Global PTO Policies by Country: Paid Leave Guide (2026)

Santiago Tarrío

— HR & People Ops at TrackingTime

Compare statutory paid vacation, public holidays, sick leave and parental leave across 66 countries. Last reviewed October 2026. Figures reflect national statutory minimums; collective agreements and employment contracts often add more.

💡 Quick overview

Statutory paid annual leave ranges from none at federal level in the United States, 5 days in the Philippines and 5 to 15 days in China, to 20 to 28 days in most of Europe and 30 calendar days in Spain, Brazil, Peru and the UAE.

Public holidays, sick pay and parental leave follow different rules in each country, so use the comparison table below or jump to any country from the table of contents.

Global PTO policies

PTO comparison table
PTO policies in the Americas
PTO policies in Europe
PTO policies in Asia-Pacific
PTO policies in the Middle East and Africa
How to manage PTO across countries

PTO comparison table

Statutory minimums for full-time employees, ordered by region: Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Select a country for the full breakdown.

Country	Paid annual leave	Public holidays	Paid sick leave
United States	None required by federal law	11 federal holidays (federal employees only)	No federal mandate; many states require it
Canada	2 weeks, rising to 3 and 4 with service (federal)	10 federal general holidays; 6 to 11 by province	Up to 10 days (federal); varies by province
Mexico	12 days in year one, rising to 20 by year five	7 mandatory rest days a year	Covered through IMSS social security
Brazil	30 calendar days plus a 1/3 pay bonus	10 national holidays plus state and local ones	Employer pays first 15 days; INSS after that
Argentina	14 to 35 calendar days by seniority	About 12 national holidays plus bridge days	3 to 12 months paid, by seniority and dependents
Chile	15 working days after one year	About 16 to 17 paid holidays	Social security pays from day 4
Colombia	15 business days after one year	18 paid holidays	Up to 180 days; employer, then EPS pay
Peru	30 calendar days after one year	16 paid holidays	Employer pays 20 days, then EsSalud
Uruguay	20 days after one year, more with seniority	5 paid holidays (e.g. 1 May, 25 Dec)	Social security pays about 70% for up to a year
Costa Rica	2 weeks after 50 weeks of work	About 12 national holidays	Employer and CCSS split, then 60% from day 4
Dominican Republic	14 working days, 18 after five years	12 public holidays	Certificate required; employer, then SDSS pay
Ecuador	15 days a year, more after 5 years	About 11 national holidays	IESS subsidy, generally from day 4
Paraguay	12, 18 or 30 days by seniority	About 12 national holidays	IPS subsidy with certificate
Bolivia	15, 20 or 30 days by seniority	About 11 national holidays	Social security funds pay with certificate
Panama	30 days per 11 months worked	About 15 national holidays	CSS pays with certificate
United Kingdom	5.6 weeks (maximum 28 days)	8 (England and Wales), 9 (Scotland), 10 (Northern Ireland)	Statutory Sick Pay of £123.25 a week, from day one
France	5 weeks (25 business days)	11 national holidays	Social security pays after a 3-day wait
Spain	30 calendar days (about 22 working days)	Up to 14 a year, including 2 local	Social Security from day 4; days 1 to 3 unpaid by law
Germany	20 days (5-day week); 24 on a 6-day week	9 nationwide plus state holidays	100% pay for 6 weeks (Entgeltfortzahlung)
Italy	4 weeks minimum (about 26 days via CCNL)	12 national holidays plus a local patron saint day	Shared between INPS and employer; term set by CCNL
Netherlands	4 times weekly hours (20 days at 40 hours)	Set by contract or collective agreement	At least 70% of pay for up to 104 weeks
Switzerland	4 weeks (5 weeks under age 20)	Only 1 August is federal; others are cantonal	3 weeks in year one, then cantonal scales
Sweden	25 days	Statutory list; Midsummer Eve and Christmas Eve are de facto days off	80% from day 2; day 1 unpaid
Denmark	25 days (2.08 earned per month)	Mostly set by collective agreements	Employer pays first 30 days; municipality after
Norway	25 working days (4 weeks and 1 day)	10 national public holidays	Employer 16 days, then NAV for up to 52 weeks
Ireland	4 working weeks	10 public holidays	5 days in 2026 at 70% (up to €110 a day)
Portugal	22 working days	13 national holidays	Social security pays 55% to 75% by duration
Poland	20 days, 26 after 10 years	14 public holidays	Employer pays 80% for 33 days (14 if 50+)
Belgium	20 days on a five-day week	10 legal holidays	Employer pays first 30 days, then health fund
Austria	5 weeks, 6 after 25 years	13 public holidays	6 to 12 weeks full pay, plus 4 at half pay
Finland	2 to 2.5 days per month (30 days)	About 13 national holidays	Employer pays about 10 days, then Kela
Czech Republic	20 working days	13 public holidays	Employer pays 60% to day 14, then ČSSZ
Turkey	14, 20 or 26 days by seniority	14 full days plus 3 half-day eves	Social Security pays from day 3
Greece	20 to 26 days by seniority	14 public holidays	Employer pays 1 to 6 months by service
Romania	At least 20 working days	About 17 public holidays	Employer pays 5 days, then insurance fund
Hungary	20 days plus age and child extras	11 public holidays	Employer pays 70% for 15 days, then NEAK
Bulgaria	At least 20 working days	About 15 official holidays	Employer pays first days, then NSSI
Croatia	At least 20 working days	14 public holidays	Employer pays 70% for 42 days, then HZZO
Slovakia	4 weeks, 5 for age 33 and over	15 public holidays	Employer pays from day 1, then agency from day 11
Slovenia	At least 4 weeks (20 days)	14 public holidays	Employer pays 80% for 30 days, then ZZZS
Lithuania	20 working days	About 15 public holidays	Employer pays 2 days, then Sodra
Latvia	4 weeks (20 working days)	About 13 public holidays	Days 1 to 2 unpaid, then employer, then agency
Estonia	28 calendar days	12 public holidays	Day 1 unpaid, then employer, then fund
Luxembourg	25 working days	11 public holidays	Employer pays up to 77 days, then CNS
Cyprus	4 weeks (20 working days)	Around 15 public holidays	Social insurance from day 4
Malta	24 working days	14 public holidays	Up to 10 days paid, then social security
Russia	28 calendar days	14 non-working holiday days	Employer pays 3 days, then Social Fund
Japan	10 to 20 days by service	16 national holidays (paid status depends on contract)	No statutory paid sick leave
South Korea	15 days after year one, up to 25	About 15 public holidays, with substitute days	No statutory paid sick leave
India	Set by state law; commonly 15 to 21 earned-leave days	3 mandatory national holidays plus state festivals	Set by state law; often 7 to 12 days
Singapore	7 days, rising to 14	11 gazetted public holidays	14 outpatient and 60 hospitalisation days
Australia	4 weeks (5 for some shift workers)	8 national, plus state and territory days	10 days personal/carer’s leave
New Zealand	4 weeks after 12 months	12 public holidays, including Matariki	10 days after 6 months
China	5, 10 or 15 days by years worked	13 statutory holiday days	Varies by province; at least 80% of local minimum wage
Philippines	5 days of service incentive leave	About 19 designated holidays	No statutory sick leave; SSS benefit
Thailand	At least 6 working days	At least 13 public holidays	Up to 30 days paid by employer
Vietnam	12 working days, plus seniority	11 public holidays	Social insurance pays 75% up to 30 days
Indonesia	12 working days	About 16 to 17 national holidays	Sliding scale: 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%
Malaysia	8, 12 or 16 days by service	At least 11 gazetted holidays	14 to 22 days by service
United Arab Emirates	30 calendar days	Set by Cabinet resolution; Islamic dates move yearly	Up to 90 days: 15 full, 30 half, 45 unpaid
South Africa	21 consecutive days (15 working days)	12 public holidays	30 days over a 3-year cycle
Saudi Arabia	21 days, 30 after 5 years	About 10 paid holiday days	30 full, 60 at 75%, 30 unpaid
Israel	12 working days, rising with seniority	Jewish holiday calendar	1.5 days accrued per month
Qatar	3 weeks, 4 after 5 years	Eid, National Day, Sports Day	2 weeks full, 4 half, then unpaid
Nigeria	At least 6 working days	About 13 public holidays	Up to 12 paid days with certificate
Kenya	21 working days	About 12 public holidays	7 days full pay, 7 half pay

PTO policies in the Americas

Statutory leave runs from no federal mandate in the United States to 30 days in Brazil and Peru, with most of Latin America setting 15 days or more.

United States PTO policy

The United States is the outlier: federal law guarantees no paid vacation, no paid holidays and no general paid sick leave, so PTO is set by employer policy and state law.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	No federal minimum. Typical practice reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is about 11 days after one year, 15 after five years and 18 after ten.
Public holidays	The 11 federal holidays bind federal employers only. Most private employers give 8 to 11 paid holidays by policy.
Sick leave	No federal law. Paid sick leave comes from state and city laws, for example in California, New York and Washington, where many require 5 to 10 days a year. Maryland, Massachusetts and Oregon use accrual of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours.
Parental leave	The FMLA gives eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Paid family leave comes from state programs: California offers up to 8 weeks, and New York, New Jersey, Washington and Massachusetts up to 12.
Legal basis	Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, state paid leave laws

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: U.S. Department of Labor.

💡 Pro tip

Federal law does not require employers to pay out unused vacation at termination. That depends on state wage laws and your own policy, so write the rule into your handbook.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Canada PTO policy

Canada has no single national leave standard: federally regulated employers follow the Canada Labour Code, and everyone else follows the law of their province or territory.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Federal employees get 2 weeks after one year, 3 weeks after five years and 4 weeks after ten, with vacation pay of 4%, 6% and 8%. Ontario follows 2 weeks at 4%, then 3 weeks at 6% from year five. Saskatchewan is the outlier, with 3 weeks from year one.
Public holidays	Ten general holidays apply federally. Provinces set their own lists, and Ontario recognises nine.
Sick leave	Federally regulated employees get up to 10 days of paid medical leave a year after three months of service. British Columbia requires five paid sick days, Prince Edward Island up to three, and Ontario three unpaid, job-protected days.
Parental leave	Pregnancy and maternity leave runs roughly 15 to 17 weeks depending on the jurisdiction, with parental leave on top. Employment Insurance pays most of the benefit, not the employer.
Legal basis	Canada Labour Code and provincial employment standards acts

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Government of Canada, Labour standards.

💡 Pro tip

Check whether each employee falls under federal or provincial rules before you copy a policy across offices; the same job title can carry different entitlements.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Mexico PTO policy

Mexico doubled its minimum vacation in the 2023 “Vacaciones Dignas” reform, and employers must also pay a vacation premium on top of salary.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees earn 12 paid days after the first year, 14 in year two, 16 in year three, 18 in year four and 20 in year five. After that the entitlement grows by 2 days for every five years of service, reaching 22 days in years 6 to 10. Vacation must be granted within six months of each service anniversary.
Public holidays	Seven mandatory rest days apply under article 74 of the Federal Labor Law, including 1 January, 1 May, 16 September and 25 December, plus 1 October when a new president takes office.
Sick leave	Illness is covered by the IMSS social security system rather than directly by the employer. The benefit starts on the fourth day of incapacity at 60% of salary.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 12 weeks at full pay through IMSS, six before and six after birth by default, and fathers get 5 working days.
Legal basis	Ley Federal del Trabajo, articles 74, 76 and 80 (vacation reform in force since 2023)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ley Federal del Trabajo.

💡 Pro tip

The vacation premium is at least 25% of the salary for the vacation days taken, so budget it separately from payroll. Twelve days at a daily wage of 500 pesos, for example, generate 1,500 pesos of premium.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Brazil PTO policy

Brazil grants 30 calendar days of paid vacation after every 12 months of service, plus a constitutional bonus of one third of monthly pay.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	The right is acquired after 12 months with the same employer, and the employee receives regular salary plus one third. Vacation can be split into up to three periods, with one block of at least 14 days, and employees may sell up to one third (10 days) back to the employer.
Public holidays	There are 10 national holidays, including 20 November (Black Awareness Day). States and municipalities add their own, and employers often grant bridge days (“pontes”) by custom.
Sick leave	The employer pays the first 15 days of medical absence. After that the INSS social security institute pays a benefit.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 120 days, or 180 days if the employer joins the Empresa Cidadã program. Paternity leave is 5 days in 2026 and rises under Law 15.371/2026 to 10 days in 2027, 15 in 2028 and 20 in 2029.
Legal basis	Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT) and Federal Constitution, article 7

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT).

💡 Pro tip

Late vacation is expensive: if the employer does not grant vacation within the concession period, the vacation pay (including the one-third bonus) is owed at double rate.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Argentina PTO policy

Argentina ties vacation to seniority, from 14 calendar days for newer employees up to 35 days after 20 years of service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Up to 5 years of service: 14 days. More than 5 and up to 10 years: 21 days. More than 10 and up to 20 years: 28 days. More than 20 years: 35 days. All are calendar days, and employees with less than six months of service earn one day for every 20 days worked.
Public holidays	About 12 national holidays are in force, and employees who work on a holiday are paid double. The government often adds bridge days.
Sick leave	Paid leave for non-work illness or injury lasts 3 months (6 with dependents) for employees with under five years of service, and 6 months (12 with dependents) for those with more.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 90 days at full pay, split before and after birth (typically 45 and 45, or 30 and 60), and fathers get 2 days. After leave, employees can return, request an unpaid extension of three to six months, or resign with compensation equal to 25% of severance.
Legal basis	Ley de Contrato de Trabajo (Law 20.744), including articles 150 and 208

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ley de Contrato de Trabajo 20.744.

💡 Pro tip

An employee can add one third of the previous period’s unused vacation to the next period, so track the carried portion in your records.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Chile PTO policy

Chile grants 15 paid working days of vacation after one year of service, with public holidays counted separately.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	15 working days after one year of service, plus one extra day for every three years of work beyond ten. Unused leave can be carried forward for up to two years.
Public holidays	Around 16 to 17 paid national holidays. Some move to the nearest Monday or Friday, and regional holidays may apply, so check the official calendar each year.
Sick leave	A medical certificate is due within two days. Social security (FONASA or a private ISAPRE) pays from day 4, and the first three days are not covered by the insurer.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 18 weeks (6 before birth, 12 after). Fathers get 5 paid days, and after seven weeks the mother can transfer part of her remaining leave to the father.
Legal basis	Código del Trabajo (Labor Code), enforced by the Dirección del Trabajo.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Código del Trabajo (BCN).

💡 Pro tip

Holidays that shift to a Monday or Friday create long weekends. Load the official national calendar into your leave tool instead of relying on fixed dates.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Colombia PTO policy

Colombia gives 15 business days of paid vacation after 12 months of continuous service, and at least six of them must be taken each year.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	15 business days after 12 months of continuous service. At least six consecutive business days must be taken each year, with 15 days of advance notice. Unused days are paid out at separation.
Public holidays	18 paid public holidays a year, which do not count against vacation. Most move to the following Monday, but Easter, 20 July, 8 December and 25 December keep their dates.
Sick leave	Up to 180 days with a certificate from an EPS-recognized doctor. The employer pays the first days and social security (EPS) the rest, at about two thirds of salary; confirm the exact split locally.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 18 weeks at full pay, paid by the EPS after the employer advances it. Paternity leave is 2 weeks at full pay.
Legal basis	Código Sustantivo del Trabajo (Labor Code) and Law 2114 of 2021 for family leave.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio del Trabajo.

💡 Pro tip

Working on a public holiday carries premium pay, so flag holiday shifts before building rosters.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Peru PTO policy

Peru guarantees 30 calendar days of paid vacation after one year of continuous full-time service, one of the highest annual entitlements covered in this guide.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	30 calendar days after one year of continuous service. At least 15 days must be taken together, and the rest can be split by agreement. Unused leave can be carried forward for up to two consecutive years.
Public holidays	16 paid public holidays a year, in addition to vacation. The Ministry of Labor publishes the official calendar near the end of each year.
Sick leave	Up to 365 days a year. The employer pays full salary for the first 20 days, then EsSalud pays a subsidy from day 21 with a CITT certificate. Dismissal during valid sick leave is not allowed.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 98 days (49 before and 49 after birth). Paternity leave is 10 consecutive calendar days, extended to 20 for premature or multiple births and to 30 for severe disability or terminal congenital illness.
Legal basis	Legislative Decree 713 (paid leave), Law 26644 (maternity) and Law 29409 (paternity).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo.

💡 Pro tip

Because 15 days must be consecutive, schedule vacation blocks early to avoid gaps in coverage.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Uruguay PTO policy

Uruguay provides 20 paid vacation days after the first year and adds days with seniority.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 paid days after the first year of service, plus extra days as seniority grows.
Public holidays	Five holidays are paid days off by law: 1 January, 1 May, 18 July, 25 August and 25 December. Other national holidays follow the official calendar.
Sick leave	Social security (BPS) pays about 70% of salary for up to one year, depending on the case.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 14 weeks. Fathers get 13 paid days.
Legal basis	Law 12,590 (annual leave) and Law 19,161 (maternity and paternity leave).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social.

