petrol stations, and shops run personally by their owners. Furthermore, the media remind of the upcoming switch to daylight saving time, which this year falls exceptionally early, traditionally raising concerns about its impact on biorhythms and worker efficiency. „To kolejna propozycja zwiększająca komfort życia Polaków, po wolnej Wigilii czas na Wielki Piątek.” (This is another proposal increasing the comfort of life for Poles; after a free Christmas Eve, it's time for Good Friday.) — Government representative

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