New Year’s Day in Türkiye
New Year’s Day falls on January 1 and is a nationwide general holiday in Türkiye. Its fixed date reflects the country’s adoption of the international civil calendar in 1925, which took effect in 1926.[1][2]
A fixed legal holiday
Türkiye’s Law No. 2429 lists January 1 as the New Year holiday and classifies it as a general holiday. The law also says that public offices and institutions close on general holidays, subject to the rules for organizations whose work must continue.[1]
The statute distinguishes New Year’s Day from the country’s national and religious holidays. It does not set out a special New Year ceremony; its provision for a state ceremony applies to Republic Day on October 29.[1]
A date set by calendar reform
The date has a specific place in Türkiye’s civil calendar history. A law passed on December 26, 1925 adopted the Gregorian calendar in place of the Hijri and Rumi calendars for official use, beginning January 1, 1926. The Ministry of National Education describes the change as a way to reduce confusion in state affairs.[2]
That reform made January 1 the start of the official civil year. New Year’s Day is therefore a fixed-date calendar holiday, rather than a date calculated from a religious calendar.[1][2]
Work, pay and services
A general holiday does not mean every workplace must stop operating. The Ministry of Labour says work on a national or general holiday can depend on the employment contract or collective agreement; where these do not address it, an employer needs the worker’s prior written consent to require work. An employee who works is entitled to an additional day’s pay for that holiday.[3]
The law expressly closes public offices and institutions, with exceptions for organizations that must provide continuous service. It makes closure of private businesses compulsory for October 29, but does not impose that same requirement for January 1. Private shop, restaurant and service hours can therefore vary. The Central Bank says its payment systems operate on weekdays except public holidays, while its FAST service is available around the clock.[1][4]
Frequently asked questions
Is January 1 a public holiday in Türkiye?
Yes. Law No. 2429 identifies January 1 as the New Year holiday and a general holiday across Türkiye.[1]
Are public offices and businesses closed?
The law provides for public offices and institutions to close, subject to continuous-service exceptions. Private businesses are not required by this law to close for New Year’s Day, so check a specific shop or service before visiting.[1]
Is there a substitute day if January 1 falls on a weekend?
The law provides that the Saturday after a listed holiday that ends on Friday evening is also a full holiday. It does not set a general Monday substitute-day rule for New Year’s Day.[1]
What happens if someone works on the holiday?
The Ministry of Labour says work arrangements depend on the employment contract or collective agreement; where neither covers it, prior written consent is required. Holiday work earns an additional day’s pay.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Türkiye:
- ULUSAL BAYRAM VE GENEL TATİLLER HAKKINDA KANUN- T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı
- Takvim, Saat Ve Ölçülerde Değişiklik- T.C. Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı
- İş Kanunu- T.C. Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı
- Elektronik Fon Transfer Sistemi - Elektronik Menkul Kıymet Transfer Sistemi - Fonların Anlık ve Sürekli Transferi (FAST) Sistemi- Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası