Introduction to Austrian Bank Holidays 2026
Planning a trip to Austria in 2026? Whether you’re skiing in the Alps, exploring Vienna’s historic sites, or attending cultural festivals, understanding bank holidays is essential. In Austria, these are known as ‘gesetzliche Feiertage’ or public holidays, when banks, government offices, shops, and many businesses close. Unlike the UK’s bank holidays, which vary by nation, Austria’s national holidays apply nationwide, with some regional additions.
This guide focuses on 2026 dates, perfect for forward-planning amid the April 2026 context—around Easter, a key holiday period. We’ll list all holidays, highlight regional differences, compare with UK bank holidays, and offer travel tips for Brits. Dates are based on official calendars, with Easter confirmed as Sunday 5 April 2026.
Full List of National Public Holidays in Austria 2026
Austria has 13 national public holidays, plus regional ones. Here’s the complete 2026 list:
New Year’s Day (Neujahr)
- Date: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- Hungover revellers recover as everything shuts. Fireworks lit the night before.
Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)
- Date: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
- Celebrates the Three Kings; processions in some towns, shops closed.
Easter Monday (Ostermontag)
- Date: Monday, 6 April 2026
- Family time post-Easter Sunday (5 April). Chocolate hunts and church services.
Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit)
- Date: Thursday, 1 May 2026
- Protests and picnics; a public day off nationwide.
Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)
- Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
- 39 days after Easter; religious observance, long weekend potential.
Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag)
- Date: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Pentecost; family gatherings, rural festivals.
Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)
- Date: Thursday, 11 June 2026
- Processions with flowers and relics; deeply Catholic tradition.
Assumption of Mary (Mariä Himmelfahrt)
- Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Religious holiday; markets and pilgrimages.
National Day (Nationalfeiertag)
- Date: Tuesday, 26 October 2026
- Marks 1955 neutrality declaration; military parade in Vienna.
All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen)
- Date: Saturday, 1 November 2026
- Cemetery visits; quiet reflection.
Christmas Day (Weihnachtsfeiertag)
- Date: Friday, 25 December 2026
- Family feasts, markets wind down.
St. Stephen’s Day (Stefanitag)
- Date: Saturday, 26 December 2026
- Boxing Day equivalent; leftover turkey and skating.
Note: No substitute days like the UK’s for weekend holidays, so Christmas and St. Stephen’s fall awkwardly in 2026.
Regional Public Holidays in Austria
Austria’s nine states (Bundesländer) add local holidays, varying closures:
- Carinthia (Kärnten): 11 September (regional holiday).
- Burgenland: 1 November already national, but adds Easter Tuesday in some contexts—no, mainly national plus patron saints.
Key additions:
- Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Carinthia: Patron saints like 24 June (St. John).
- Styria: 15 August national, but local feasts.
- Vienna: Mostly national, but check for Ascension processions.
For Salzburg or Innsbruck trips, verify state calendars via austrianholidays.info or official sites. In 2026, Easter Monday (6 April) is universal, ideal for UK travellers eyeing April visits.
Comparison: Austria vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
As a UK-focused guide, here’s how Austria stacks up against British bank holidays (sourced from gov.uk equivalents):
| Date | Austria Holiday | UK Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day (all UK) |
| 6 Jan | Epiphany | None |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday | Easter Monday (England, Wales, NI; not Scotland) |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Early May (4 May, all UK) |
| 14 May | Ascension | None (Spring bank 25 May) |
| 25 May | Whit Monday | Spring bank holiday (25 May, all UK) |
| 11 Jun | Corpus Christi | None |
| 15 Aug | Assumption | Summer (Scotland 3 Aug; Eng/Wales/NI 31 Aug) |
| 26 Oct | National Day | None |
| 1 Nov | All Saints | None |
| 25-26 Dec | Christmas & St Stephen’s | Christmas (25 Dec), Boxing (26 Dec, sub 28 Dec) |
Scotland’s 2 Jan, St Andrew’s (30 Nov), and summer differences highlight UK’s patchwork vs Austria’s uniformity. In April 2026, both share Easter Monday off, easing UK-Austria travel sync.
Impact on Businesses and Travel
Public holidays mean:
- Banks & Post Offices: Closed nationwide.
- Shops: Supermarkets may open limited hours; tourist spots often do.
- Transport: Trains/buses run reduced; airports normal.
- Restaurants/Hotels: Open, busier.
For 2026 April: Easter Monday closures could affect Salzburg or Vienna day trips. Book trains via ÖBB app early.
Travel Tips for Brits Visiting Austria in 2026
Around Easter (April 2026)
Easter Monday 6 April aligns with UK (Eng/Wales/NI). Fly EasyJet/Ryanair from London to Vienna/Innsbruck. Expect chocolate markets, but hikes in Tyrol.
Summer Planning
Whit Monday 25 May matches UK Spring bank—perfect for Salzkammergut lakes.
Winter Escapes
Christmas week: UK sub-holiday 28 Dec lets you extend to Austrian New Year.
Visa & Entry: UK passports valid 6 months; ETIAS from 2025 (€7 online). Currency: Euros—use fee-free cards like Wise. Driving: Vignette for motorways (€9.90/10 days). COVID/Health: Check NHS/FCDO for updates.
Booking Advice
- Use Booking.com for flexible stays.
- Ski passes: Post-Epiphany for quieter slopes.
- Events: Vienna Philharmonic Easter concert (book 2025).
Working in Austria as a Brit
Post-Brexit, Skilled Worker visas needed. Holidays match employee rights—full pay if working. Expats enjoy 25+ days annual leave plus these 13.
FAQs
Are Austrian bank holidays paid off?
Yes, statutory for employees.
Do shops open on Easter Monday 2026?
Limited; tourist areas yes.
How does 2026 Easter compare to UK?
Identical Monday off in most UK nations.
Regional holiday checker?
Use feiertage-oesterreich.at for 2026.
This 2026 guide (approx. 1050 words) equips UK travellers. Verify dates annually via official Austrian government sites. Safe journeys!