In Greece, workers will benefit from an additional three-day weekend in early June 2026 due to the Feast of the Holy Spirit, which falls on Monday, June 1. The religious holiday, which honors the Holy Spirit as part of the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Christian tradition, is one of the most notable early-summer breaks in the country’s calendar.
The timing offers employees a short period of rest at the start of the month, adding to a year already featuring several well-placed public holidays that create extended weekends.
Who gets the day off
The Holy Spirit holiday is officially recognized as a public sector holiday in Greece. This means it is observed by government employees and public services. In the private sector, however, it is not a mandatory nationwide holiday.
Private-sector workers may still receive the day off depending on their industry. It is commonly observed in sectors such as banking, local government-related services, and education, or where it is included in collective labor agreements or company regulations.
Other key public holidays in 2026
The 2026 calendar also includes several other important national and religious holidays that shape the country’s working schedule:
- May 1 (Friday) – Labor Day: A mandatory public holiday for both public and private sectors in Greece, creating an early three-day weekend.
- August 15 (Saturday) – Assumption of the Virgin Mary: One of the most important religious holidays in Greece, observed nationwide as a mandatory day off.
- October 28 (Wednesday) – Ohi Day: A national holiday marking Greece’s historic “No” during World War II, also a mandatory day off for all workers.
