Planning your year ahead requires knowing the official public holidays in Austria for 2026. Whether you’re scheduling business meetings, booking travel, or organizing family events, understanding which days are nationally recognized holidays helps you make informed decisions. This comprehensive guide covers all confirmed nationwide public holidays in Austria for 2026, ensuring you can plan effectively throughout the year.
Official National Public Holidays in Austria 2026
Austria observes 13 official national public holidays in 2026, recognized throughout all federal states. Consequently, most businesses, government offices, and banks close on these days. However, it’s important to note that regional holidays exist in specific Austrian states, though they are not included in this nationwide list.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| January 6 | Tuesday | Epiphany |
| April 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labor Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| June 4 | Thursday | Corpus Christi |
| August 15 | Saturday | Assumption of Mary |
| October 26 | Monday | National Day |
| November 1 | Sunday | All Saints’ Day |
| December 8 | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Saturday | St. Stephen’s Day |
Understanding Austria’s Public Holiday System
The Federal Act Regulating Weekly Rest Periods and Public Holidays of 2010 governs all national holidays in Austria. This legislation ensures that employees receive proper compensation when working on public holidays and establishes clear guidelines for businesses. Moreover, Austrian law specifically protects certain holidays, such as December 8, where employees cannot be required to work without their consent.
Austria’s holiday calendar reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage, meanwhile blending religious traditions with civic celebrations. The majority of national holidays have Christian origins, including Easter Monday, Ascension Day, and Christmas celebrations. On the other hand, National Day commemorates Austria’s declaration of permanent neutrality in 1955, representing the country’s contemporary identity.
Key Planning Tips for 2026
Long Weekends and Bridge Days
Several holidays in 2026 create excellent opportunities for extended breaks. Specifically, Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 14, and Corpus Christi occurs on Thursday, June 4. Austrians often take “Fenstertag” (bridge days) on the Fridays following these Thursday holidays, thereby creating four-day weekends. Additionally, October 26 (National Day) falls on a Monday, naturally providing a three-day weekend.
If you need help timing your activities around these holidays, our timer tools can assist with precise scheduling for meetings and events.
Weekend Holiday Considerations
Three national holidays fall on weekends in 2026: Assumption of Mary (Saturday, August 15), All Saints’ Day (Sunday, November 1), and St. Stephen’s Day (Saturday, December 26). Unlike some countries, Austria does not transfer weekend holidays to the following Monday. Therefore, if a public holiday occurs on Saturday or Sunday, no substitute weekday holiday is granted.
Business and Travel Impact
Most retail establishments, banks, and government offices close completely on national public holidays. However, essential services such as hospitals, public transportation, and some tourist attractions maintain limited operations. Restaurants in major cities typically remain open, although they may operate with reduced hours. Travelers should verify opening hours in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly in smaller towns where closures are more comprehensive.
When planning international activities or coordinating across time zones, you can check current local times around the world to ensure smooth scheduling.
Notable Holidays Throughout 2026
New Year’s Day (January 1)
Austria welcomes 2026 with New Year’s Day falling on Thursday, allowing many workers to enjoy an extended holiday period when combined with the preceding New Year’s Eve celebrations. Consequently, most businesses remain closed throughout this period.
Easter and Spring Celebrations
Easter Monday arrives on April 6, marking the conclusion of Holy Week. This holiday, combined with the preceding Easter Sunday, provides families time for traditional celebrations. Furthermore, the spring season brings additional holidays including Ascension Day and Whit Monday, both recognized nationwide.
Summer Holidays
The summer period features only one national holiday: Assumption of Mary on August 15. Although this falls on Saturday, it remains an important religious observance throughout Austria.
Autumn and National Day
National Day on October 26 holds special significance as it commemorates Austria’s permanent neutrality declared in 1955. Vienna hosts military ceremonies, government building tours, and various cultural events. Meanwhile, All Saints’ Day follows on November 1, traditionally a time for families to visit cemeteries and honor deceased relatives.
