Paid Annual Leave Per Country: Global Guide

Annual leave, annual vacation, or annual paid time off (PTO) is the number of paid vacation time entitled to employees and is one of the most valuable and attractive employee benefits. 

Companies must legally provide a certain number of paid vacation days to all full-time employees: the number varies depending on employment law in each country. For example, in European Union countries, employees receive a minimum of 4 weeks of paid leave, whereas in Mexico, employees receive six days.

Some private-sector companies offer longer vacation leave as a part of their competitive benefits package.

In this guide, we share the statutory minimum annual leave for 76 countries across the globe. Whether you’re a company hiring in a new country or a worker considering relocating, here’s what you need to know about paid leave.

Please note: This article was last updated on [12/13/2023]. The information presented may change over time, so please check back regularly for updates. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we cannot guarantee that this information is always complete or accurate. Users should not rely on this information without independently verifying it.

30+ Days
Brazil

After you complete one year of employment in Brazil, you can take 30 paid calendar days (20 business days) of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Brazil.

Finland

People in Finland are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Finland.

Madagascar

Full-time employees in Madagascar are entitled to 30 working days of paid time off a year. PTO accrues monthly at 2,5 days per month. Employees are eligible for annual leave after 12 months of work unless otherwise agreed. 

Learn more about hiring employees in Madagascar here._

Panama

In Panama, an employee gets a minimum of 30 days of paid time off a year once they work with a company for over a year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Panama.

Peru

In Peru, full-time employees get a minimum of 30 days of vacation. Part-time employees get a minimum of 6 days.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Peru.

United Arab Emirates

Employees can only take vacation days after 6 months of employment at a rate of 2 days per month during their first year of employment. After 6 months, full-time employees get a minimum annual allowance of 30 paid days per year. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in UAE.

20 - 29 Days

Argentina

Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 10 working (14 calendar) days of PTO a year. PTO and aural rates vary depending on the length of services. Prior to completing 6 months of service, the Employee will be entitled to receive 1 day of annual leave for every 20 working days of service.

• For up to 5 years of service: 10 days
• Over 5 but less than 10 years: 15 days
• Over 10 but less than 20 years: 20
• Over 20 years: 25

Albania

Employees in Albania receive a minimum of 20 days of paid time off per year. Their time off rolls over until the end of March the following year. If they don't use it, it expires.

Australia

If employed in Australia, you’re entitled to 20 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Australia.

Austria

Austrian workers get 25 days of paid time off per year. The vacation year is based on the employee's start date, not on the calendar year. This leave accrues at a rate of 2.08 days per month. If an employee is given more than 25 days, the accrual rate per month is their annual vacation allowance divided by 12. 

For the first 6 months of employment, employees can use their vacation allowance as it accrues. After the first 6 months, employees are entitled to use their vacation allowance before it has accrued. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Austria.

Belarus

If working for a company in Belarus, you get 24 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Belarus.

Belgium

In Belgium, you can take 20 days of paid time off per year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Belgium.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina receive 20 days of paid time off. Minors and employees that perform risky or health-harming jobs are entitled to more.

Bulgaria

Employees in Bulgaria who work full-time are entitled to a minimum of 20 paid days of vacation annually. This accrues at a rate of 1.67 days per month. The vacation allowance becomes available to employees as they accrue it. The vacation year is January 1 to December 31.

Learn more about hiring employees in Bulgaria here.

Croatia

If you work in Croatia, you get a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Croatia.

Cyprus

In Cyprus, you get four weeks of paid time off per year. The exact number of days depends on the number of days you work per week:

• 20 days off for a five-day week
• 24 days for a six-day week

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Cyprus.

Czech Republic

If you work in the Czech Republic, you get 20 days of paid time off.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Czech Republic.

Denmark

In Denmark, you get 25 days of paid time off.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Denmark.

Egypt

Employees in Egypt receive 21 days of paid time off per year once they work at a company for at least six months. The number of paid vacation days goes up to 30 for those who are older than 50 or have worked for the same employer for 10+ years.

Estonia

Estonian employers must give employees 28 days of paid time off per year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Estonia.

France

You have the right to 25 days of paid time off in France.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in France.

Georgia

In Georgia, employees, both full-time and part-time employees, are entitled to 24 working days of paid time off (PTO) a year. PTO accrues monthly at 2 days per month after 11 months in the company.

Employees are also entitled to 15 calendar days of unpaid paid time off, commonly used for sick leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Georgia.

Germany

German employees get a minimum of 20 days of paid leave. However, most employers give their workers up to six weeks of paid time off.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Germany.

