Constitution Day in Kazakhstan

Date and legal status

The Holidays Act lists Constitution Day as a State holiday on March 15. It says that national and State holidays are non-working days, and that when a day off coincides with a holiday, the next working day becomes a day off.[1]

In a standard Monday-to-Friday workweek, when March 15 falls on Saturday or Sunday, the next working day is Monday. The Constitution describes the day the Constitution was adopted by referendum as Constitution Day; the Holidays Act classifies it as a State holiday.[1][2]

The referendum and the Constitution

The date marks the nationwide referendum that adopted Kazakhstan’s current Constitution. The Constitution states that it entered into force on July 1 of the year it was adopted, replacing the previously adopted Constitution.[2][3]

The Constitution’s preamble speaks of human rights and freedoms, national unity, solidarity, and interethnic and interfaith harmony. These constitutional principles give the holiday its connection to Kazakhstan’s civic and legal life.[2][3]

How the day is observed

Kazakhstan’s Holidays Act says State holidays are devoted to events of social and political importance and are traditionally celebrated by citizens. It allows official events to accompany State holidays, but does not prescribe particular ceremonies, foods, or regional customs for Constitution Day.[1]

Work, services, and travel

The legal designation makes the date a non-working day. The Labour Code nevertheless permits work on holidays with an employee’s written consent or at the employee’s request, and provides for another rest day or holiday pay in specified circumstances.[1][4]

The holiday law does not set opening hours for banks, shops, or public transport. Check with individual branches, businesses, and transport operators before making plans, as services may operate on different schedules.[1][4]