People like public holidays. These are days when they don’t have to go to work or get extra pay for their work. In Poland, one more holiday will be added this April. From April 2026 it will celebrate the Day of War Invalids. However, it may come as a surprise to Poles that they will not be taking another day off. It is not automatic that a public holiday is also a day off work.

Family time

Personally, I welcome public holidays. It is another time, apart from the weekend, that I can spend with my family. We can go on a trip or enjoy a day in the garden or entertaining in the house. My older daughter is happy to have a longer day off from school and looks forward to spending time together. She is already looking forward to Easter which will bring a longer day off. “I’m only going to kindergarten twice more and then we have a day off?” She asked after brushing her teeth, wanting to point to the number of days she will be home on her fingers. If she heard that she would be home for one more unexpected day this month, she would be happy. Only that wasn’t going to be the case. A new national holiday is not a day off.

The new public holiday

The national holiday, which refers to war invalids, was established by law and signed by the president of the country. It only went into effect on March 4, 2026, and it will be premiering in just a few days. The national holiday is meant to commemorate those who suffered permanent damage to their health as a result of the war. According to the lawmakers, the purpose is to pay respect to the victims and recognise their contribution in the fight for Poland’s freedom and security.

The date chosen is, of course, not accidental. It refers to the first congress of the United War Invalids Association of the Republic of Poland in 1919. It was then that the organisation representing those wounded in the fight for independence began its activities. After all, public holidays are never chosen at random. They are always meant to remind us of a historical event.

━━ ( Source: Stijn Swinnen /  Unsplash+ )

Free? No.

A new public holiday does not mean that employees have time off. The law does not change the regulations governing public holidays. Thus, 12 April will remain a normal working day. Unfortunately, the number of days off will not increase. Nevertheless, a new date will appear in the list of public holidays.

It is stressed that the purpose of the regulation is not to change the organisation of working time, but to formally recognise commemorative events that previously had a communal and historical character. As the law states, “In recognition of the merits and sacrifices of those who have suffered permanent impairment of health as a result of war, with respect for their suffering, courage and devotion to their country.”

What is the goal?

The establishment of War Invalids Day aims to raise awareness of the plight of those who have lost their health as a result of military operations. According to Polish lawmakers, this is a particularly important group that requires constant attention from society. Furthermore, the new national holiday is intended to remind the state of its responsibility towards citizens who defended the country and suffered serious health consequences.

Who is a war disabled person

According to the definition of the Polish law on the security of war and military invalids and their families, it is a person whose incapacity for work arose in connection with a war conflict, although this does not apply exclusively to combat. Soldiers, partisans, as well as civilians, e. g. victims of repression, forced labourers, can also obtain the status of war invalids if they suffered damage to their health in captivity.

Timing of the public holiday

The new public holiday in Poland was approved at a very uncertain time, when war has been raging in neighbouring Ukraine for several years. On top of that, there have been other military conflicts around the world. So, unfortunately, there are more war heroes at the moment, although not in Poland itself.