Greece

In Greece, the minimum vacation day allowance depends on how long the employee has worked for their employer and how many days per week they work:

First calendar year

• 5 days per week: 20 paid vacation days, accrued monthly from start date
• 6 days per week: 24 paid vacation days, accrued monthly from start date

Second calendar year

• 5 days per week: 20 paid vacation days, accrued monthly from start date up to 12 months of service, and then 21 paid vacation days, accrued monthly from first work anniversary
• 6 days per week: 24 paid vacation days, accrued monthly from start date up to 12 months of service, and then 25 paid vacation days, accrued monthly from first work anniversary

Calendar years 3 - 9

• 5 days per week: 22 paid vacation days per year
• 6 days per week: 26 paid vacation days per year

Calendar year 10 and onwards (or after 12 years of service at any employer)

• 5 days per week: 25 paid vacation days per year

• 6 days per week: 30 paid vacation days per year

After 25 years of service with any employer

• 5 days per week: 26 paid vacation days per year
• 6 days per week: 31 paid vacation days per year

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Greece.

Hungary

In Hungary, you are entitled to 20 days of vacation per year. 

The entitlement increases based on: 

The number of children one has: 

• 2 additional working days for one child
• 4 additional working days for 2 children
• 7 additional working days for 3+ children

Worker's age:

• 1 additional working day over the age of 25;
• 2 additional working days over the age of 28;
• 3 additional working days over the age of 31;
• 4 additional working days over the age of 33;
• 5 additional working days over the age of 35;
• 6 additional working days over the age of 37;
• 7 additional working days over the age of 39;
• 8 additional working days over the age of 41;
• 9 additional working days over the age of 43;
• 10 additional working days over the age of 45

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Hungary.

Ireland

An employee in Ireland is entitled to a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year. This accrues at a rate of 1.66 days per month. If an employee is given more than 20 days, the accrual rate is their annual vacation allowance divided by 12.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Ireland.

Italy

Employees in Italy can take at least 20 days of paid annual leave. They are also entitled to ‘Ex Festivitá’ hours. Employees are entitled to 4 days (32 hours) of paid leave per year that they can take whenever they like. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Italy.

Kenya

Employees in Kenya who work full-time or part-time are entitled to a minimum of 21 paid days of vacation annually. This accrues at a rate of 1.75 days per month. The vacation allowance becomes available to employees as they accrue it. The vacation year is January 1 to December 31.

Learn more about hiring employees in Kenya.

Latvia

Latvian law states that every employee has the right to take 20 days (28 calendar days) of paid time off. 

Lithuania

In Lithuanian employers must offer the following annual leave entitlements: 

• Full-time employees working 5 days a week: 20 days
• Full-time employees working 6 days a week: 24 days
• Part-Time Employee: 10 days

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Lithuania.

Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, employees get 26 days of paid leave in a year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Luxembourg.

Malta

In Malta, employees have the right to 24 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Malta.

Mauritius

In Mauritius, employees receive 22 days of paid time off per year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Mauritius.

Montenegro

Full-time employees are entitled to 20 working days of PTO a year. PTO accrues monthly at 1.66 days per month.

If the employee has a working week of 6 days, the minimum time off will be 24 working days. Employees must take at least 10 working days in a row during each calendar year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Montenegro.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, you can take 20 days of paid time off in a year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in the Netherlands.

New Zealand

Employees in New Zealand who work five days per week are entitled to a minimum of 20 paid days vacation per year. The vacation is based on the employee's start date, not the calendar year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in New Zealand.

Norway

Employees in Norway are entitled to 20 days of paid holiday each year.

All employees who start their employment before September 30 are entitled to a full holiday quota in their first year. Holiday pay accrues in the year preceding the year in which the employee takes vacation. New employees may have accrued holiday pay from their previous employer, which transfers to their new place of employment. If this is the employee’s first job with a Norwegian employer, they will not receive any holiday pay in their first year of employment as it has not been accrued. Any holiday they choose to take in their first year of employment will be unpaid.

The holiday period in Norway is June 1 to September 30, where vacation is generally used. During this period, employees are entitled to at least 3 weeks of continuous vacation. Exact timing within this framework is free for the employer to decide.

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the employees take vacation. If the employee does not have any holiday pay accrued from the previous employer, they do not have to take vacation.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Norway.

Poland

Employees in Poland that work five days per week are entitled to a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year if they have been working for less than 10 years. If an employee has been working for 10 years or more, they are entitled to 26 vacation days. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Poland or how much your overall employer costs could be.

Portugal

Both full-time and part-time employees in Portugal are entitled to 2 paid vacation days per month in their first year up to a maximum of 20 days, and 22 paid days vacation each year after.

