Public Holiday Calendar Guide for Estonia
Estonia’s law sets one national day and a separate list of public holidays and days of national importance. Independence Day is the national day and a day of rest; public holidays include Easter observances, Victory Day, Midsummer Day and the Christmas holidays. Employment law also sets rules for holiday work and shortened working days before four named holidays.[1][2][3]
National Day, Public Holidays and Commemorative Days
The Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act distinguishes the national day, public holidays and days of national importance. Independence Day, on 24 February, is Estonia’s national day and a day of rest. Public holidays and days of rest include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, May Day, Pentecost, Victory Day, Midsummer Day, the Day of Restoration of Independence, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.[1]
The Act lists days of national importance separately. Examples include the Anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty, Mother Tongue Day, Mother’s Day, Child Protection Day, Resistance Day, All Souls’ Day and Father’s Day. These are a distinct legal category from public holidays and days of rest.[1]
Independence Day and Statehood
Independence Day commemorates the Republic of Estonia. The Government Office states that the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia, declaring an independent and democratic republic, was published on 24 February 1918. The Act gives the day its status as the national day and a day of rest.[1][3]
The Day of Restoration of Independence and Victory Day are separate statutory public holidays. Victory Day is observed on 23 June and Midsummer Day on 24 June, so the two holidays fall on consecutive calendar dates.[1]
Christian and Winter Holidays
Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Pentecost are statutory public holidays and days of rest. These observances are movable in the calendar; the Act names the holidays without assigning them fixed dates.[1]
The winter public holidays are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Epiphany and All Souls’ Day appear instead in the Act’s separate list of days of national importance.[1]
Working on a Public Holiday
Under the Employment Contracts Act, an employer must pay twice the wages for working time that falls on a public holiday. The employer and employee may agree to compensate for that work by granting additional time off under terms different from the Act’s standard compensation rules.[2]
The Act provides that statutory annual holiday does not include a national holiday or public holidays. A public holiday that occurs during annual holiday is therefore excluded from the annual-holiday calculation.[2]
Shortened Working Days
An employer must shorten the working day before New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Victory Day and Christmas Eve by three hours. The rule applies to the working day immediately preceding each named holiday.[2]
When arranging work around holidays, employers can account for both the public holidays themselves and the separate rule for the working day before these four holidays.[1][2]
Planning Around Estonia’s Holidays
For calendar planning, distinguish fixed-date holidays, such as Victory Day and Midsummer Day, from movable observances such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Pentecost. The Act provides that holidays and days of national importance are determined according to the Gregorian calendar.[1]
The statutory lists identify the holidays and their dates or observances. Check the relevant calendar when planning around movable holidays, and account for the consecutive Victory Day and Midsummer Day holidays.[1]
Frequently Asked Questions about Holidays in Estonia
Which days are public holidays in Estonia?
The statutory list includes New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, May Day, Pentecost, Victory Day, Midsummer Day, the Day of Restoration of Independence, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Independence Day is separately designated as the national day and a day of rest.[1]
Which working days are shortened before a holiday?
The working day before New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Victory Day and Christmas Eve must be shortened by three hours.[2]
How is work on a public holiday compensated?
The Employment Contracts Act requires twice the wages for work performed during a public holiday. The employer and employee may agree to compensation through additional time off under different terms.[2]
Does a public holiday count as annual leave?
No. The Employment Contracts Act says statutory annual holiday does not include a national holiday or public holidays.[2]
Are all official commemorative days public holidays?
No. The Act lists days of national importance separately from the national day and public holidays that are days of rest.[1]
Sources
- Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act- Riigi Teataja
- Employment Contracts Act- Riigi Teataja
- National holiday- Government Office of Estonia (Riigikantselei)