Danish government plans to restore Great Prayer Day holiday in 2030

Denmark plans to bring back Great Prayer Day as a public holiday in 2030. This means workers in Denmark may get a paid day off again.

The government will introduce a law in spring 2027 to restore it. Minister Pia Olsen Dyhr confirmed the plan on Monday. She leads the Socialist People's Party. Parliament will debate the proposal in spring 2027. The timing gives clarity before major wage talks in 2028 and 2029.

The former government abolished the holiday in 2024. That decision aimed to raise funds for higher defense spending. The Finance Ministry said removing it added 8,500 people to labor supply. It also raised about 3 billion Danish kroner each year. Salaried workers received a pay bump of 0.45 percent as compensation.

The government promised a return if employment grew enough to offset losses. Minister Dyhr said job numbers have already increased as needed. She feels confident employment will reach the required level by 2030. Workers may need to finance the day off through employer negotiations.

Great Prayer Day was a public holiday since 1686. It falls on the fourth Friday after Easter. Removing the holiday caused protests from unions, opposition parties, and the church. This story was reported by Copenhagen Post.