07.06.2026 14:32
The legal regulation prepared by the AK Party to declare Nevruz, celebrated on March 21, as an official holiday is expected to be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October. If the proposal, prepared on the instruction of President Erdoğan, becomes law, March 21 will become Turkey's 10th official holiday. Thus, the current 15.5 days of official holidays will increase to 16.5 days. The regulation is expected to be implemented for the first time on March 21, 2027.
The regulation prepared by the AK Party regarding the declaration of Nowruz as an official holiday is expected to be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October. If the proposal becomes law, the total official holiday period in Turkey will increase to 16.5 days.
WORK REACHES FINAL STAGE
Efforts to declare Nowruz as an official holiday, initiated upon President Erdoğan's instruction, are nearing completion. AK Party Deputy Chairman Kürşad Zorlu stated in April that final adjustments were being made to the draft and that the proposal would be brought to the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly in the coming period.
PROPOSAL TO BE SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT IN OCTOBER
Due to the Turkish Grand National Assembly's recess in July, members of parliament are preparing to submit many important regulations to the General Assembly in June. According to a report in Sözcü, following discussions on the 12th Judicial Package, the student amnesty, and the Income Complementary Family Support System, the Assembly is expected to enter a three-month recess.
The proposal to declare Nowruz as an official holiday will be among the first regulations addressed with the start of the new legislative term. The regulation is planned to come to the Parliament's agenda in October.
NUMBER OF OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS TO RISE TO 10
Under the current National Holidays and General Holidays Law in Turkey, there are 9 official holidays.
New Year's Day, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day, May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, and August 30 Victory Day are each observed as one-day official holidays, while October 29 Republic Day is considered a 1.5-day official holiday. Additionally, there are 3.5 days for Ramadan Feast and 4.5 days for Sacrifice Feast.
TOTAL HOLIDAY PERIOD TO REACH 16.5 DAYS
The current total official holiday period of 15.5 days will increase to 16.5 days if Nowruz is included as an official holiday.
If the proposal is enacted, March 21 will be added to the National Holidays and General Holidays Law as the 10th official holiday. The implementation is expected to take effect for the first time on March 21, 2027.