How many statutory vacation days am I entitled to?

Minimum Number of Vacation Days 

It's simple. If you work, you get vacation days. The more you work in a year, the more vacation days you build up for the next year. You accumulate vacation days in the year you work – that’s called the work year. You then take these days in the following year, known as the vacation year. 

The minimum number of vacation days is determined as follows:

1.  Did you work a full year in a typical 5-day workweek? You're entitled to 20 vacation days.
2. Do you work full-time in a 6-day workweek? You're entitled to 24 vacation days.
3. Do you work part-time or didn’t work the full year? You accumulate vacation days based on the amount of time you worked. 

 

For example: do you work 4/5ths of a 5-day week? Then you're entitled to 16 vacation days (4/5 of 20 vacation days). 

Good to know: In addition to vacation days, you also have rights to public holidays. An extra 10 days – also a nice bonus.

 

Vacation Days by Employment Status

Not everyone is in the same situation. Therefore, the number of vacation days can differ depending on your job status. We explain everything clearly below. 

 

Vacation Days for Laborers Do you work as a laborer?

Then your number of vacation days depends on how much you worked the previous year and certain non-working days that still count, like sick days or maternity leave. 

The exact number of vacation days you get also depends on your work schedule. Want to know the exact number? Check out the National Office for Annual Vacations site; they have a handy table showing how many vacation days you get per day worked.

 

Vacation Days for Employees 

Do you work full-time as an employee in a 5-day week? Then you're entitled to 20 vacation days if you worked a full year. 

Vacation days are always calculated based on a 6-day workweek, which comes down to 2 vacation days per worked month, totaling 24 days yearly. If you work 5 days a week, this converts to 20 days off (5/6ths of 24 vacation days).

Did you work less than a year? Then you accumulate vacation days per month worked. Vacation Days for Temporary Workers Whether you work fixed hours or as a temporary worker, you’re entitled to vacation days. Just like permanent employees, the number of days depends on how much you worked the previous year.

 

Vacation Days for Temporary Workers 

Whether you work fixed hours or as a temporary worker, you’re entitled to vacation days. Just like permanent employees, the number of days depends on how much you worked the previous year. 

Are you a laborer? You receive your vacation pay from the National Office for Annual Vacations (NOAV). 

Are you an employee? Your temporary agency pays your vacation pay. In our blog about vacation pay, you'll read how it's calculated and when it’s paid out. 

 

Vacation Days for Flexi-Workers 

Do you work a flexi-job? You're entitled to vacation, although it works a bit differently than with a regular job.

You build up vacation days with your flexi-employer and take them there as well. Your vacation pay isn't paid out separately; it's already included in your salary (7.67%). 

 

Vacation Days for Students Do you work as a student? 

You don’t get paid vacation days because you don’t pay full social contributions. 

Just graduated and starting your first job? You might be able to use youth vacation. This lets you take up to four weeks off in the year after your studies, even if you haven’t built up enough vacation days yet. 

Note: The youth vacation pay is only 65% of your gross salary, calculated based on the first month you take this holiday. Read the conditions here. 

 

What If You Haven't Built Up Enough Vacation Days? 

Did you accumulate too few vacation days last year due to unemployment, illness, or because you just started working? You may be eligible for extra vacation, also known as European vacation.

You can take up to 4 weeks of paid vacation. The vacation pay you get counts as an advance on next year’s double vacation pay. Read the conditions in this blog. 

 

What If You Get Sick?

Are you sick during your vacation? You don’t just lose those days. Visit a doctor, notify your employer immediately, and make sure you have a doctor's note. This way, your sick days won’t count as vacation days, and you can take that vacation later. 

 

Can You Carry Over Vacation Days?

 In principle, you must take your vacation days before December 31st of the vacation year. If you don't, you'll lose them.

 Since 2024, in certain cases, you can carry your vacation days over to the next two years.

 This is allowed only if you couldn’t take vacation due to force majeure:

1.   Work-related accident or occupational disease
2. Private accident or illness
3. Maternity leave
4. Birth leave
5. Adoption leave
6. Foster care leave
7. Prophylactic leave (due to contact with a contagious disease) 

 

Note: This isn't a free choice. You can only postpone vacation if you truly had no other option. So plan wisely and don’t wait until the last minute. 

 

Ready for Vacation? 

How many vacation days you get depends on your situation and your work from the previous year. But one thing is certain: if you work, you deserve a break. And you’ve earned it. 

What about vacation pay? Like vacation days, you're also entitled to vacation pay. The same principle applies here. Your work situation from the previous year determines how much vacation pay you receive. 

 

Want to know more? 

Questions about your vacation days as a temporary worker? Contact your nearest office. Still looking for a job that suits you? Check out our vacancies here.