Q: How many public holidays does Austria have in 2026?

Austria observes 13 nationwide federal public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Easter Monday, State Holiday (1 May), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, National Day (26 October), All Saints' Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day and Saint Stephen's Day. Each of the 9 Bundesländer additionally observes its Landespatron day, but those are observed by schools and the public sector only — not by the private workforce.

Q: When is Easter in Austria in 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April . Ostermontag (Easter Monday) is a federal public holiday on 6 April . Karfreitag (Good Friday, 3 April) is a regular workday in Austria — most employees instead take a Persönlicher Feiertag using a vacation day.

Q: Are public holidays paid in Austria?

Yes. Under the Austrian Arbeitsruhegesetz (ARG) , employees receive full pay ( Feiertagsentgelt ) for federal public holidays that fall on a workday — even if no work is performed. Freelancers, self-employed professionals and Neue Selbständige are not legally entitled to holiday pay, but most clients factor public holidays into project planning.

Q: Do shops open on public holidays in Austria?

Generally no. Austria's Öffnungszeitengesetz requires most retail shops to close on Sundays and federal public holidays. Exceptions include shops at airports, major train stations, petrol stations, bakeries (limited hours) and pharmacies on duty. Tourist regions may grant additional exemptions for specific Sundays.

Question 1

How many public holidays does Austria have in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Austria observes 13 nationwide federal public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Easter Monday, State Holiday (1 May), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, National Day (26 October), All Saints' Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day and Saint Stephen's Day. Each of the 9 Bundesländer additionally observes its Landespatron day, but those are observed by schools and the public sector only — not by the private workforce.

Question 2

Why isn't Karfreitag (Good Friday) a public holiday in Austria?

Accepted Answer

Until 2019, Karfreitag was a public holiday only for members of Evangelical, Methodist and Old Catholic churches. After the European Court of Justice ruled this arrangement discriminatory, the Austrian government abolished the religious-only holiday. Employees can now take a Persönlicher Feiertag (personal day) once a year using a vacation day to observe Good Friday — but it is no longer a federal public holiday for any group.

Question 3

When is Easter in Austria in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April. Ostermontag (Easter Monday) is a federal public holiday on 6 April. Karfreitag (Good Friday, 3 April) is a regular workday in Austria — most employees instead take a Persönlicher Feiertag using a vacation day.

Question 4

How many long weekends does Austria have in 2026?

Accepted Answer

2026 is a strong year for long weekends in Austria. Easter Monday (Mon 6 April), State Holiday (Fri 1 May), Whit Monday (Mon 25 May) and National Day (Mon 26 October) each give three-day weekends. Ascension Day (Thu 14 May) and Corpus Christi (Thu 4 June) both benefit from Friday bridge days for four-day stretches. Christmas Day on Friday 25 December closes the year with a long weekend together with Saint Stephen's Day.

Question 5

Are public holidays paid in Austria?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Austrian Arbeitsruhegesetz (ARG), employees receive full pay (Feiertagsentgelt) for federal public holidays that fall on a workday — even if no work is performed. Freelancers, self-employed professionals and Neue Selbständige are not legally entitled to holiday pay, but most clients factor public holidays into project planning.

Question 6

What is Nationalfeiertag (26 October)?

Accepted Answer

The Austrian National Day commemorates the parliamentary declaration of permanent neutrality on 26 October 1955, signed shortly after the State Treaty restored Austrian sovereignty. The date became an official federal public holiday in 1965. In 2026 it falls on a Monday, creating a three-day weekend.

Question 7

Which Austrian provinces observe a Landespatron day?

Accepted Answer

All 9 Austrian Bundesländer observe a provincial patron saint day, primarily as school and public-sector holidays. Burgenland — Martinstag (11 November). Carinthia and Styria — Josefitag (19 March). Lower Austria and Vienna — Leopolditag (15 November). Upper Austria — Florianitag (4 May). Salzburg — Rupertitag (24 September). Tyrol and Vorarlberg — Herz-Jesu-Fest (12 June 2026). Private-sector employees usually work on these days.

Question 8

Do public holidays that fall on a weekend get an extra day off?

Accepted Answer

No. Austrian labour law does not provide a substitute day off when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. In 2026 this affects Mariä Himmelfahrt (Sat 15 August), Allerheiligen (Sun 1 November) and Stefanitag (Sat 26 December).

Question 9

Do shops open on public holidays in Austria?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Austria's Öffnungszeitengesetz requires most retail shops to close on Sundays and federal public holidays. Exceptions include shops at airports, major train stations, petrol stations, bakeries (limited hours) and pharmacies on duty. Tourist regions may grant additional exemptions for specific Sundays.

Question 10

Why does Austria observe so many Catholic public holidays?

Accepted Answer

Austria has historically been a predominantly Catholic country, and several Catholic feasts — Heilige Drei Könige (6 January), Fronleichnam, Mariä Himmelfahrt (15 August), Allerheiligen (1 November) and Mariä Empfängnis (8 December) — remain federal public holidays. This gives Austria one of the higher counts of public holidays in Europe.

Question 11

What about freelancers and interim managers — do they take holidays off?

Accepted Answer

Freelancers and interim managers in Austria are not legally entitled to paid public holidays — but most factor them into project planning and day rates. On FRATCH, you can browse availability calendars before requesting a freelancer to plan around bridge days, Easter, Ascension and the Christmas break.

Public holidays in Austria 2026

Holiday summary

Every Austrian public holiday in 2026 — explained

New Year's Day

Epiphany

Saint Joseph's Day

Easter Monday

State Holiday

Saint Florian's Day

Ascension Day

Whit Monday

Corpus Christi

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Assumption Day

Saint Rupert's Day

National Day

All Saints' Day

Saint Martin's Day

Saint Leopold's Day

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Christmas Day

Saint Stephen's Day

How many public holidays does Austria have in 2026?

Why isn't Karfreitag (Good Friday) a public holiday in Austria?

When is Easter in Austria in 2026?

How many long weekends does Austria have in 2026?

Are public holidays paid in Austria?

What is Nationalfeiertag (26 October)?

Which Austrian provinces observe a Landespatron day?

Do public holidays that fall on a weekend get an extra day off?

Do shops open on public holidays in Austria?

Why does Austria observe so many Catholic public holidays?

What about freelancers and interim managers — do they take holidays off?

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