By law employees are eligible to take vacation after 6 months of employment, but in practice employers will commonly approve vacation requests before 6 months of employment.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Portugal.

Romania

Romanian employees get 20 days of paid annual leave.

Russia

Employees in Russia can take 28 days of paid annual leave. Employees are eligible for PTO after 1 month of work.

Learn more about hiring employees in Russia here.

Serbia

As an employee in Serbia, you’re entitled to 20 business days of paid annual leave. This number may increase with years of service, your education level, and other factors. However, PTO cannot exceed 25 days/year. 

Slovakia

Slovakian employee's annual leave entitlements depend on their age:

• 0-33 years old: 20 days

• 33+ years old: 25 days

• Employees of any age with children: 25 days 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Slovakia.

Slovenia

If you’re working for a Slovenian company, you are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid time off in a year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Slovenia.

Spain

In Spain, employees are entitled to a minimum of 23 paid days vacation per year. This leave accrues at a rate of 1.92 working days per month. If an employee has more than 23 days, the accrual rate is their annual vacation allowance divided by 12.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Spain or how much your overall employer costs could be.

Sweden

Swedish employees get 25 days of paid vacation days each year. The vacation year in Sweden runs from April to March. The entire yearly vacation entitlement becomes available to an employee once they have worked for a full vacation year. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Sweden.

Switzerland

If you’re working for a company based in Switzerland, you get 20 days of paid time off in a year. Employees under the age of 20 or over the age of 50 get 25 days of paid vacation a year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Switzerland.

Tunisia

Employees in Tunisia can take 22 paid days off per year. Employees accrue vacation from their first day and can use it as it accrues.

Learn more about employing in Tunisia.

Ukraine

Like in many other countries in Europe, Ukrainian employees are entitled to 24 calendar days of annual leave. The leave includes weekends but not official holidays.

• Employees in the first or second category of disabled persons: 30 days of PTO

• Employees in the third category of disabled persons: 26 days of PTO

• Employees under the age of 18: 31 days of PTO

• Seasonal workers: proportional to time worked

PTO accrues monthly at 2 days per month. Employees are eligible to take PTO after 6 months of work.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Ukraine.

Uganda

Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 21 working days of PTO a year. PTO accrues at 7 days for every 4 consecutive months an employee works. Employees are eligible for PTO after 4 months of work.

Learn more about hiring employees in Uganda.

United Kingdom

Both fixed-rate contractors and employees in the United Kingdom who work five days per week are entitled to a minimum of 28 days vacation per year, including public holidays, or 20 days per year excluding public holidays. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in the UK.

10 - 19 Days

Cambodia

In Cambodia, employees' paid annual leave entitlement grows with their length of service. The standard entitlement is 18 days per year, with an additional day earned for every three years of service after four years.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Cambodia.

Canada

For those working in Canada, the statutory vacation allowance varies per province. As a general policy in Canada, full-time employees must receive a minimum of 15 vacation days per year. This leave accrues at a rate of 1.25 days per month. If the employee has more than 15 days, the monthly accrual rate is their annual vacation allotment divided by 12. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Canada.

Chile

You get 15 paid days off after a year of working for the same company in Chile. There are also progressive days. Once an employee has contributed to the Chilean pension system for 10 years, an extra 1 day of PTO is added per year for every 3 years under the same employer. The employee must submit their certificate from the Chilean pension system (AFP) to their employer.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Chile.

China

Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 5 working days of paid time off (PTO) a year. PTO accrues monthly at 0.42 days per month.

Employees are entitled to their time off after one year of employment.

Paid time off can increase based on the employee’s cumulative working years, which will include hours worked for the same or different employers:

• Less than 10 years, 5 days working days

• More than 10 years, and less than 20 years, 10 working days

• More than 20 years, 15 working days

Unused statutory annual leaves shall be converted to cash and will be given to the employee at the end of the year. Any unused contractual annual leaves will be forfeited.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in China.

Colombia

Employees in Colombia are entitled to a minimum of 15 paid business days per year. This leave accrues at a rate of 1.25 days per month and begins accruing from their start date. If an employee is given more than 15 days, the accrual rate per month is their annual vacation allowance divided by 12. The vacation year is based on the employee’s start date, not on the calendar year.

Employees are required to take a minimum of 10 vacation days in a continuous period annually. Part time employees are entitled to the same number of vacation days per year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Colombia.

Costa Rica

Employees in Costa Rica have a minimum vacation entitlement of 14 days per year after they've worked for 50 weeks.

