Independence Day2026 · Date · History
Kosovo’s 2008 Law No. 03/L-064 expressly designates February 17 as Independence Day and a paid official holiday under its legal framework; the 17 February 2008 declaration supplies the historical date anchor. International recognition is not universal, so the scope is described neutrally.
About Independence Day
Kosovo’s institutions observe Independence Day on February 17. Law No. 03/L-064 expressly lists February 17 as Independence Day and makes official holidays paid days off under Kosovo’s legal framework.
The date marks the declaration of independence adopted on February 17, 2008. International recognition of Kosovo is not universal, so this guide describes the observance and legal framework without treating recognition as unanimous.
Why Independence Day matters
February 17 is the official Independence Day date under Kosovo’s 2008 official-holidays law.
The observance is tied to the February 17, 2008 declaration of independence. Kosovo’s international status remains contested, and this guide does not use the holiday designation to imply universal recognition.
History of Independence Day
Kosovo’s declaration of independence is dated February 17, 2008.
Law No. 03/L-064, dated May 23, 2008 and published June 15, 2008, designates February 17 as Independence Day among official holidays.
The law states that listed official holidays are paid days off and provides rules for weekend substitutions.
In its 2010 advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice concluded that the declaration of independence did not violate international law; the Court did not turn that conclusion into a requirement that every state recognize Kosovo.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Kosovo Independence Day
How to Observe Independence Day
Read the 2008 declaration and official-holidays law as separate primary documents: one supplies the historical date anchor and the other the recurring legal holiday status.
When discussing international status, use neutral language and identify the source rather than assuming universal recognition.
Consult current Kosovo institutional calendars for year-specific closure arrangements.
Use the ICJ advisory opinion for its specific legal conclusion rather than expanding it into claims the Court did not decide.
Independence Day Facts
For Independence Day, Kosovo’s institutions observe Independence Day on February 17.
The declaration of independence is dated February 17, 2008.
Law No. 03/L-064 expressly lists February 17 as an official Independence Day holiday.
The law makes official holidays paid days off under Kosovo’s legal framework.
International recognition is not universal, so the observance is described without implying unanimity on Kosovo’s status.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
International Court of Justice — Accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo, Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010 (opens in a new tab)
Official Government Or Legal
Kosovo Official Gazette — Law No. 03/L-064 on Official Holidays (opens in a new tab)
Official Government Or Legal
Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo — Declaration of Independence, 17 February 2008 (opens in a new tab)
Official Government Or Legal
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Independence Day?
17 February The documented recurrence rule is: 17 February.
Does Independence Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Independence Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Kosovo. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Independence Day?
The reviewed sources identify Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is Independence Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Kosovo. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-02.
When is Kosovo Independence Day observed?
Kosovo’s institutions observe it on February 17.
Why February 17?
The declaration of independence was adopted on February 17, 2008.
Is February 17 established in Kosovo’s holiday law?
Yes. Law No. 03/L-064 lists February 17 as Independence Day among official holidays and provides paid-day-off treatment.
Does observing the holiday mean Kosovo is universally recognized internationally?
No. International recognition is not universal; this guide describes Kosovo’s own legal observance without implying unanimous recognition.
Other observances on February 17
These observances are also listed on February 17, 2027.
17 February Revolution anniversary
Libyan News Agency reporting of Government of National Unity 2026 official commemoration programme
February 17 Revolution anniversary
Libyan government sources identify February 17 as the anniversary of the February 17 Revolution and list it as an official holiday/commemoration.
Global Tourism Resilience Day
A/RES/77/269
National Public Science Day
A 2000 NCAR/UCAR release says National Public Science Day was sponsored by AAAS and celebrated on February 17; current observance references continue to use February 17 annually.
National Tennis Pro Day
National Day Archives gives February 17 and identifies Maria Oddy as the creator in 2020, with the inaugural observance described for 2021.
Random Acts of Kindness Day®
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation identifies Random Acts of Kindness Day® as 17 February and describes it as an internationally observed campaign.