Why do 1 January, 1 May and 25 December shut so much of Europe?

New Year’s Day, May Day and Christmas Day are public holidays in almost every European nation. Some countries add a second day. Boxing Day (26 December) is a holiday in the United Kingdom. Easter Monday is a holiday in most states but not the Netherlands. Always check the specific nation.

How does Easter change European public holidays?

Easter is the most important moveable holiday in Europe. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. In 2026 Easter Sunday is 5 April.

Easter affects travel directly.

Good Friday (2 April 2026) is a public holiday in Germany, Norway and the UK but not in France, Italy or Spain. Easter Monday (6 April 2026) is a public holiday in most of Europe except the Netherlands and a handful of others. Ascension Day (39 days after Easter Sunday) and Whit Monday (50 days after Easter) are public holidays in several nations, mainly in Central and Northern Europe.

Holiday Date 2026 Where observed (examples) Effect on travel
Good Friday 2 April Germany, Norway, UK, Austria, Switzerland Banks closed, limited shopping
Easter Sunday 5 April All Europe Almost everything closed
Easter Monday 6 April Most of Europe Shops closed in many nations
Ascension Day 14 May Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, France Banks closed, shops open in some regions
Whit Monday 24 May Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Denmark Similar to Easter Monday

Which national days close offices?

Every nation has its own national day. These are public holidays only in that state.

  • France: 14 July (Bastille Day)
  • Germany: 3 October (Day of German Unity)
  • Italy: 2 June (Republic Day)
  • Spain: 12 October (Hispanic Day)
  • United Kingdom: no single national day; each constituent nation has its own (St George’s Day in England, St Andrew’s in Scotland)

National days often cause road closures, parades and reduced public transport. Plan around them.

How do European public holidays change opening hours and transport?

On a public holiday:

  • Banks close. Many also shut on the afternoon before.
  • Government offices close. No passport, visa or registration services.
  • Shops close in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and most of Scandinavia. They open in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and parts of southern Europe with reduced hours.
  • Public transport runs on a Sunday schedule. Less frequent. Sometimes nonexistent outside major cities.
  • Museums and attractions often close on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Check individual websites.

For a detailed breakdown by nation, see European Business Hours by Country.

Do European public holidays vary by region?

Yes. Public holidays can vary inside a single state.

  • Germany: each of the 16 states sets its own holidays. Epiphany (6 January) is a holiday only in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Assumption Day (15 August) is a holiday only in parts of Bavaria and Saarland.
  • Switzerland: cantons set their own holidays. 1 August (Swiss National Day) is the only federal holiday.
  • Spain: regional holidays vary by autonomous community. 9 October is a holiday only in Valencia.
  • United Kingdom: bank holidays differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The early May bank holiday is the first Monday in May in England, Scotland and Wales, but the second Monday in May in Northern Ireland.
  • Italy: each region has its own patron saint day (25 April in Venice, 3 February in Bologna).

Always check the regional calendar, not just the national one.

Planning travel around European public holidays

Travel during a break if you want quiet cities. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are very quiet in most of Europe. Museums and many restaurants close, but hotels are often cheaper.

Avoid travel on the first and last days of long weekends. The Friday before Easter Monday and the Sunday after Ascension Day are heavy travel days in nations that observe those holidays.

Book accommodation and transport early for Easter and Christmas. These are peak domestic travel periods in most of Europe.

Check the date of Ascension and Whit Monday. In 2026, Ascension Day is 14 May and Whit Monday is 24 May. Both are public holidays in several nations, meaning extended weekends and crowded roads.

Use the country clock pages to verify exact dates for each nation. See the Countries page for a list.