💡 Pro tip

Only five holidays are paid by law, so label them separately from other non-working days in your calendar.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Costa Rica PTO policy

Costa Rica grants two weeks of paid vacation after 50 consecutive weeks of work, so entitlement follows the service anniversary rather than the calendar year.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	2 weeks (14 days) after 50 consecutive weeks of work. Public holidays and weekly rest days do not count toward the 14 days, and unused days do not carry forward without a written agreement.
Public holidays	About 12 paid public holidays a year, in addition to vacation.
Sick leave	The first three days are paid at full salary, split 50% by the employer and 50% by social security. From day 4, social security (CCSS) pays about 60% of wages.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 4 months (typically 1 before and 3 after birth). Fathers get 8 days.
Legal basis	Código de Trabajo (Labor Code), enforced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social.

💡 Pro tip

Track each employee’s 50-week anniversary instead of resetting balances on 1 January.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Dominican Republic PTO policy

The Dominican Republic grants 14 working days of paid vacation after one year and 18 after five years of continuous service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	14 working days after one year of continuous service and 18 working days after five years. Vacation must be taken within six months of becoming eligible, and Sundays and public holidays are excluded.
Public holidays	12 public holidays in 2026 (8 fixed and 4 movable). Working on one usually earns double pay.
Sick leave	Paid sick leave requires a certificate from a doctor affiliated with the Dominican Social Security System (SDSS). The employer and the SDSS share payment under social security rules.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 14 weeks (98 days), paid through an SDSS subsidy with the employer covering any gap to full salary. Fathers get 2 working days.
Legal basis	Dominican Labor Code (Law 16-92) and the social security system (SDSS).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo.

💡 Pro tip

Movable holidays shift to the nearest Monday unless the law fixes the date, so refresh the calendar every year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Ecuador PTO policy

Ecuador grants 15 days of paid vacation a year, with extra days added after five years of service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	15 days a year, with one extra day for each year of service after five years, up to a maximum of 15 extra days.
Public holidays	About 11 national holidays a year, including Carnival, Good Friday and the Independence days.
Sick leave	Social security (IESS) pays a sickness subsidy with a medical certificate, generally starting from the fourth day.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 12 weeks, extended for multiple births. Fathers get 10 days of paid paternity leave.
Legal basis	Código del Trabajo (Labor Code).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio del Trabajo.

💡 Pro tip

Vacation days are calendar days that include weekends, so count them differently from working-day systems.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Paraguay PTO policy

Paraguay ties vacation length to seniority, from 12 working days up to 30 after ten years.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	12 working days after the first year, 18 after five years and 30 after ten years of service.
Public holidays	About 12 national holidays a year.
Sick leave	Social security (IPS) pays a sickness subsidy with a medical certificate, and the percentage depends on the case.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 18 weeks. Fathers get 14 days of paid paternity leave.
Legal basis	Código del Trabajo and the social security rules of the IPS.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social.

💡 Pro tip

Seniority thresholds change the balance in the year they are reached, so update balances on each work anniversary.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Bolivia PTO policy

Bolivia sets paid vacation at 15, 20 or 30 days depending on years of service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	15 working days after one year, 20 days after five years and 30 days after ten years of service.
Public holidays	About 11 national holidays a year, plus regional holidays set by each department.
Sick leave	Sickness is covered by social security health funds, which pay a percentage of salary with a medical certificate.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 90 days, split before and after birth. Fathers get 3 days of paid paternity leave.
Legal basis	Ley General del Trabajo (General Labor Law) and its regulations.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social.

💡 Pro tip

Regional holidays differ by department, so assign each employee to the right regional calendar.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Panama PTO policy

Panama grants 30 days of paid vacation for every 11 months of continuous work, one of the most generous rules in the Americas.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	30 days of paid vacation for every 11 months of continuous work.
Public holidays	About 15 national holidays a year, including the November independence holidays.
Sick leave	Social security (CSS) pays sickness benefits with a medical certificate, and the employer covers the initial days.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 14 weeks (6 before and 8 after birth). Fathers get 3 days of paid paternity leave.
Legal basis	Código de Trabajo (Labor Code).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral.

💡 Pro tip

Vacation accrues every 11 months, not 12, so anniversaries fall earlier than the calendar year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

PTO policies in Europe

Most countries guarantee four to six weeks of paid vacation, and many add long sick pay periods and extended parental leave.

United Kingdom PTO policy

UK workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, capped at 28 days, and employers may count bank holidays towards it.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	A five-day worker gets 28 days, and entitlement is pro-rated by days worked: 5.6 weeks multiplied by working days per week. Bank holidays need not be extra, so “28 days including bank holidays” leaves 20 days of free choice while “28 days plus bank holidays” gives 36. Workers with irregular hours can accrue holiday at 12.07% of hours worked.
Public holidays	There is no statutory right to time off on bank holidays. In 2026 there are 8 in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland, and premium pay for working them is contractual.
Sick leave	Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 28 weeks. Since 6 April 2026 it is paid from the first day of illness.
Parental leave	Statutory maternity pay can last up to 39 weeks within 52 weeks of leave. Since April 2026 paternity leave and unpaid parental leave are day-one rights, although statutory pay still has its own eligibility rules.
Legal basis	Working Time Regulations 1998; Employment Rights Act 2025 (record-keeping from April 2026)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: GOV.UK, Holiday entitlement.

💡 Pro tip

From 6 April 2026 employers must keep records of holiday entitlement, leave taken and how holiday pay was calculated for six years. Holiday pay must also reflect normal earnings, including regular overtime and commission.

Back to comparison | Back to top

France PTO policy

France guarantees five weeks of paid leave a year, counted either as 30 working days (jours ouvrables) or 25 business days (jours ouvrés).

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Leave accrues at 2.5 working days per month, over a reference year that normally runs from 1 June to 31 May. Counting in jours ouvrables includes Saturdays and counting in jours ouvrés does not, but either way the result is five weeks. Leave taken in one block cannot exceed 24 working days.
Public holidays	Eleven national holidays apply in mainland France, and Alsace-Moselle adds Good Friday and 26 December. By law only 1 May must be a paid day off, although most employers and collective agreements extend this to the other holidays.
Sick leave	Social security (Assurance Maladie) pays daily allowances after a 3-day waiting period, and many collective agreements require the employer to top up salary.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 16 weeks for a first or second child, 6 before birth and 10 after. Paternity leave is 25 calendar days.
Legal basis	Code du travail, articles L3141-1 and following

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Code du travail numérique.

💡 Pro tip

Employees who take at least six days of leave outside the legal 1 May to 31 October window earn 2 extra days of fractional leave, and taking 3 to 5 days earns 1 extra day, unless a collective agreement says otherwise.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Spain PTO policy

Spain sets a floor of 30 calendar days of paid vacation a year, which most companies convert to 22 working days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Vacation accrues at 2.5 calendar days per month worked, so six months of service give 15 days. Part-time employees receive the same 30 calendar days, and vacation cannot be replaced by money unless employment ends, in which case unused days are paid in the final settlement.
Public holidays	Spain has up to 14 public holidays a year: national ones, regional ones set by each autonomous community, and up to two local ones. The calendar is published every year, so check your region.
Sick leave	Temporary incapacity is paid by Social Security from the fourth day at 60% of the base salary, rising to 75% from day 21, and collective agreements often top it up. Days 1 to 3 are unpaid unless the agreement says otherwise.
Parental leave	Birth and childcare leave is 19 weeks per parent (extended from 16 weeks in 2025), paid at 100% by Social Security. Six weeks are mandatory right after birth, and the rest can be taken flexibly during the first year.
Legal basis	Estatuto de los Trabajadores, article 38 (Royal Legislative Decree 2/2015)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Estatuto de los Trabajadores (BOE).

💡 Pro tip

If an employee falls ill or starts birth leave during vacation, the affected days do not count as vacation and can be taken later. For sick leave, that window can reach 18 months after the year the leave was earned.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Germany PTO policy

Germany guarantees 24 working days on a six-day week, which equals 20 days on the usual five-day week, and most employers give more.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	The Federal Leave Act sets the minimum at 24 working days, calculated as agreed working days per week divided by 6, times 24. Part-time staff keep the same four weeks, so a three-day week gives 12 days. The full entitlement is earned after a six-month waiting period, and split leave must include at least 12 consecutive days.
Public holidays	Nine public holidays apply nationwide, including 3 October, and each state adds its own, such as Epiphany in some states and Corpus Christi in others. Holidays that fall on working days do not reduce vacation.
Sick leave	Employers continue full pay for up to six weeks of illness (Entgeltfortzahlung). After that, statutory health insurance pays sickness benefit (Krankengeld) of about 70% of gross pay.
Parental leave	Maternity protection (Mutterschutz) lasts 14 weeks, six before and eight after birth. Parents can also take unpaid parental leave (Elternzeit) of up to three years per child, with parental allowance (Elterngeld) for up to 14 months.
Legal basis	Bundesurlaubsgesetz (BUrlG), section 3

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Bundesurlaubsgesetz.

