
The high standard of living and work attracts foreigners to come to work in Iceland. The largest group of immigrants in Iceland is made up of Polish citizens, who account for about 10-15% of the total population. If you already live and work there, read on to learn when the public holidays and days off in Iceland will be in 2025.
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Jobs in Iceland
The demand for migrant workers in Iceland is high, especially in industries that require labor, and in sectors where Icelanders cannot meet the demand for workers. These are mainly sectors such as: fishing, tourism, agriculture, construction, hospitality, and automotive mechanics.
Job offers are available through EURES (European Employment Services) and local job portals, for example:
Public Holidays and Days Off in Iceland 2025
According to Icelandic law, employees are entitled to 2 days of vacation for each month worked, meaning 24 vacation days per year. In 2025, there will be 13 public holidays in Iceland. Below are the exact dates for 2025.
Holiday | Date |
New Year’s Day (Nýársdagur) | January 1 (Wednesday) |
Fishermen’s Day (Bóndadagur) | March 20 (Thursday) |
Holy Thursday (Skírdagur) | April 17 (Thursday) |
Good Friday (Föstudagurinn langi) | April 18 (Friday) |
Easter Sunday (Páskadagur) | April 20 (Sunday) |
Easter Monday (Annar í páskum) | April 21 (Monday) |
First Day of Summer (Sumardagurinn fyrsti) | April 23 (Wednesday) |
Labour Day (Verkalýðsdagurinn) | May 1 (Thursday) |
Ascension Day (Uppstigningardagur) | May 29 (Thursday) |
Whit Sunday (Hvítasunnudagur) | June 8 (Sunday) |
Whit Monday (Annar í hvítasunnu) | June 9 (Monday) |
Independence Day (Þjóðhátíðardagurinn) | June 17 (Tuesday) |
Bank Holiday (Merchant Day) | August 4 (Monday) |
Christmas Eve (Aðfangadagur) | December 24 (Wednesday) |
Christmas Day (Jóladagur) | December 25 (Thursday) |
Boxing Day (Annar í jólum) | December 26 (Friday) |
New Year’s Eve (Gamlársdagur) | December 31 (Wednesday) |
In Iceland, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are public holidays, but only from 12:00 PM onwards.
Iceland’s National Day
Iceland’s National Day, known as Republic Day, is celebrated on June 17. It commemorates an important event in the country’s history: the proclamation of Iceland’s independence and the declaration of Iceland as a republic, which took place in 1944. On this day, various events are organized across the country, including parades, concerts, and cultural celebrations.
First Day of Summer
The First Day of Summer (Icelandic: Sumardagurinn fyrsti) is a traditional Icelandic holiday celebrated on the first Thursday after April 18. This unique holiday marks the beginning of spring and the upcoming summer. In many households, there is a tradition of giving gifts on this day.
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Public Holidays and Days Off in Iceland – How to Plan Your Vacation in 2025?
Wondering how to save your vacation days in 2025? Here’s our suggestion:
- April 24-27 (Thursday to Sunday – 1 vacation day)
- May 1 (Thursday to Sunday – 1 vacation day)
- May 29-June 1 (Thursday to Sunday – 1 vacation day)
- June 14-17 (Saturday to Tuesday – 1 vacation day)
- December 24-January 1 (Wednesday to Thursday – 4 vacation days)