Sejm adopted the act of 27 November 2024, regarding making Christmas Eve a day off from work. This decision poses a number of challenges for Polish entrepreneurs. Introducing such a change in labour law means additional obligations for employers. So what exactly does an additional day off mean for companies?
The act adopted on 27 November 2024 by the Sejm and submitted for work in the Senate specifies two key changes:
Both changes will come into effect next year. The act is to enter into force on 1 February 2025.
Christmas Eve is to be a day off from 2025. For employers, this means a number of changes and challenges, including:
However, introducing an additional public holiday may also bring some positive changes. Potential benefits for entrepreneurs include:
The additional day off next year will also affect working hours. In 2025, there will be 250 working days, which gives 2,000 hours to work. There will be 13 days off, and 4 of them will fall on Saturday or Sunday. Let us recall that if a statutory day off falls on Saturday, then the employer gives the employees that day off on another working day in the given year.
It is also worth emphasizing that if the act establishing Christmas Eve as a day off from work comes into force, in 2025 there will be 249 working days, and the number of public holidays will increase by this one additional day (it will be 14 days in total).
The table below shows public holidays in 2025 (including Christmas Eve)
Statutory holidays – 2025 | ||
Date | Name of the holiday | Day of the week |
January 1 | New year | Wednesday |
January 6 | Epiphany | Monday |
April 20 | Easter | Sunday |
April 21 | Easter Monday | Monday |
May 1 | Labour Day | Thursday |
May 3 | May 3rd Constitution Day | Saturday |
June 8 | Pentecost | Sunday |
June 19 | Corpus Christi | Thursday |
August 15 | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Friday |
November 1 | All Saints’ Day | Saturday |
November 11 | Independence Day | Tuesday |
December 24 (not confirmed yet) | Christmas Eve | Wednesday |
December 25 | Christmas | Thursday |
December 26 | Christmas | Friday |
Check how to calculate working time, read our article: Working time in 2025: practical tips for employers
The introduction of Christmas Eve as a day off from work is undoubtedly a step towards improving the quality of life of employees, but also a big challenge for employers. Entrepreneurs should be prepared for these challenges in advance. Proper planning and adjustment to the new regulations will allow to minimize the negative effects of this change and take advantage of the opportunities related to it.
Entrepreneurs should primarily closely monitor further legislative work on the bill, so that they can prepare for the changes well in advance. It is also worth considering consulting experts who will help assess the potential effects of introducing the new regulation on a specific company. Stay up to date. Take advantage of our comprehensive services: HR and payroll outsourcing
At Contract Administration, we know how important working time is and how to calculate and settle it correctly. We also know how important automatic working time settlement (RCP System) is these days in carrying out these activities.
Asistar platform. Asistar is also an E-File, i.e. full digitalization of employee documents.
Hrubieszowska 2
01-209 Warsaw
Poland
+48 22 295 32 00
contact@ca-staff.eu
NIP: 526-001-29-88, KRS: 0000028831,
REGON: 012548510. The District Court for the
capital city of Warsaw, XIII Commercial Division