💡 Pro tip

Vacation pay is based on average earnings over the 13 weeks before leave begins, and illness proven by a medical certificate during vacation does not use up leave days.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Italy PTO policy

Italy guarantees at least four weeks of paid annual leave, and national collective agreements (CCNL) usually raise that to around 26 days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least two of the four weeks must be taken in the year the leave is earned, and the remaining two within 18 months of the end of that year (collective agreements may extend this). Leave accrues in proportion to time worked and keeps building during sickness and maternity leave. The four-week minimum can only be paid out when employment ends.
Public holidays	Italy recognises 12 national holidays, from New Year’s Day to Santo Stefano on 26 December, plus a local holiday for each town’s patron saint. Employees who work on a holiday are generally entitled to extra pay under their CCNL.
Sick leave	Sick pay is shared between the employer and the INPS social insurance body, and the duration of protected absence (periodo di comporto) is fixed by each CCNL.
Parental leave	Compulsory maternity leave is five months, paid at 80% of earnings by INPS. Fathers have 10 days of mandatory paternity leave.
Legal basis	Decreto Legislativo 66/2003, article 10; Constitution, article 36

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministero del Lavoro.

💡 Pro tip

If illness begins during vacation, the absence can be requalified as sick leave and the vacation is suspended, provided the employee sends a medical certificate and notifies the employer promptly.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Netherlands PTO policy

In the Netherlands, statutory leave is four times the weekly working hours, so 160 hours (20 days) for a 40-hour week, and an 8% holiday allowance is paid on top.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Part-timers follow the same rule: three days a week earns 12 days, and 20 hours a week earns 80 hours. Statutory days lapse six months after the end of the calendar year in which they were earned, unless the employee could not reasonably take them, while extra-statutory days normally stay valid for five years. Unused statutory days cannot be exchanged for cash during employment, but all unused days are paid when the job ends.
Public holidays	There is no general statutory right to paid public holidays. In practice contracts and collective labor agreements (CAOs) grant them, typically for New Year’s Day, Easter, King’s Day, Ascension, Whitsun and Christmas.
Sick leave	Employers must pay at least 70% of wages for up to two years of illness, with a minimum-wage floor in the first year, and many employers pay 100% in year one. Unpaid waiting days can apply if the contract provides for them.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 16 weeks at full pay funded by the UWV. Each parent can take parental leave of 26 times their weekly hours per child, with 9 weeks paid at 70%, and partners receive birth leave.
Legal basis	Dutch Civil Code, articles 7:634 (leave) and 7:629 (sick pay)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Government of the Netherlands.

💡 Pro tip

The holiday allowance of 8% of annual gross salary is usually paid in May, and employers must pay out all unused vacation, statutory and extra-statutory, when employment ends.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Switzerland PTO policy

Switzerland guarantees four weeks of paid vacation (five weeks until age 20), and sick pay follows cantonal scales rather than one national rule.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least two weeks must be taken in one block, and employers must pay regular salary during vacation. Payment in lieu of vacation is generally prohibited, except when employment ends.
Public holidays	The only federally recognised public holiday is 1 August. Others, such as Ascension or Whit Monday, are set by each canton, and a holiday is paid only if the canton or the contract provides for it.
Sick leave	The Code of Obligations guarantees three weeks of continued pay in the first year, increasing with years of service under the Bern, Zurich or Basel scales. Many employers replace this with daily-allowance insurance covering 80% of pay.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 14 weeks paid at 80% of earnings, capped at CHF 220 per day, and the second parent gets 2 weeks of paid leave. Geneva extends maternity leave to 16 weeks.
Legal basis	Code of Obligations, article 329a and following; Federal Act on Income Compensation

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Code of Obligations (Fedlex).

💡 Pro tip

Employees under 30 have a right to one week of unpaid youth leave a year for volunteer work, an easy-to-miss entitlement in the same law.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Sweden PTO policy

Sweden guarantees 25 paid vacation days, and employees keep the right to 25 days of leave even if they have not yet earned full vacation pay.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Leave runs on a qualifying year: vacation pay is earned in one year and paid in the next. Employees who have not earned 25 paid days are still entitled to 25 days of leave, with the extra days unpaid. Employees also receive a vacation pay supplement (semestertillägg).
Public holidays	Public holidays are set by law and include 1 May, National Day on 6 June and Christmas Day. Midsummer Eve and Christmas Eve are not formal public holidays but are treated as days off by collective agreements and custom.
Sick leave	Day 1 is a waiting day (karensavdrag) when pay is reduced by 20% of average weekly pay. The employer pays 80% from day 2 to day 14, and a doctor’s certificate is required after seven calendar days. From day 15 the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) takes over.
Parental leave	Parents share 480 days of parental benefit per child: 390 days at about 80% of income, up to a ceiling, and 90 days at a flat rate. Temporary parental benefit (VAB) covers up to 120 days a year to care for a sick child.
Legal basis	Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen, 1977:480); Social Insurance Code

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Swedish Work Environment Authority.

💡 Pro tip

Parents can transfer up to 45 days of their parental leave to grandparents or other close people, a flexibility that many employers overlook when planning cover.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Denmark PTO policy

Denmark gives five weeks (25 days) of paid vacation, earned and used concurrently under the Holiday Act in force since 2020.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees earn 2.08 days per month during an accrual period from 1 September to 31 August and can take paid leave as they earn it instead of waiting a year. On top of holiday pay, employees receive a holiday supplement (ferietillæg).
Public holidays	Public holidays are mainly governed by collective agreements and individual contracts rather than a single statute, and salaried employees are normally paid for them.
Sick leave	The employer pays sick pay for the first 30 days of illness. After that the local municipality takes over and reimburses the employer. Contracts can include a 120-day rule that allows termination with one month’s notice after long absence.
Parental leave	Each parent has 24 weeks of paid leave after birth for children born from 2 August 2022, and 13 of those weeks can be transferred to the other parent. The mother also has 4 weeks of pregnancy leave before the due date.
Legal basis	Holiday Act (Ferieloven), in force since 2020; Act on Sickness Benefit

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Retsinformation.

💡 Pro tip

Because the holiday year runs from 1 September to 31 August, plan leave balances on that cycle rather than on the calendar year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Norway PTO policy

Norway guarantees 25 working days of vacation, which is four weeks and one day because Saturdays count, and many collective agreements add a fifth week.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Workers over 60 get an extra week, and all employees can take 18 consecutive working days during the main summer period from 1 June to 30 September. Holiday pay (feriepenger) is at least 10.2% of the previous year’s earnings, or 12% where five weeks apply, and is usually paid in June.
Public holidays	Norway has 10 national public holidays, including 1 May and Constitution Day on 17 May, and employees are normally off on those days.
Sick leave	The employer pays 100% of salary for the first 16 calendar days, provided the employee has worked at least four weeks. From day 17 the national insurance authority NAV pays, for up to 52 weeks.
Parental leave	Parents receive about 49 weeks at full pay or about 59 weeks at 80% of income through NAV, with part of the leave reserved for each parent and the rest shared. Each parent can take 10 days a year to care for a sick child, or 15 days with more than two children.
Legal basis	Holiday Act (Ferieloven); Working Environment Act

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ferieloven (Lovdata).

💡 Pro tip

Because Saturdays count as working days, one week of vacation is six days, so convert carefully when you track leave in a five-day system.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Ireland PTO policy

Ireland sets a minimum of four working weeks of paid annual leave, plus 10 public holidays that employers can grant in several ways.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	4 working weeks a year, paid at normal pay and accruing pro rata for part-year or part-time work.
Public holidays	10 public holidays. Good Friday is not one of them. The employer can give a paid day off, an extra day of annual leave, an extra day’s pay, or a paid day off within a month.
Sick leave	Statutory Sick Pay is 5 days in 2026, paid at 70% of normal pay up to €110 a day, after 13 weeks of service and with GP certification. Legislated increases to 7 and then 10 days were deferred.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 26 weeks paid by Maternity Benefit, plus up to 16 unpaid weeks. Paternity leave is 2 weeks, and each parent gets 9 weeks of Parent’s Leave in the child’s first two years.
Legal basis	Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, Sick Leave Act 2022, Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004, and Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Citizens Information.

💡 Pro tip

Employers choose how to give a public holiday entitlement, so record which option applies to each employee.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Portugal PTO policy

Portugal guarantees 22 working days of paid vacation a year, plus 13 national holidays.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	22 working days a year. In the first year, leave accrues at two days per month worked, up to 20 days.
Public holidays	13 national holidays, plus a municipal holiday where one applies.
Sick leave	Social security pays sick pay after six months of contributions: 55% for days 1 to 30, 60% for days 31 to 90, 70% for days 91 to 365 and 75% beyond. A certificate is needed for absences over three days.
Parental leave	Initial parental leave is 120 or 150 days, which parents can share. Fathers have at least 28 paid days of paternity leave.
Legal basis	Código do Trabalho (Labour Code).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho.

