Large disparities in holiday entitlements between EU member states

HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENTS

Large disparities in holiday entitlements between EU member states

Holiday entitlements can vary by up to 16 days depending on where you live in the EU, according to research by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

When added together, minimum statutory annual leave and public holidays range from as many as 44 days in some countries to just 28 in others.

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The average leave and public holiday entitlements across all 27 EU states is 34 days, with little difference between Eastern and Western Europe. Employees in Finland benefit from 44 days' holiday, while those in France and Lithuania receive 40 days. In contrast, staff in the UK, Netherlands and Romania are allowed just 28 days off.

The figures are based on statutory entitlements for an employee working five days a week, with 10 years' service.

Annual leave

• The minimum number of days' annual leave ranges from 20 to 30.
• Those countries that mandate just 20 days (the minimum laid down by the European Union) include Belgium, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and UK, while Finland and France give 30 days.
• The average across the EU is 23 days.
• In practice, employers offer more generous leave allowances but this will be driven by industry and often seniority.

Public holidays

• Across the EU, numerous different dates are observed nationally as public holidays, yet many of these are observed by no more than one or two member states. This is in addition to the many regional holidays granted in some states.
• There are also wide variations in the local implementation of employment practices governing public holidays.
• EU citizens typically have a statutory right to public holidays, with the exception of France, Sweden and the UK. Employers in these countries usually grant public holidays, but they are within their rights to ask employees to work, or take them as part of their annual leave entitlements.

Special leave

• In addition to annual leave and public holidays, employers in some EU states are required by law to give special leave for getting married, or for the death of a spouse or close relative, for example.
  
• Even when there is no requirement, many larger employers provide additional leave for special circumstances.

A final word

"Holiday entitlements are a lottery, with some countries offering over 60% more days off than others. Even though efforts have been made to harmonise employment practices in the EU, there are still large disparities in holiday allowances between the member states." - Mark Sullivan, worldwide partner at Mercer.

Want to know more?

This research is primarily based on information from Mercer's Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines (WBEG) reports. The WBEG reports are available in five volumes (Americas, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Middle East & Africa), which contain country-by-country information on employment conditions, statutory benefits and typical benefits practices.

For further information, please visit www.imercer.com/wbeg

Take a look at the press release online, including a table containing holiday entitlements in EU countries, at www.mercerhr.com/pressrelease/details.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1267495

Mercer Human Resource Consulting is a “global leader for HR and related financial advice and services”. It has more than 15,000 employees serving clients in more than 180 cities and 42 countries and territories worldwide. To find out more visit www.mercerhr.com.