Published: May 04 2023
If you operate a business in Hungary, it's essential to be aware of all upcoming holidays and special days that could impact your operations. Certain days require your business to be closed, and special wage supplements may need to be paid to employees working despite holidays. In this article, we'll go over the bank holidays and other special days that will take place in Hungary in 2023.
Bank Holidays
There will be 13 bank holidays celebrated in Hungary in 2023. Some of the significant ones include New Year's Day, the commemoration of the revolution in 1848, Easter, Labor Day, Pentecost, and Christmas holidays. These bank holidays will result in a regular workweek and won't require employees to work on weekends, except for shops, restaurants, and other necessary services.
Exchanged Saturdays and Long Weekends
When a bank holiday falls on either a Tuesday or a Thursday in Hungary, the preceding Monday or the following Friday is used as a rest day to create a long weekend. When this happens, a nearby Saturday will be designated as a working day in exchange for the new rest day. In 2023, there will be no exchanged Saturdays, as holidays will either fall on weekends, Mondays, or Wednesdays.
- 1 January 2023 (Sunday): New Year’s Day
- 15 March (Wednesday): commemoration of the revolution in 1848
- 7 April – 9&10 April (Friday – Monday): 4-day long weekend with Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
- 1 May (Monday): Labor Day
- 28 and 29 May(Sunday and Monday): Pentecost
- *20 August (Sunday): St. Stephen’s Day or the Day of the New Bread
- 23 October (Monday): commemoration of the revolution in 1956
- 1 November (Wednesday): All Hallows’ Day
- 24 December (Sunday): Christmas Eve, “short day”
- 25 – 26 December (Monday – Tuesday): 1st and 2nd day of Christmas
- 31 December (Sunday): New Year’s Eve, “short day”
- 1 January 2024 (Monday): New Year’s Day
Short Days
In Hungary, two special days tied to official holidays - Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. While these days are not themselves bank holidays, their eves, meaning the preceding days, will lead to shops closing early, employees leaving work early, and a public transportation shift to night mode from around 4 p.m. as people get into a festive mood. As both days fall on Sundays, they will most likely not disrupt your normal operations. However, many employees will want to leave early on these days or take them off, so plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Being aware of upcoming bank holidays, exchanged Saturdays, and short days is essential for businesses operating in Hungary. It can affect your budget through wage supplements and your employees' motivation for work, especially on short days. For more information on these holidays, consult your HR specialist, payroll specialist, or accountant to avoid surprises.
Questions & Answers
How many bank holidays are there in Hungary in 2023? There are 13 bank holidays in Hungary in 2023.
What is St. Stephen's Day in Hungary? St. Stephen's Day is a national holiday in Hungary held on August 20th, in honor of the first king of Hungary, St. Stephen I.
What are exchanged Saturdays in Hungary and when do they occur? Exchanged Saturdays are working days in exchange for a rest day on a four-day-long weekend created by a bank holiday falling on a Tuesday or a Thursday. In 2023 there will be no exchanged Saturdays as bank holidays fall on weekends, Mondays, or Wednesdays.
What are short days in Hungary and when do they occur? Short days are the days preceding holidays when some businesses and public transportation close early. In Hungary, they occur on Christmas Eve (December 24th) and New Year's Eve (December 31st).
Do employees get special wage supplements for working on bank holidays in Hungary? Yes, employers in Hungary are required by law to pay special wage supplements to employees who work on bank holidays.
Do shops and restaurants have different opening hours on bank holidays in Hungary? Yes, shops, restaurants, and other businesses may have different opening hours on bank holidays in Hungary.
What should businesses in Hungary keep in mind when planning workload during the holiday season? Businesses in Hungary should keep in mind that many employees prefer taking vacation days before Christmas and between Christmas and New Year, which may affect their plans. They should also consult their HR specialist, payroll specialist, or accountant to avoid any surprises regarding wage supplements and employee motivation on short days.