💡 Pro tip

Accrual is month by month in the first year, so new hires have a smaller balance until their anniversary.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Poland PTO policy

Poland grants 20 days of annual leave, rising to 26 days at ten years of seniority, and 14 public holidays since Christmas Eve became one in 2025.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 days under ten years of seniority and 26 days from ten years. Education counts toward seniority, and up to 4 days can be taken on demand.
Public holidays	14 public holidays, including 24 December since 2025. A holiday on a Saturday entitles the employee to another day off, so the number of free days varies by year.
Sick leave	The employer pays 80% of salary for the first 33 days a year (14 days for employees aged 50 and over). The social insurer (ZUS) pays the benefit after that, for up to 182 days.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 20 weeks. Parental leave is 41 weeks, with 9 weeks reserved for each parent. Fathers get 2 weeks of paternity leave.
Legal basis	Labour Code (Kodeks pracy), art. 154 and following, with benefits administered by ZUS.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: National Labour Inspectorate (PIP).

💡 Pro tip

Holidays that fall on a Saturday create extra days off, so recalculate time-off balances every year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Belgium PTO policy

Belgium sets a minimum of 20 paid vacation days on a five-day week, based on the previous year’s work, and pays vacation pay separately.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 days on a five-day week, calculated on the prior year’s work record. New hires get a reduced entitlement in year one. Vacation pay is a separate lump sum of about 92% of a month’s gross salary for white-collar workers.
Public holidays	10 legal holidays, all paid. If one falls on a Sunday or rest day, the employee gets a replacement day.
Sick leave	Employees notify the employer on day 1 and submit a certificate within two days. The employer pays guaranteed salary for the first 30 days, then the health insurance fund pays benefits.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 15 weeks. Co-parent leave is 20 days within four months of birth. Each parent can take 4 months of parental leave per child after 12 months with the employer.
Legal basis	Federal labour and annual holiday legislation, with sector-level collective agreements able to improve on the minimums.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue.

💡 Pro tip

Entitlement depends on last year’s work, so flag reduced balances for people who joined mid-year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Austria PTO policy

Austria guarantees five weeks of paid vacation, rising to six weeks after 25 years of service, plus 13 public holidays.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	5 weeks (25 working days on a five-day week), rising to 6 weeks after 25 years of service. Unused leave carries over for two years and is paid out as a lump sum on termination.
Public holidays	13 public holidays. A public holiday during sick leave counts as a holiday, not a sick day.
Sick leave	Employer-paid sick pay depends on service: from 6 weeks of full pay for under five years to 12 weeks beyond 25 years, each followed by 4 weeks at half pay. Statutory health insurance takes over afterward.
Parental leave	Maternity protection runs 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth. Fathers can take a one-month Papamonat, and either parent can take Elternkarenz until the child’s second birthday.
Legal basis	Urlaubsgesetz (Annual Leave Act), Mutterschutzgesetz (Maternity Protection Act) and sector collective agreements.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Austrian government portal.

💡 Pro tip

The two-year carry-over and lump-sum payout on termination make accurate balances important for final pay.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Finland PTO policy

Finland builds annual leave month by month, with a protected summer leave season.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	2 days per month worked in the first leave year and 2.5 days per month after that, which adds up to 30 working days. The main leave is normally taken in the summer season.
Public holidays	About 13 national holidays a year. Working on one usually earns premium pay under the applicable agreement.
Sick leave	The employer typically pays full salary for the day of illness and the following nine days. Social security (Kela) pays sickness allowance after that, and collective agreements often extend full pay.
Parental leave	Pregnancy allowance covers about 40 working days. Each parent can take 160 working days of parental allowance, paid through social insurance.
Legal basis	Annual Holidays Act, Sickness Insurance Act and Health Insurance Act, plus collective agreements.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Finlex.

💡 Pro tip

Collective agreements often extend sick pay and leave, so check the sector agreement before setting a policy.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Czech Republic PTO policy

The Czech Republic gives four weeks of paid vacation and requires employers to schedule unused leave by the end of June the following year.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 working days a year. Unused leave carries over but must be scheduled by 30 June of the following year, or the employee can set the dates with at least 14 days’ notice.
Public holidays	13 paid public holidays, including Christmas Eve and both Christmas days. Work on a holiday earns regular wages plus a supplement of at least 100% of average earnings or equivalent time off.
Sick leave	Up to 380 calendar days. The employer pays 60% of average earnings for days 1 to 14. The social security administration (ČSSZ) pays 60% for days 15 to 30, 66% for days 31 to 60 and 72% from day 61.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 28 weeks (37 for multiple births). Fathers get 14 days of paternity leave within six weeks of birth. Either parent can take parental leave until the child turns three.
Legal basis	Labour Code (Act No. 262/2006).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

💡 Pro tip

Set a 30 June reminder so unused leave is scheduled before the carry-over deadline.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Turkey PTO policy

Turkey ties annual leave to seniority and counts several half-day holiday eves in its official calendar.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	14 days after one year of service, 20 days after five years and 26 days after 15 years. Employees under 18 or over 50 get at least 20 days.
Public holidays	14 full public holidays and 3 half-day holiday eves in 2026. Working on a public holiday earns a full extra day’s salary.
Sick leave	A medical report is required. Social Security (SGK) typically pays from the third day of illness, with at least 90 days of contributions in the last year.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 16 weeks (8 before and 8 after birth), extendable for multiple births or high-risk pregnancies. Fathers get 5 paid days.
Legal basis	Labour Law No. 4857 and the social security framework run by SGK.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

💡 Pro tip

Half-day eves are counted separately from full holidays, so load the official calendar each year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Greece PTO policy

Greece grants 20 to 26 working days of paid annual leave, depending on seniority and the length of the working week.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 working days in year 1 and 22 from year 2 on a five-day week, rising to 25 after 10 years with the employer and 26 after 25 years.
Public holidays	14 public holidays a year, with workplaces closed on the main ones.
Sick leave	Employer-paid sick leave lasts from about one month to six months depending on service, and social security (EFKA) benefits apply beyond that.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 119 days (56 before and 63 after birth), paid by EFKA, with special maternity leave of up to 9 months available. Fathers get 14 working days of paternity leave.
Legal basis	Greek labour legislation, including Law 4808/2021 on working conditions.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

💡 Pro tip

Unused leave generally has to be taken or paid out early in the following year, so plan carry-over deadlines.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Romania PTO policy

Romania guarantees at least 20 working days of annual leave and has one of the longer public holiday lists in the EU.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least 20 working days a year. Contracts and collective agreements can set more.
Public holidays	About 17 public holidays a year, listed by name in the Labour Code.
Sick leave	Up to 183 days a year with a certificate. The employer pays the first 5 days and the national health insurance fund pays the rest, at 75% or 100% of salary depending on the case.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 126 calendar days. Fathers get 5 working days of paternity leave, with 10 more after an infant-care course. Childcare leave runs up to two years.
Legal basis	Labour Code (Law 53/2003) and social insurance rules.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity.

💡 Pro tip

The employer funds the first sick days and recovers the rest from the state, so record certificates carefully.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Hungary PTO policy

Hungary starts at 20 working days of leave and adds extra days with age and the number of children.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 working days plus extra days from age 25 (up to 10 extra days from age 45) and for children: 2 days for one child, 4 for two and 7 for three or more.
Public holidays	11 public holidays a year, with occasional rest-day swaps that create long weekends.
Sick leave	The employer pays 70% of average pay for 15 days a year, and the national health insurance fund (NEAK) pays 60% afterward for up to a year.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 24 weeks. Fathers get 10 working days of paternity leave. Childcare benefits (GYED and GYES) run until the child turns three.
Legal basis	Labour Code (Act I of 2012).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Hungarian Government.

💡 Pro tip

Age and number of children both change leave entitlement, so keep both data points in the employee record.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Bulgaria PTO policy

Bulgaria guarantees at least 20 working days of paid leave and offers one of the longest paid maternity periods in Europe.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least 20 paid working days a year. Unused days carry over but expire six months after the end of the following year.
Public holidays	About 15 official holidays a year. When a holiday other than Easter falls on a weekend, the next working day is a day off.
Sick leave	Up to 180 days with a medical certificate. The employer pays the first days and the national social security institute (NSSI) pays the rest, never below the minimum daily wage.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 410 days, paid at 90% of average earnings by the NSSI. Fathers get 15 paid days of paternity leave. Unpaid parental leave is available until the child turns eight.
Legal basis	Labour Code and Social Insurance Code.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

💡 Pro tip

The carry-over limit is short, so remind employees before unused leave expires.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Croatia PTO policy

Croatia sets a minimum of 20 working days of annual leave and has a generous system of parental leave.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least 20 working days a year on a five-day week.
Public holidays	14 public holidays a year, including Easter Sunday and Monday.
Sick leave	The employer pays 70% of average salary for the first 42 days, and the health insurance fund (HZZO) covers the rest.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 98 days, starting 28 days before birth. Fathers get paid paternity leave of at least 10 working days. Parental leave is 8 months for the first or second child.
Legal basis	Labour Act (Zakon o radu).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy.

