New Year Holiday

January 2 is the legislated continuation of the civil New Year holiday, not a separate historical anniversary. The Federation Government identifies January 1 and 2 as non-working under the holiday law applied there. Republika Srpska’s Holiday Law likewise assigns two days to New Year, and Brčko District’s law does the same. Listing January 2 separately explains why public offices remain closed after New Year’s Day.

In the Federation, employers, institutions and administrative bodies normally do not work unless continuous operation is required. Republika Srpska authorities decide which services must operate and to what extent. Brčko’s 2022 amendment permits vital, continuous and community-serving activities under instructions issued by the mayor and Judicial Commission president. Private opening hours can therefore differ significantly even where the formal holiday date is shared.

The second day usually has a calmer character than the December 31 countdown. Families continue visits, return from short trips or spend time in mountain resorts. Hospitality, transport and emergency services may remain busy even when administration closes. Sunday substitution is jurisdiction-specific: the Federation and Brčko provide a following-working-day mechanism, whereas Republika Srpska does not transfer a holiday falling on a non-working day.