Can an employer give fewer than 20 days of leave?
No — an employer cannot give less than the statutory minimum. Under the Labour Code every employee is entitled to at least 20 working days of annual leave when working a 5-day week, or 24 working days on a 6-day week. On any other schedule — no less than four weeks. The most common myth is that '20 days' includes weekends. It does not: working days are counted, so 20 working days works out at roughly 4 weeks of rest in the calendar. Leave is paid at your average wage, and holiday pay is paid before the leave or as agreed. At least one part of the leave must be no shorter than 10 working days. Some groups are entitled to extended or additional leave.
📋 The rules
- At least 20 working days (5-day week) or 24 (6-day week)
- Other schedule — no less than 4 weeks
- Working days are counted, not calendar days — about 4 weeks
- One part — no shorter than 10 working days
- Leave is paid at the average wage
🔓 Exceptions
- Employees under 18, people with disabilities and lone parents raising children are entitled to longer or additional leave
- Employees in certain occupations are entitled to extended annual leave of up to 25 working days
- Unused leave does not vanish at once, but its accrual and carry-over are limited by time periods
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Failing to give leave is the employer's problem, not the employee's. Annual leave is a mandatory employee right: the employer cannot refuse to grant it or 'buy it out' in cash while the employment continues (compensation is paid only on dismissal). If leave is not granted, the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) can order it to be given and impose an administrative fine for breaching labour law. On dismissal, all unused leave must be paid out as cash compensation, so accrued days never simply disappear. Unpaid holiday pay or compensation can be recovered through the labour disputes commission with interest. Long-denied leave is also a health and safety risk for which the employer answers.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How many days of leave do I get a year?
Working five days a week you are entitled to at least 20 working days of annual leave, and working six days to 24 working days. On any other schedule the leave must be no shorter than four weeks in total.
Does the 20 days include weekends?
No, only working days are counted, not calendar days. So 20 working days works out at roughly four weeks of rest in the calendar, which is more than it appears at first glance when you look only at the number.
Can I take all my leave as cash?
No, while the employment continues leave cannot be swapped for money — it is meant for rest. Cash compensation for unused leave is paid only when the employment contract ends, and then for all accrued days.
Can leave be split into parts?
Yes, but at least one part of the annual leave must be no shorter than 10 working days (or 12 if you work a six-day week). The remaining days can be split by agreement between the parties involved.
Who gets extended leave?
Longer or additional leave is granted to employees under 18, people with disabilities and lone parents raising children. Employees in certain occupations are entitled to extended annual leave of up to 25 working days.
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