💡 Pro tip

Parental leave can be taken in parts until the child is eight, so track remaining balances per child.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Slovakia PTO policy

Slovakia provides four weeks of annual leave, with five weeks for employees aged 33 and over and those raising children.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	4 weeks (20 working days), rising to 5 weeks for employees aged 33 or over and for those caring for a child.
Public holidays	15 public holidays a year.
Sick leave	The employer pays 25% of the daily base from day 1 to day 10, and the Social Insurance Agency pays from day 11.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 34 weeks. Fathers can take 2 weeks of paternity leave. Parental leave runs until the child turns three.
Legal basis	Labour Code (Act No. 311/2001).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family.

💡 Pro tip

Leave entitlement changes when an employee turns 33, so flag birthdays that alter the balance.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Slovenia PTO policy

Slovenia requires at least four weeks of paid annual leave and sets sick pay at 80% for the first 30 working days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least 4 weeks (20 working days). Collective agreements often add more.
Public holidays	14 public holidays a year.
Sick leave	The employer pays 80% of salary for up to 30 working days, and the health insurance institute (ZZZS) pays afterward.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 15 weeks at full pay. Fathers get 30 days of paternity leave. Parents share 260 days of parental leave.
Legal basis	Employment Relationships Act (ZDR-1).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Government of Slovenia.

💡 Pro tip

Many sectors set higher leave by collective agreement, so check the applicable agreement.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Lithuania PTO policy

Lithuania guarantees 20 working days of paid leave on a five-day week.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	20 working days on a five-day week (24 on a six-day week), paid at average wage.
Public holidays	About 15 public holidays a year. Working on one earns extra pay or a replacement day off.
Sick leave	The employer pays the first two days, and the social insurance fund (Sodra) pays from day 3 at about 62% of compensated wages.
Parental leave	Maternity leave runs 70 days before birth plus 56 to 70 days after. Fathers get 30 calendar days of paternity leave in the child’s first year. Parental leave is available until the child turns three.
Legal basis	Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

💡 Pro tip

Paternity leave can be split into two parts within the first year, so track both blocks.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Latvia PTO policy

Latvia gives four weeks of paid annual leave, with the first days of sick leave unpaid.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	4 calendar weeks (20 working days on a five-day week), accruing from the start of employment.
Public holidays	About 13 public holidays a year, including midsummer.
Sick leave	The first two days are unpaid. The employer pays days 3 to 10 and the state social insurance agency pays from day 11.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 112 days. Fathers get 10 days of paternity leave. Parental leave is available until the child turns eight.
Legal basis	Labour Law (Darba likums).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Welfare.

💡 Pro tip

Midsummer and other long-weekend holidays are widely observed, so plan coverage in advance.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Estonia PTO policy

Estonia grants 28 calendar days of paid annual leave, among the longest in northern Europe.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	28 calendar days a year.
Public holidays	12 public holidays a year, including Midsummer Day.
Sick leave	The first day is unpaid. The employer pays 70% on days 2 and 3, and the health insurance fund pays 70% from day 4.
Parental leave	Maternity (pregnancy and childbirth) leave is 140 days. Fathers get 10 working days of paternity leave. Parental leave is available until the child turns three.
Legal basis	Employment Contracts Act.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Labour Inspectorate of Estonia.

💡 Pro tip

Count leave in calendar days for Estonia, which makes it look longer than working-day systems.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Luxembourg PTO policy

Luxembourg guarantees 25 working days of paid annual leave and protects sick pay for long periods.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	25 working days (five weeks) a year.
Public holidays	11 public holidays a year, including Europe Day on 9 May.
Sick leave	The employer pays full salary for the first 77 days within a reference period, and the national health fund (CNS) pays after that.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 20 weeks. Fathers get 10 days of paternity leave. Parental leave of 4 or 6 months is available to each parent.
Legal basis	Code du travail (Labour Code).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Guichet.lu, Luxembourg government.

💡 Pro tip

Parental leave is one of the longest in the EU, so confirm which option (4 or 6 months) each employee chooses.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Cyprus PTO policy

Cyprus grants four weeks of paid leave, with public holidays that follow the Orthodox calendar.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	4 weeks (20 working days on a five-day week, 24 on a six-day week).
Public holidays	Around 15 public holidays a year, many tied to the Orthodox Easter calendar.
Sick leave	The first three days are generally unpaid. Social insurance pays a sickness benefit from day 4.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 18 weeks. Fathers can take paid paternity leave of up to 2 weeks.
Legal basis	Annual Holidays with Pay Law and Social Insurance Law.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.

💡 Pro tip

Orthodox Easter dates change every year, so refresh the holiday calendar each January.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Malta PTO policy

Malta provides 24 working days of paid vacation in addition to public holidays.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	24 working days a year (192 hours for a full-time employee), in addition to public holidays.
Public holidays	14 public holidays a year. A holiday that falls on a weekend is compensated with an extra day.
Sick leave	Up to 10 working days of paid sick leave a year, with social security benefits beyond that.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 18 weeks. Fathers get paid paternity leave of up to 10 working days.
Legal basis	Employment and Industrial Relations Act and related legal notices.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Department of Industrial and Employment Relations.

💡 Pro tip

Weekend holidays create compensatory days, so check the calendar every year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Russia PTO policy

Russia grants 28 calendar days of paid annual leave, one of the clearest statutory minimums in this guide.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	28 calendar days a year. Leave can be split, but at least one part must last 14 calendar days.
Public holidays	14 non-working holiday days a year, including the January break and the May holidays.
Sick leave	The employer pays the first three days, and the Social Fund pays the rest. The rate depends on length of service, from 60% up to 100% of average earnings.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 140 calendar days (70 before and 70 after birth). There is no separate paternity leave, but either parent can take childcare leave until the child turns three.
Legal basis	Labour Code of the Russian Federation.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

💡 Pro tip

Because at least one leave block must be 14 days, check split requests against that rule.

Back to comparison | Back to top

PTO policies in Asia-Pacific

Entitlements are shorter on average than in Europe, from 5 days in China and the Philippines to four weeks in Australia and New Zealand.

Japan PTO policy

Japan grants 10 days of paid annual leave after six months of service, rising to 20 days, and employers must make sure staff use at least five days a year.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees qualify after six months of continuous service with at least 80% attendance. They receive 10 days, then 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 days from 6.5 years of service. Unused leave expires after two years, employers must keep leave records for five years, and failing to grant the mandatory five days can bring fines of up to 300,000 yen per employee.
Public holidays	Japan has 16 national holidays, but the Labor Standards Act only requires one rest day a week (or four in four weeks), so whether national holidays are paid depends on the company’s work rules.
Sick leave	There is no statutory paid sick leave for non-work-related illness. Employees usually use annual leave, and some companies provide 3 to 10 paid sick days.
Parental leave	Pregnant employees can take 6 weeks before childbirth (14 weeks for multiples) and 8 weeks after. Childcare leave can run until the child turns one, and up to two years in certain cases, with benefits from employment insurance.
Legal basis	Labor Standards Act, article 39; Act on Childcare Leave and Caregiver Leave

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

💡 Pro tip

Five of the annual leave days can be scheduled by the employer through a labor-management “scheduled paid leave” agreement. Employees took on average 10.9 of 17.6 granted days in 2022, so planning is what drives uptake.

Back to comparison | Back to top

South Korea PTO policy

South Korea guarantees 15 days of paid annual leave after one year of service with 80% attendance, increasing with tenure to a cap of 25 days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees with less than one year of service earn one day per month worked with full attendance. After one year with at least 80% attendance they receive 15 days, and the entitlement grows by one day for every two additional years of service until it reaches 25 days. The Labor Standards Act applies to workplaces with five or more employees.
Public holidays	The calendar includes Seollal (Lunar New Year), Chuseok and Liberation Day, and substitute holidays apply when a holiday falls on a weekend. The exact count changes each year because of substitute and temporary holidays.
Sick leave	The Labor Standards Act does not require paid sick leave for non-work illness, so most employees use annual leave. Work-related injuries are covered by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 90 days, or 120 for multiple births and 100 for qualifying premature births, with at least 45 days after the birth. Government wage subsidies cover part of the leave.
Legal basis	Labor Standards Act (Ministry of Employment and Labor)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Employment and Labor.

