Act of January 23, 2026 establishes April 12 as War Disabled Day. This holiday is intended to commemorate people who suffered permanent damage to their health as a result of war.
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As emphasized in the justification for the act, the idea is to express respect for their courage and recognize their contribution to the fight for Poland's freedom and security.
The date of the new holiday is not accidental. It refers to the events of April 1919, when the first Unification Congress of the Association of War Disabled People of the Republic of Poland was held. This meeting had a key organizational and symbolic importance, integrating people injured in military operations and initiating activities for their rights.
A holiday without a day off
The new public holiday does not mean an additional day off from work. April 12 will remain a working day, and the act does not change the provisions regarding public holidays. As noted in the document, The aim of the regulation is primarily to give formal importance to celebrations that have so far been local and historical in nature.
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The preamble to the act reads: “In recognition of the merits and sacrifice of people who suffered permanent damage to their health as a result of war, expressing respect for their suffering, courage and sacrifice for the Homeland.”
Who is a war invalid?
According to Polish law, A war invalid is a person whose incapacity for work resulted from war operations. This definition, contained in the Act of May 29, 1974 on the provision of war and military invalids and their familiescovers not only soldiers and partisans, but also civilian victims of repression, forced laborers and people who suffered health damage as a result of captivity.
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The regulations also provide for rights for the families of persons killed, deceased or missing in connection with military service. The new holiday is intended to be an expression of respect for all those who felt the tragic effects of armed conflicts and their loved ones.
