Public holidays in Croatia 2026 create perfect conditions for ‘spajanje’

For workers across Croatia, the 2026 calendar is shaping up to be particularly appealing.

A generous number of public holidays fall on working days, creating ideal conditions for extended breaks through the popular practice known locally as spajanje – the art of connecting public holidays with weekends to maximise time off.

In total, Croatia will observe 14 public holidays and national observances in 2026, with nine falling on weekdays.

The art of ‘spajanje’

Spajanje has long been a favourite tradition in Croatia. By taking just one or two days of annual leave, workers can often enjoy a break of five or even six consecutive days, a mini holiday without using much of their leave entitlement.

A quick glance at the 2026 calendar reveals several such opportunities.

The year began with New Year’s Day falling on a Thursday, followed closely by Epiphany on Tuesday, 6 January. Many workers have already taken advantage of this combination by bridging the gap with minimal leave to enjoy a longer break at the start of the year.

June is especially attractive, with Corpus Christi on Thursday, 4 June, and Anti-Fascist Resistance Day on Monday, 22 June, another ready-made long weekend.

While holidays that fall on weekends in Croatia do not carry over to weekdays, the 2026 calendar still offers ample opportunity for ‘spajanje’.

Croatia’s Public Holidays in 2026

• 1 January (Thursday) – New Year’s Day / Nova godina
• 6 January (Tuesday) – Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) / Sveta tri kralja
• 5 April (Sunday) – Easter Sunday / Uskrs
• 6 April (Monday) – Easter Monday / Uskrsni ponedjeljak
• 1 May (Friday) – International Workers’ Day / Praznik rada
• 30 May (Saturday) – Statehood Day / Dan državnosti
• 4 June (Thursday) – Corpus Christi / Tijelovo
• 22 June (Monday) – Anti-Fascist Resistance Day / Dan antifašističke borbe
• 5 August (Wednesday) – Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day / Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti
• 15 August (Saturday) – Assumption of Mary / Velika Gospa
• 1 November (Sunday) – All Saints’ Day / Svi sveti
• 18 November (Wednesday) – Remembrance Day / Dan sjećanja na žrtve Domovinskog rata
• 25 December (Friday) – Christmas Day / Božić
• 26 December (Saturday) – St Stephen’s Day / Sveti Stjepan