💡 Pro tip

Korean law has no specific carry-over rule, so spell out in your work rules whether unused leave rolls over or is compensated.

Back to comparison | Back to top

India PTO policy

India has no single national vacation rule: earned, casual and sick leave come from the Factories Act and each state’s Shops and Establishments Act.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Earned or privilege leave under state Shops and Establishments Acts typically ranges from 15 to 21 days a year, and under the Factories Act workers earn one day for every 20 days worked. Casual and sick leave are usually separate buckets of roughly 7 to 12 days each, and carry-forward and encashment rules differ by state.
Public holidays	Three national holidays are compulsory everywhere: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). States notify additional festival holidays, so the total varies by location.
Sick leave	State laws set sick leave. Karnataka allows up to 12 days of sick leave and 12 of casual leave, Maharashtra 8 and 8, and Delhi 12 days combined.
Parental leave	The Maternity Benefit Act gives 26 weeks of paid leave for the first two children, 12 weeks from the third child, and 12 weeks for adoption or surrogacy. It applies to establishments with 10 or more employees and requires 80 days of work in the previous 12 months.
Legal basis	Factories Act 1948; state Shops and Establishments Acts; Maternity Benefit Act 1961 (amended 2017)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Employment.

💡 Pro tip

Always check which state’s act applies to the work location, not the company headquarters; the same employee can have different leave rights in Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Singapore PTO policy

Singapore starts at 7 days of annual leave in the first year and adds one day per year of service, up to 14 days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees covered by the Employment Act earn leave after three months of service, then one more day for each year until they reach 14 days in year eight. Public holidays are separate and cannot be counted against annual leave, and mid-employment encashment is not provided for.
Public holidays	Singapore has 11 paid public holidays, and Chinese New Year counts as two of them. An employee who works on a public holiday receives an extra day’s salary or a day off in lieu.
Sick leave	After six months of service employees get 14 days of paid outpatient sick leave and 60 days of paid hospitalisation leave, the 60 including the 14. In the first months the entitlement is pro-rated, starting at 5 outpatient days after three months.
Parental leave	Citizen children qualify for government-paid maternity leave of 16 weeks and 2 weeks of paternity leave, and parents get 6 days of paid childcare leave a year for children under seven, or 2 days if the child is not a citizen.
Legal basis	Employment Act 1968 (Ministry of Manpower)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Manpower.

💡 Pro tip

The first three childcare leave days are paid by the employer and the remaining three are reimbursed by the government, so record them as a separate leave type.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Australia PTO policy

Australia’s National Employment Standards guarantee 4 weeks of paid annual leave and 10 days of paid personal and carer’s leave for full-time employees, and unused leave never expires.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Full-time and part-time employees accrue four weeks a year, pro-rated by hours, and unused leave accumulates from year to year. Many awards add a 17.5% leave loading when leave is taken. Casual employees do not receive paid annual leave.
Public holidays	There are 8 national public holidays, and each state and territory adds more. Employees can be asked to work on a holiday only if the request is reasonable.
Sick leave	Full-time employees receive 10 days of paid personal and carer’s leave a year. It accrues progressively and unused days carry over with no cap. Casuals get 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion.
Parental leave	Employees with 12 months of service can take up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave and request 12 more. The government Paid Parental Leave scheme rises to 26 weeks from 1 July 2026.
Legal basis	Fair Work Act 2009, National Employment Standards

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Fair Work Ombudsman.

💡 Pro tip

All employees, including casuals, get 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave a year from their first day, which surprises many international employers.

Back to comparison | Back to top

New Zealand PTO policy

New Zealand’s Holidays Act gives four weeks of annual holidays after 12 months, ten days of sick leave and twelve public holidays.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees become entitled to four weeks of paid annual holidays after 12 months of continuous employment, and employers are encouraged to track the balance in weeks rather than days or hours. Holiday pay is the greater of ordinary weekly pay and average weekly earnings over the past 12 months.
Public holidays	There are 12 public holidays, counting one regional anniversary day, and Matariki (Māori New Year) has been a public holiday since 2022. When a holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they are paid for it, and working it earns an alternative holiday.
Sick leave	After six months of continuous employment employees get 10 days of paid sick leave every 12 months and can accumulate up to 20 days. Sick leave can also be used to care for a sick spouse, partner or dependent.
Parental leave	Primary carers get 26 weeks of paid leave, and extended unpaid leave brings the total to up to 52 weeks. Employees also get up to 10 days of paid family violence leave a year.
Legal basis	Holidays Act 2003 (Employment New Zealand)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Employment New Zealand.

💡 Pro tip

Holidays Act pay calculations are notoriously complex, and payroll systems that are never revisited drift into underpayment, so audit the formulas every year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

China PTO policy

China ties annual leave to total years worked, not years at the current employer, and sets 13 statutory holiday days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	5 days after 1 year of work, 10 days after 10 years and 15 days after 20 years. The count is based on cumulative working years, so new hires may arrive with leave already earned.
Public holidays	13 statutory holiday days a year since 2025. They are often combined with swapped working days into longer breaks. Work on a statutory holiday earns 300% of the daily wage.
Sick leave	Medical treatment periods run from 3 months to 24 months depending on service. Sick pay varies by province, from 60% to 100% of wages and not less than 80% of the local minimum wage.
Parental leave	National maternity leave is at least 98 days, and many provinces, including Beijing and Shanghai, grant 158 days or more. Paternity leave is set by province, often around 20 days.
Legal basis	Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees, Labor Contract Law and the Special Rules on Labor Protection of Female Employees, plus provincial rules.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Government of China.

💡 Pro tip

Provincial rules vary, so confirm sick pay and parental leave in the city where the employee works.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Philippines PTO policy

The Philippines requires only five days of service incentive leave a year, but sets a long list of regular and special holidays.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	5 paid days of service incentive leave after one year of service. Unused credits are converted to cash at year end. Firms with fewer than 10 workers and some employee types are excluded.
Public holidays	Around 19 designated holidays a year. Regular holidays are paid even if not worked, while special non-working days follow no work, no pay unless company policy says otherwise.
Sick leave	There is no statutory sick leave. Employers set their own policy, and 12 to 15 days is common. For longer illness, the Social Security System (SSS) pays a sickness benefit to qualifying members.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 105 days at full pay, plus an optional 30 unpaid days. Solo parents get 120 days. Married fathers get 7 days of paternity leave, and registered solo parents get 7 days of solo parent leave.
Legal basis	Labor Code, RA 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave), Paternity Leave Act of 1996 and RA 11861 (Solo Parents Welfare Act).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Department of Labor and Employment.

💡 Pro tip

Tag each holiday as regular or special in your policy, because they are paid differently.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Thailand PTO policy

Thailand sets only six working days of annual leave by law, though many employers give more.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least 6 working days after one year of service, with many employers granting more.
Public holidays	At least 13 public holidays a year, including Songkran and Buddhist holidays.
Sick leave	Employees can take up to 30 working days of paid sick leave a year. A medical certificate may be required after three days.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 98 days, with 45 days paid by the employer and the rest by social security. There is no statutory paternity leave in the private sector.
Legal basis	Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Department of Labour Protection and Welfare.

💡 Pro tip

Many employers exceed the legal minimum to stay competitive, so benchmark against local market practice.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Vietnam PTO policy

Vietnam grants 12 working days of annual leave and adds one day for every five years of service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	12 working days a year, plus one extra day for every five years of service.
Public holidays	11 public holidays a year, including the multi-day Tet break.
Sick leave	Social insurance pays 75% of salary for up to 30 days a year for employees with under 15 years of contributions, with longer periods for longer contributions.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 6 months. Fathers get paid paternity leave of 5 to 14 working days depending on the birth.
Legal basis	Labour Code 2019 and the Law on Social Insurance.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs.

💡 Pro tip

The Tet holiday is the main peak, so plan coverage months in advance.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Indonesia PTO policy

Indonesia grants 12 working days of annual leave after a year, and employers must pay sick leave on a sliding scale.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	12 working days after 12 months of continuous service.
Public holidays	About 16 to 17 national holidays a year, plus government-designated collective leave days.
Sick leave	The employer pays 100% of wages for the first four months, 75% for the next four, 50% for the following four and 25% afterward.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 3 months, with up to 6 months in complicated cases. Fathers get 2 days of paternity leave.
Legal basis	Manpower Law No. 13/2003 as amended by the Job Creation Law.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Manpower.

