Bank and public holidays in Austria: 2017-2018 guide

The Austrian holiday calendar might look a little different to those who aren’t from the country. In Austria, religious holidays are taken very seriously, with mandated time off for several of them. Some of those holidays fall on different days each year, making them difficult to keep track of. They also vary depending on what part of the country you’re in, so it’s extremely important to know when banks and public offices will be closed so you don’t get caught off guard by a surprise holiday. The good news is that if a holiday falls on a weekend, no weekday time off is usually given, simplifying a complicated holiday calendar just a little bit. To make the most of your time in Austria — and not get caught needing a bank when they’re all closed — it’s important to know what holidays and customs are important in Austria. Read on to learn some of the basics.

National holidays in Austria

There are 16 national holidays in Austria each year.

• Austrian public holidays: 16
• Austrian bank holidays: 16

Celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in Austria

Mother’s Day in Austria is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, the same as in the US and many other countries that observe the holiday. It’s treated as a day of love and gratitude for mothers, and many customs celebrated in the US have been adopted by Austria, like taking moms out to brunch or having a family meal together sometime during the day. Children generally make small crafts and gifts in school, which they give to their moms on Mother’s Day.

While Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June in many parts of the world, Austria celebrates fathers on the second Sunday in June. It’s a day to honor fathers and fatherhood, but there are no specific customs that are widely practiced throughout Austria. Different families celebrate Father’s Day in different ways; some may give father's small gifts, while others may share a meal to celebrate.

Neither Mother’s Day nor Father’s Day are public holidays in Austria.

The most important holidays and dates in Austria

The vast majority of Austria’s national holidays are religious in origin. The most important of them by far is Christmas, which is celebrated with gifts, Christmas trees and carolers guiding people to churches for Christmas services. In rural areas, farmers carve the initials of the three wise men over their stable doors to protect their animals from sickness in the coming year. Families spend Christmas evening together, sharing a traditional meal that usually has fried carp as the main course. After dinner, the family’s decorated Christmas tree is revealed, with an elaborate manger scene made out of hand carved figures that are passed down from generation to generation.

Although businesses close for many Austrian holidays, there's only one statutory holiday: The day of the Immaculate Conception, observed on 8 December. Employees aren’t mandated to be paid for time off on this day, but by Austrian law, no employee can be reprimanded for choosing to take this day off.

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve aren’t recognized holidays, but many businesses, including banks, close early on these days.

List of public holidays in Austria for 2017

List of public holidays in Austria for 2018

List of public holidays in Austria for 2019

Sending money home for the holidays in Austria?

It’s easier than you think to send money home for the holidays in Austria, even with all those bank closures. Instead of making an international transfer through a bank, try Wise, a service that helps you send money internationally as quickly and cheaply as possible. Wise uses local bank transfers to move your money, meaning it never actually crosses borders and you don’t have to pay any international or intermediary fees. Wise also uses the actual exchange rate, like you'd see on Google, without any hidden fees or markups. All you have to pay is a small transfer fee that’s spelled out upfront. It’s easy, fast and secure.

Wise also offers borderless multi-currency accounts, which allow users to manage, send and receive money in several global currencies at once. If you live in one country and get paid in the UK, the US, the EU or Australia, then you can even get bank details to get paid like a local. Borderless account holders will also have access to consumer debit cards beginning in 2018.

Give Wise a try today and see how easy it can really be to send money abroad.

Knowing Austria’s most important holidays means you’re ready to celebrate like a local, stress-free because you won’t get caught needing a bank on a holiday. Enjoy your celebrations!