Will I get paid for unused leave after leaving a job?
Yes: unused leave is paid out as an equivalent when you leave the job. When the employment relationship ends (termination or expiry of the contract) and the worker hasn't used their annual leave, the employer must pay a cash equivalent for the outstanding and current leave days. During employment, leave as a rule can't be converted into money — that's what days off are for. The equivalent is calculated using a coefficient set for the given year (reflecting the number of days off) and the worker's pay. The equivalent is not due if the parties agree the unused leave will be taken during the next contract concluded directly after the previous one. It's part of the final settlement and should be paid on the day the employment relationship ends.
📋 The rules
- Equivalent for unused leave when employment ends
- During work leave as a rule isn't converted into money
- Calculated by the year's coefficient and the worker's pay
- Paid on the day employment ends
- No equivalent if leave is taken in the next contract
🔓 Exceptions
- Continued employment with the same employer: leave can be taken instead of the equivalent
- On-demand and outstanding leave: also covered by the equivalent if unused
- Leave-equivalent coefficient: varies by year and number of days off
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Not paying the equivalent for unused leave on time is a labour-law breach — the worker can claim the outstanding amount with interest, report it to the National Labour Inspectorate or file a claim in the labour court. The claim for the equivalent is time-barred (as a rule after 3 years), so it's not worth delaying. Remember the equivalent concerns annual leave and is due in proportion to the days you didn't use. To get what's due: establish the number of outstanding and current leave days, check the final settlement and the equivalent amount, ensure payment on the last day of work, and in case of problems keep documents (work certificate, leave records) and report it to the inspectorate or court.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Will I get paid for unused leave after dismissal?
Yes. When the employment relationship ends and you haven't used your annual leave, the employer must pay a cash equivalent for the unused days — both current and outstanding. The equivalent is part of the final settlement with the employer.
Can I convert leave into money during employment?
As a rule no. During employment, annual leave isn't converted into money — that's what days off for rest are for. A cash equivalent is due only when the employment relationship ends and leave remains unused.
How is the leave equivalent calculated?
Using the leave-equivalent coefficient set for the given calendar year (reflecting the number of days off) and the worker's pay. On this basis the rate for one leave day is calculated and multiplied by the number of unused days. The calculation rules are set by the regulations.
When is the equivalent not due?
When the parties agree that the unused leave will be taken during the next employment contract concluded with the same employer directly after the previous one. Then, instead of paying the equivalent, the worker takes the outstanding leave during the new employment.
What if the employer doesn't pay the equivalent?
You can claim the outstanding amount with interest, report it to the National Labour Inspectorate or file a claim in the labour court. The claim is time-barred as a rule after 3 years, so it's not worth delaying. The work certificate and leave-use records help.
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