💡 Pro tip

Collective leave days are announced yearly and often deducted from annual leave, so follow the official decree.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Malaysia PTO policy

Malaysia scales annual leave from 8 to 16 days with length of service, and the 2022 reform extended maternity leave.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	8 days for under two years of service, 12 days for two to five years and 16 days beyond five years.
Public holidays	At least 11 gazetted public holidays a year, plus state holidays.
Sick leave	14 days a year for under two years of service, 18 days for two to five years and 22 days beyond five years, with up to 60 days when hospitalised.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 98 days. Fathers get 7 days of paternity leave.
Legal basis	Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Human Resources.

💡 Pro tip

State holidays differ from federal ones, so apply the correct calendar to each location.

Back to comparison | Back to top

PTO policies in the Middle East and Africa

Statutory minimums vary widely, from 6 working days in Nigeria to 30 calendar days in the UAE, and employer policies often go beyond them.

United Arab Emirates PTO policy

The UAE gives 30 calendar days of paid annual leave after one year of service, plus a tiered sick leave scheme of up to 90 days.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Employees with at least one year of service receive 30 calendar days, and those with between six months and one year accrue 2 days per month. Leave is counted in calendar days, so weekends inside the leave period are included, but a public holiday that falls within leave is not deducted from the balance.
Public holidays	The UAE publishes its public holidays by Cabinet resolution. Islamic holidays such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha follow the Hijri calendar, so their dates move earlier every year and the number of days off can change.
Sick leave	After probation employees get up to 90 days of sick leave a year: the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 at half pay and the last 45 unpaid. No paid sick leave applies during probation, and a medical certificate is required.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 60 days, 45 at full pay and 15 at half pay, and it can start up to 30 days before the due date. Both parents get 5 working days of paid parental leave within six months of the child’s birth.
Legal basis	Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (MOHRE)

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

💡 Pro tip

Employees can take one unpaid pilgrimage leave of up to 30 days during their career, a leave type many global HR systems do not include by default.

Back to comparison | Back to top

South Africa PTO policy

South Africa grants 21 consecutive days (15 working days) of paid annual leave per 12-month cycle, and sick leave is counted over a three-year cycle.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Leave accrues at one day for every 17 days worked, and the employer must grant it within six months after the end of the leave cycle. Unused leave rolls into the next cycle, and if a public holiday falls inside leave, the employee gets an extra paid day.
Public holidays	There are 12 public holidays under the Public Holidays Act. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday, and employees who work on holidays are paid double.
Sick leave	Employees get 30 paid days (six weeks for a five-day week) in a 36-month cycle, not 10 days a year, and an employer cannot cap sick leave at 10 days per year. During the first six months they earn one paid day for every 26 days worked.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is four consecutive months, unpaid by the employer but supported by UIF benefits. Parents get 10 consecutive days of parental leave, and a Constitutional Court ruling extended shared parental leave to four months plus ten days.
Legal basis	Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA); Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Department of Employment and Labour.

💡 Pro tip

Employees with four months of service who work four or more days a month get 3 days of paid family responsibility leave a year, and unused days are forfeited at the end of the cycle.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Saudi Arabia PTO policy

Saudi Arabia grants 21 days of paid annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years of service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	21 days a year, rising to 30 days after five years of service.
Public holidays	About 10 paid days a year, tied to Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Founding Day and National Day.
Sick leave	30 days at full pay, 60 days at 75% and 30 days unpaid within a year.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 10 weeks. Fathers get 3 days of paid paternity leave.
Legal basis	Saudi Labor Law (Royal Decree No. M/51).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

💡 Pro tip

Eid dates move each year with the lunar calendar, so confirm the announced dates before planning.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Israel PTO policy

Israel ties annual leave to seniority and accrues sick leave by the month.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	Starts at 12 working days on a five-day week and rises with seniority.
Public holidays	Days off follow the Jewish holiday calendar, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot and Independence Day. Dates change every year.
Sick leave	Sick days accrue at 1.5 days per month, up to 90 days. Pay is 50% on days 2 and 3 and 100% from day 4.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 15 weeks of paid leave within a 26-week entitlement. Fathers can share part of the mother’s leave.
Legal basis	Annual Leave Law 1951, Sick Pay Law 1976 and Women’s Employment Law 1954.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Israeli Government.

💡 Pro tip

Holiday dates shift every year with the Hebrew calendar, so refresh the calendar before each planning cycle.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Qatar PTO policy

Qatar grants three weeks of paid annual leave, rising to four weeks after five years of service.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	3 weeks (21 days) after one year of service and 4 weeks (28 days) after five years.
Public holidays	Public holidays include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, National Day (18 December) and National Sports Day.
Sick leave	Up to 2 weeks at full pay and 4 weeks at half pay, and up to 6 further weeks unpaid, after three months of service.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 50 days. There is no statutory paternity leave.
Legal basis	Labour Law No. 14 of 2004, as amended.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour.

💡 Pro tip

Eid dates move with the lunar calendar, so refresh the holiday calendar for each year.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Nigeria PTO policy

Nigeria sets a low statutory minimum of six working days of annual leave, so employer policies often exceed the law.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	At least 6 working days after 12 months of service. Many employers give 15 to 21 days.
Public holidays	About 13 public holidays a year, including Eid holidays and Democracy Day.
Sick leave	Up to 12 working days of paid sick leave a year with a medical certificate.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 12 weeks (6 before and 6 after birth), paid at no less than 50% of wages. There is no national paternity leave.
Legal basis	Labour Act (Cap. L1).

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

💡 Pro tip

Employer policies usually set the real standard, so benchmark against local market practice.

Back to comparison | Back to top

Kenya PTO policy

Kenya sets 21 working days of annual leave and gives fathers two weeks of paternity leave.

Topic	Statutory rule
Annual leave	21 working days a year after one year of service.
Public holidays	About 12 public holidays a year, with extra holidays declared by the government.
Sick leave	After two months of service, 7 days at full pay and 7 days at half pay a year, with a medical certificate.
Parental leave	Maternity leave is 3 months. Fathers get 2 weeks of paternity leave.
Legal basis	Employment Act, 2007.

This summary is for guidance only. For the full text and the latest changes, check the official source: Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

💡 Pro tip

Extra holidays are sometimes gazetted at short notice, so subscribe to official notices.

Back to comparison | Back to top

How to manage PTO across countries

The same team can span several labor codes, so a single policy rarely fits. These practices keep a multi-country setup compliant without adding admin work.

Create one leave policy per country, with its own accrual rate, holiday calendar and sick pay rules, instead of one global default.
Track in hours when entitlement depends on hours, as in the Netherlands or for UK workers with irregular schedules.
Separate statutory days from extra days, because carry-over and payout rules often apply only to the statutory minimum.
Keep audit-ready records. The UK now requires six years of holiday records, and Japan requires five years of leave records.
Load regional holiday calendars for countries where holidays differ by state, canton or province, such as Germany, Switzerland and Canada.

EXPLORE LEAVE MANAGEMENT

Frequently Asked Questions about Global PTO

Which countries guarantee the most paid annual leave?

Spain, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates guarantee 30 calendar days, the United Kingdom 28 days, Denmark, Norway and Sweden 25 days, and France five weeks. Counting methods differ (calendar days, working days or weeks), so compare in weeks rather than days.

Does the United States require paid vacation or sick leave?

No. Federal law requires neither paid vacation nor general paid sick leave. Several states and cities require paid sick leave, and the federal FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons.

Do public holidays count toward annual leave?

It depends on the country. UK employers may count bank holidays inside the 5.6-week entitlement, while Singapore treats public holidays as separate from annual leave. In the UAE, a public holiday falling inside leave is not deducted from the balance.

Can unused vacation be paid out instead of taken?

Usually not while employment continues. Spain, the Netherlands (statutory days), Switzerland and Japan prohibit buying out the statutory minimum, and in most countries unused leave is paid when employment ends. Brazil is an exception that lets employees sell up to one third of their vacation.

Which countries have no statutory paid sick leave?

The United States has no federal requirement, and Japan and South Korea have no statutory paid sick leave for non-work illness. By contrast, Germany requires six weeks of full pay and the Netherlands at least 70% of pay for up to two years.

How long is statutory maternity leave around the world?

It ranges from 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the US FMLA to 12 weeks in Mexico, 14 in Switzerland and Germany, 16 in France, 19 per parent in Spain and 26 weeks in India. Sweden offers 480 days of parental benefit per child, shared between parents.

How often do PTO laws change?

Often. Recent examples include UK day-one Statutory Sick Pay and six-year holiday records from April 2026, Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme rising to 26 weeks from July 2026, and Brazil’s paternity leave growing to 20 days by 2029. Review each country at least once a year.

How can a team track different PTO rules in each country?

Use a leave management tool that supports a separate policy, holiday calendar and accrual rule for each country. TrackingTime’s leave management lets you configure these and keep approvals and balances in one place.