In this article, we explain the essentials: how many days off you are entitled to, when you can take them, how vacation pay works, and what you can do to ensure that rest does not weigh on your finances.

How many days of vacation are entitled and when they can be enjoyed?

According to the Labor Code, all employees are entitled to 22 working days of vacation per year, regardless of the type of contract. The vacations refer to the work performed in the previous year and must be taken between May 1 and October 31, unless otherwise agreed with the employer.

For those who entered a new company, special rules apply:

In the first year of the contract, the worker earns 2 days of vacation for each full month of work, up to a maximum of 20 days.

This right can be enjoyed after six months of full-time work.

From the second year onwards, the full 22 working days from the previous year are already applied.

Some collective agreements may assign additional days based on seniority or attendance, so it is worth confirming the specific conditions with the human resources department.

Business days are every day of the week except Sundays and holidays, with Saturday counting as a business day for this calculation.

Holiday allowance: when and how should it be paid?

Holiday allowance is a right that complements the rest period. In practice, it corresponds to a value equal to the monthly base salary, plus any additional such as a meal allowance (if paid in cash).

Changes and deadlines:

The allowance must be paid before the start of the vacation;

Alternatively, it can be divided into twelfths (added monthly to the salary), if defined in the contract or collective agreement.

In case of contract termination, the worker receives accrued and proportional vacation days, as well as the respective subsidy.

It is important to plan the use of this extra income, many families use holiday subsidies to pay for trips, but it can also be a good opportunity to strengthen savings or pay off credits.

Tip: with the cost of living rising, use your vacation allowance strategically: set aside a portion (e.g. 20%) for leisure expenses and direct the rest to pay off debts or create an emergency fund.

Manage budget before and after vacations.

Holidays should be synonymous with rest, not financial worry. Therefore, it is essential to plan expenses in advance and avoid resorting to personal credit just to cover leisure costs.

How to prepare the budget:

Calculate the fixed expenses of the holiday month (rent, credits, services).

Determine how much you can spend without affecting mandatory commitments.

Include the holiday allowance in the equation, but do not spend it before receiving it.

In addition, the period of absence can be a good time to reduce household consumption: turning off standby devices, adjusting the thermostat, and pausing subscriptions temporarily are simple gestures that generate savings.

Upon returning, take a moment to evaluate the impact of the holidays on family finances: how much was actually spent, which costs can be avoided next year, and if there is room to strengthen the emergency fund.