EU Minimum Annual Leave Rights
Comprehensive guide to minimum annual leave rights across the European Union. Understand the baseline protections and how different countries exceed the EU minimum.
EU Minimum Standard
The EU Working Time Directive guarantees all workers a minimum of 4 weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave per year. This is a fundamental right that cannot be replaced by payment except on termination.
Leave by Country
Most EU countries exceed the minimum: Austria (5 weeks), Sweden (25 days), France (5 weeks), Denmark (5 weeks), Germany (minimum 20, typically 25-30), Spain (30 calendar days), Netherlands (20 minimum, typically 25).
Key Principles
Leave must be paid at your normal rate. Leave cannot be bought out during employment. Unused leave generally must be carried over. Part-time workers receive proportional entitlement.
Your Rights
Regardless of contract type (permanent, temporary, part-time), you're entitled to minimum annual leave. Employers cannot use financial incentives to discourage taking leave.