Is the legal minimum for annual leave really four weeks?
Yes. The legal minimum is four weeks of annual leave per year — but that is only the starting point, as extra days lift many people higher. Article 159 ZDR-1 provides that annual leave may not be shorter than four weeks, whether you work full or part time. For a five-day working week that means 20 working days, for a six-day week 24. On top of the minimum the law adds: at least three more days for an older worker (over 55), a disabled worker, a worker with at least 60% physical impairment and someone caring for a child with special needs, plus one day for each child under 15. The myth that 'everyone has 20 days' is therefore false — collective agreements and the employment contract may set more, never less than the legal minimum. Anyone who takes a job during the year or has less than six months of service in the calendar year receives a proportional share — one twelfth for each month of employment.
📋 The rules
- Article 159 ZDR-1: annual leave may not be shorter than four weeks, whether full or part time — on a five-day week that is 20 working days, on a six-day week 24.
- Extra days: at least three days for an older worker (over 55), a disabled worker, a worker with at least 60% physical impairment, or someone caring for a child who needs special care and protection.
- One extra day of leave for each child under 15 years of age — this right is added to the minimum and to extra days from other grounds.
- A collective agreement, general act or the employment contract may set longer leave than the statutory one, but never shorter; four weeks is the absolute floor.
- Anyone employed for less than six months in the calendar year is entitled to a proportional share — one twelfth of the annual leave for each month of employment (Article 161 ZDR-1).
🔓 Exceptions
- In a year when the worker does not work the whole year (a new job, or leaving mid-year), a proportional share is due — one twelfth for each month of employment, not the full annual leave.
- Unused leave normally lapses, but a worker who could not use it because of illness, injury or parental leave may use it later — up to a statutory deadline in the following year.
- During employment the leave cannot be replaced by a cash payment; the right can be paid out only on termination of the contract, for the unused part.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
An employer who does not allow the worker annual leave in the statutory amount, or tries to cut it below four weeks, commits an offence supervised by the Labour Inspectorate (IRSD), for which ZDR-1 prescribes a fine for the legal entity and the responsible person. Alongside leave, the law ties in the annual leave allowance (regres), which must be at least the minimum wage and paid as a rule by 1 July of the current year; an unpaid or late allowance is a separate offence. A worker who was denied leave can assert their rights with the inspectorate and before the labour court, and during employment the leave may not be 'paid out' instead of taken. On termination of the contract the employer must settle the unused proportional part of the leave in money, otherwise it owes compensation with interest.
📎 Official sources
- PISRS · statute register (Employment Relationships Act, Article 159) →
- gov.si · Ministry of Labour (annual leave and allowance) →
- Labour Inspectorate RS · supervision of employment relationships →
❓ Frequently asked
How many days of annual leave do I get at least?
The legal minimum is four weeks, which on a five-day working week means 20 working days and on a six-day week 24. This minimum applies whether you work full or part time, and collective agreements and the employment contract may set more days.
Who is entitled to extra days of leave?
At least three extra days go to older workers over 55, disabled workers, workers with at least 60% physical impairment and those caring for a child with special needs. In addition, one day of leave is due for each child who has not yet turned 15.
How much leave do I get if I start work mid-year?
If you are employed for less than six months in the calendar year, you are entitled to a proportional share of annual leave — one twelfth for each month of employment (Article 161 ZDR-1). Full annual leave is due to a worker employed the whole calendar year.
Can I take unused leave as a cash payment?
During employment leave may not be replaced by money but must be taken. A cash payment for the unused proportional part is due only on termination of the employment contract, and not as an alternative to taking the leave while you are still working.
By when must I use my annual leave?
You normally use leave in the current calendar year, and the remainder by a statutory deadline in the following year. If you could not use it because of illness, injury or parental leave, you may use it later, within the extended deadline the law provides.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “how many days annual leave slovenia”
- “annual leave minimum four weeks”
- “extra leave days older worker slovenia”
- “proportional leave new job”
- “annual leave extra day per child”
- “by when to use annual leave”