Christmas Season
The Christmas period encompasses December 8 (Immaculate Conception), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26 (St. Stephen’s Day). These holidays create an extended festive season, with many Austrians taking vacation time between Christmas and New Year’s to enjoy the winter celebrations.
Differences from Regional Holidays
While this guide focuses exclusively on nationwide holidays, several Austrian states observe additional regional holidays. For instance, Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg celebrate Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19. Similarly, Lower Austria and Vienna observe Saint Leopold’s Day on November 15. These regional holidays apply only within specific states and do not affect the rest of the country.
For more comprehensive planning guides covering various time-related topics, visit our resource guide section for additional helpful information.
Legal Rights and Holiday Pay
Austrian labor law guarantees employees the right to paid time off on all national public holidays that fall on regular working days. If employees work on a public holiday by choice or necessity, they receive additional holiday pay as compensation. Chapter 2, Section 8 of the Federal Act specifically addresses these entitlements, ensuring workers receive fair treatment regardless of which industry they serve.
Conclusion
Understanding Austria’s 13 national public holidays for 2026 enables better planning for both personal and professional commitments. From New Year’s Day to St. Stephen’s Day, these holidays reflect Austria’s cultural traditions while providing opportunities for rest and celebration. Whether you’re scheduling business meetings, booking travel, or simply organizing your calendar, having this comprehensive list ensures you can plan effectively throughout the year.
Remember to bookmark this page and check back regularly, as we update our holiday information to reflect any official changes. For more information about public holidays and time-related resources, visit our main public holidays homepage where you’ll find calendars, timers, and planning tools to help you stay organized throughout 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in Austria in 2026?
Austria recognizes 13 official national holidays in 2026: New Year’s Day (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Easter Monday (April 6), Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day (May 14), Whit Monday (May 25), Corpus Christi (June 4), Assumption of Mary (August 15), National Day (October 26), All Saints’ Day (November 1), Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas Day (December 25), and St. Stephen’s Day (December 26). These holidays are observed throughout all Austrian federal states, and most businesses, banks, and government offices close on these days.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
Several holidays in 2026 provide opportunities for extended breaks. Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 14, and Corpus Christi occurs on Thursday, June 4, allowing employees to take bridge days on the following Fridays for four-day weekends. National Day on October 26 falls on Monday, creating a natural three-day weekend. Additionally, New Year’s Day falls on Thursday, January 1, which many combine with the surrounding days for an extended New Year celebration.
Are any holidays subject to change?
The fixed-date holidays in Austria (those not dependent on Easter calculations) rarely change, as they are established by federal law. However, moveable holidays like Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, and Corpus Christi vary each year based on the Easter date calculation. For 2026, all dates listed are confirmed according to official Austrian government sources and the liturgical calendar. While extremely rare, the government could theoretically modify holiday observances through legislative action, though no such changes are anticipated for 2026.
Do regional holidays apply to the entire country?
No, regional holidays apply only within specific Austrian states and are not observed nationwide. For example, Saint Joseph’s Day (March 19) is celebrated in Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg, while Saint Leopold’s Day (November 15) is observed only in Lower Austria and Vienna. This guide focuses exclusively on the 13 national holidays recognized throughout all of Austria, ensuring the information applies regardless of which state you’re in.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?
When a public holiday falls on a weekend in Austria, it is not transferred to the following Monday as in some other countries. In 2026, three holidays fall on weekends: Assumption of Mary (Saturday, August 15), All Saints’ Day (Sunday, November 1), and St. Stephen’s Day (Saturday, December 26). Employees do not receive substitute weekday holidays for these occasions. The holiday is simply observed on its actual date, regardless of the day of the week.
Are businesses and services open on public holidays?
Most businesses, including retail stores, banks, and government offices, close completely on national public holidays in Austria. However, essential services such as hospitals, emergency services, and public transportation continue operating, often with reduced schedules. Restaurants and tourist attractions in major cities typically remain open, though with limited hours. It’s advisable to check specific opening hours in advance, especially in smaller towns where closures tend to be more comprehensive during public holidays.