Public Holiday Calendar Guide for Georgia
Georgia’s Labour Code lists public holidays that include civic commemorations, family observances and feasts of the Georgian Orthodox tradition. It also sets rules for work on those holidays and allows the government to designate additional days off.[1]
How Georgia’s Public Holidays Are Defined
The Labour Code sets the nationwide statutory holiday list. It includes New Year, Christmas, Epiphany, Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, national commemorations, Victory Day over Fascism, Independence Day and Orthodox Christian observances. Family Purity and Respect for Parents Day is also on the list.[1]
Easter holidays are movable: the statutory period covers Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, which the Code calls All Souls’ Day. Check the applicable annual calendar for their dates.[1][2]
Orthodox Christianity in the Holiday Calendar
The statutory list includes Christmas, Epiphany and Easter, as well as the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, known as Mariamoba; Mtskhetoba, also called Svetitskhovloba; and St. George’s Day. May 12 is listed as the Day of Georgia as the abode of the Holy Mother, the commemoration of St. Andrew the Apostle and the Day of Hope.[1][2]
These observances are statutory holidays under the Labour Code. The law treats work performed on them as overtime.[1]
Civic and Commemorative Observances
Georgia’s statutory holidays include Independence Day and April 9, which commemorates the adoption of the Act of Restoring Independence, national unity and consent, and those who died for the country’s national integrity. Victory Day over Fascism is listed separately.[1][2]
The calendar also includes Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day. Its statutory list therefore covers civic, family and religious observances.[1][2]
Working on a Public Holiday
Work on a statutory holiday is deemed overtime. The Labour Code requires overtime to be paid at an increased hourly rate, with the amount set by agreement between the parties. The parties may instead agree to an additional proportional rest period as compensation.[1]
An employee may request other rest days instead of the statutory holidays; the arrangement is determined by the employment agreement.[1]
Additional Days Off and Practical Planning
The Government of Georgia may designate additional days off by ordinance. For such a day off, an employer may request that an employee work on the employee’s next rest day instead.[1]
For planning, check the applicable calendar for movable Easter holidays and any government ordinances designating additional days off.[1][2]
Frequently Asked Questions about Holidays in Georgia
Are Georgia’s Easter holidays on the same dates every year?
What happens if an employee works on a statutory holiday?
The work is deemed overtime. The law provides for an increased hourly rate set by agreement, or an additional proportional rest period if the parties agree.[1]
Can an employee request different rest days instead of the listed holidays?
Yes. An employee may request other rest days, with the arrangement determined by the employment agreement.[1]
Can Georgia designate days off beyond the statutory holiday list?
Yes. The Government may designate additional days off by ordinance. Check applicable government measures, as these days are not part of the permanent statutory list.[1]
Sources
- ORGANIC LAW OF GEORGIA – LABOUR CODE OF GEORGIA- Legislative Herald of Georgia (Matsne)
- DIPLOMATIC LIST (Georgian National Holidays section)- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia