Mandatory public holidayFixed date: 6 January every year
Epiphany (Theophany)
About the holiday
Epiphany, the Theophany or Fota, commemorates the baptism of Christ. Across Greece priests bless the waters and throw a cross into the sea or a river for swimmers to retrieve. Since Law 4808/2021 the day is a mandatory public holiday in the private sector too, and it ends the twelve days of Christmas.
Who is off?
What the holiday means for each sector.
- Private sector
- Day off (mandatory)
- Public sector
- Closed
- Schools
- Closed
- Banks
- Closed
Every business must close; employees are paid without working (Law 4808/2021, art. 60).
Upcoming dates
The next years at a glance.
Impact on working days
2026
In 2026 the holiday falls on a Tuesday, so the working week has 4 working days instead of 5.
Epiphany creates a long weekend from 3 January to 6 January 2026: 4 days off with 1 days of leave.
2027
In 2027 the holiday falls on a Wednesday, so the working week has 4 working days instead of 5.
Epiphany creates a long weekend from 1 January to 6 January 2027: 6 days off with 2 days of leave.
2028
In 2028 the holiday falls on a Thursday, so the working week has 4 working days instead of 5.
Epiphany creates a long weekend from 6 January to 9 January 2028: 4 days off with 1 days of leave.
Sources
Dates and legal status were checked against:
- Law 4808/2021, article 60 — days of mandatory public holiday (Government Gazette A' 101/19.06.2021)Hellenic Republic — Government Gazette (via e-nomothesia.gr)
- GSEE – KEPEA: Which days are mandatory public holidaysΚΕΠΕΑ / ΓΣΕΕ (Information Centre for Employees and the Unemployed of the Greek General Confederation of Labour)
- Law 1157/1981, article 1 — holidays and half-days of public servicesHellenic Republic — Government Gazette (via taxheaven.gr)
Last verified: 7 October 2026
Plan your leave
Taking leave around Epiphany?
Pick your days on the calendar: weekends, public holidays and school breaks are already marked, so you see at once how many leave days you need and how long the break becomes.