Hungary makes 24 December a public holiday starting this year

Hungary’s National Assembly has voted to make 24 December a public holiday, meaning workers will no longer have to make up the day off as previously required. The new measure will take effect this year, giving Hungarians an additional day of rest ahead of Christmas.

No need to compensate for 24 December anymore

The bill was approved on Tuesday with 193 votes in favour, with no votes against or abstentions. The proposal was submitted by three MPs from the Tisza Party in September. Under the new legislation, Christmas Eve will join 25 and 26 December as official public holidays. Previously, 24 December was designated as a rest day, but employees were required to work on 12 December to compensate for it. The newly approved law removes this obligation.

The measure also introduces restrictions on shop opening hours on Christmas Eve. Most retail outlets will be required to close, allowing a wider range of employees in the sector to spend the holiday with their families. However, exemptions will apply to restaurants, accommodation providers, flower shops, confectionery stores, petrol stations and shops located within railway and bus stations or airports. These businesses will still be permitted to operate, writes Telex.

A long-running campaign for Christmas Eve off

The bill’s justification highlights the importance of 24 December in Hungarian society, describing it as an integral part of the Christmas season, traditionally associated with family gatherings, festive preparations and religious and community traditions. The legislation is also intended to provide a predictable legal framework, ensuring that Christmas Eve is a public holiday every year rather than depending on annual adjustments to the working calendar.

The issue has been debated for years. The Jobbik party launched referendum initiatives in both 2024 and 2025, seeking public support for making 24 December a non-working day. The first was rejected by the Curia, Hungary’s supreme court. The second was approved by both the National Election Committee and the Curia, but failed to secure enough signatures.

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Probably the most unanimous vote in the National Assembly since May

The Trade Union of Commercial Employees also repeatedly attempted to gather support for the change, most recently in April this year. The union previously argued that although Christmas Eve was already far from an ordinary working day, hundreds of thousands of people were still required to work. Under the new rules, most employees will be able to stay home, while those required to work may be entitled to double pay.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar welcomed the development, saying the change had finally been achieved after 36 years. Christian Democrat politician Csaba Latorcai, meanwhile, described the decision as a victory for Christian Democrats.