India

Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to a minimum of 18 paid business days of vacation per year. This leave accrues at a rate of 1.5 days per month. If an employee is given more than 18 days, the accrual rate per month is their annual vacation allowance divided by 12. The vacation year is based on the employee’s start date, not on the calendar year.

Vacation accrual is prorated only in the first year, after which every year it should be received as a lump sum on January 1.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in India.

Indonesia

Full-time employees are entitled to 12 days of paid time off PTO a year. PTO accrues with 1 day of PTO per month. Employees are eligible to take vacation after completing 1 year of employment.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Indonesia.

Israel

In Israel, employees get 12 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Israel.

Hong Kong

If you’ve been with a company for up to two years, you get 7 days of paid leave. For every additional year of employment, you get an additional day. So, if you’ve been working for a company for 9+ years, you are entitled to 14 days of paid leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Hong Kong.

Japan

In Japan, you get 10 days of paid time off. Employees are required to take a minimum of 5 vacation days annually. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Japan.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, you get 8 days of paid leave if you’ve been with the company between 0 - 2 years. If you’ve been with the same employer for 2 to 5 years, you get 12 days of paid leave per year. If you stay at the same company for 5+ years, you get 16 days of paid leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Malaysia.

Mexico

• Year 1: 12 paid vacation days per year 

• Year 2: 14 paid vacation days per year 

• Year 3: 16 paid vacation days per year 

• Year 4: 18 paid vacation days per year 

• Year 5: 20 paid vacation days per year

• Years 6-10: 22 paid vacation days per year

• Years 11-15: 24 paid vacation days per year

• Years 16-20: 26 paid vacation days per year

• Years 21-25: 28 paid vacation days per year

• Years 26-30: 30 paid vacation days per year

• Years 31-35: 32 paid vacation days per year

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Mexico.

Mongolia

Mongolian employees have the right to a minimum of 15 days of paid leave per year.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Mongolia.

Nigeria

Employees in Nigeria must have worked for at least 12 months in order to qualify for 6 days of annual leave per year, as it accrues at 0.5 days/month. 

Philippines

If you’re working for a company set in the Philippines, you can take 5 days off in a year. If you don’t use them, you can receive monetary compensation instead.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in the Philippines.

Singapore

Employees in Singapore who work five days per week are entitled to a minimum of 7 paid vacation days per year. This accrues at a rate of 0.58 days per month. If an employee has more than 7 days, the accrual rate is their annual vacation allowance divided by 12.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Singapore.

Sri Lanka

As an employee in Sri Lanka, you're entitled to 14 days of paid time off after the first year of your employment.

South Africa

Employees in South Africa who work five days per week are entitled to a minimum of 15 paid vacation days per year. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in South Africa.

South Korea

Employers must grant any employee who has worked for not less than 80% of one year a paid leave of 15 days in the following year.

Paid leave periods are calculated by adding one day every two years, with the total number of paid leave days, including the additional paid leave days, not exceeding 25 days.

Employers must grant any employee who has worked for less than one year one paid leave day for each month during which the employee has continuously worked.

Every employee has the right to claim wages as a substitute for unused annual leave days and the right shall survive even if the right of claim for annual leave terminates. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in South Korea.

Taiwan

The length of your annual leave depends on how long you’ve been with a company.

• 6 months to 1 year: 3 days 

• 1 - 2 years: 7 days 

• 2 - 3 years: 10 days 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Taiwan.

Thailand

People employed in Thailand can take 6 days off a year and get paid for them. There are 16 public holidays in Thailand, but only banks and government offices get them off.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Thailand.

Turkey

Employees in Turkey get a minimum of 14 paid days off per year. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Turkey.

United States

In the US, there isn’t a law specifically demanding that an employer pay their employees for their time off. For example, in New York, you may even be required to work on holidays if your contract doesn't specify otherwise. However, most employees get around 15 days of paid annual leave.

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in the US.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, you’re allowed to take 12 days off in a year. Employees accrue 1 day of PTO per month. 

Learn more about the statutory employment regulations in Vietnam.

Grant, track, and manage paid annual leave compliantly with Deel

Deel is compliant global hiring, payroll, and HR for remote teams. That means anyone, anywhere, can get hired, paid, and managed with Deel. 

Deel ensures that each contract a full-time employee or contractor signs is entirely compliant with local labor laws, including statutory annual leave, so you don’t have to learn a new set of rules each time you’re ready to hire in a new country.

On top of that, our PTO plugin allows employees and managers to:

• Centralize time off requests and approvals in Slack
• Automatically alert managers to signs of burnout
• Provide automatic status updates and assign coverage while away

Watch the video below to see how Deel simplifies global HR:

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