Can my employer refuse my annual leave?
No: annual leave is a mandatory right. The employer cannot refuse annual leave or cash it out (except on termination). The baseline in the first year (pro-rata) is 20 working days (5-day week) or 24 (6-day week). With 10 years at the same employer or 12 years' total experience, it rises to 25/30, and after 25 years to 26/31. During leave you get full pay, while the holiday allowance equals the leave-days' pay, capped at half a month's salary, paid before the leave. In short: leave is granted within the year and isn't lost.
📋 The rules
- Baseline leave: 20 working days (5-day)/24 (6-day)
- 10 years same employer or 12 total: 25/30 days
- After 25 years: 26/31 days
- Full pay + holiday allowance (up to half a month)
- Granted within the year; not cashed out (except on termination)
🔓 Exceptions
- Cash-out: only on termination of employment
- First year: leave pro-rata to time worked
- Culpable refusal: leave pay owed doubled
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Annual leave is a right, so there's no "sanction" for the employee. If the employer culpably refuses to grant it, they owe the leave pay doubled (+100%). The leave must be granted within the calendar year and within 2 months of the request. To exercise your right: request leave in good time, make sure you receive the holiday allowance before you go and, if it's systematically refused, contact the Labour Inspectorate. Remember: leave isn't cashed out while you work — a cash-out is allowed only when employment ends.
📎 Official sources
- Labour Inspectorate — annual leave →
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security →
- gov.gr — employment rights →
❓ Frequently asked
How many leave days am I entitled to?
In the first year, pro-rata, 20 working days on a 5-day week or 24 on a 6-day week. With 10 years at the same employer or 12 years' total experience, the days rise to 25/30, and after 25 years to 26/31. Leave is taken with full pay.
Can my employer refuse my leave?
No. Annual leave is a right and must be granted within the calendar year. If the employer culpably refuses to grant it, they owe the leave pay doubled. They also can't cash it out while the employment relationship lasts.
What is the holiday allowance?
It's an extra payment equal to the leave-days' pay, capped at half a month's salary (or 13 daily wages for day-wage earners). It's paid before the employee goes on leave and is mandatory.
Can I take money instead of leave?
No, while you work. Cashing out leave is allowed only on termination of employment. While the work lasts, the employer must actually grant the leave, to protect your right to rest.
What do I do if they don't give me leave?
If your right to leave is breached, you can contact the Labour Inspectorate. The employer is legally obliged to grant the leave within the year and within 2 months of the request. A culpable refusal triggers a duty to pay the leave pay doubled.
🔎 Common searches
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