Not Just Holidays: All Cases When You Can Get a Day Off in Lithuania

Lithuanian employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of annual leave per year, provided they work five days a week. Those on a six-day schedule receive 24 days, while others get at least four weeks off. During this leave, employees are paid their average wage, according to the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI).

Annual leave can be split into parts, but one segment must be at least 10 working days long. The timing of leave is determined by mutual agreement between the employee and employer, with the employee proposing dates and the employer deciding based on work organization. Employers cannot unilaterally decide when an employee takes leave.

For the first year of employment, full annual leave is typically granted after working half the number of workdays for the year. However, exceptions allow for leave before six months of continuous employment if requested by the employee. In subsequent years, leave can be taken at any time according to a workplace schedule, usually set between June 1 and May 31, unless otherwise specified in collective agreements.

Employees working overtime may receive additional rest time instead of higher pay, if they request it. This rest time must be at least as long as the overtime hours worked and is subject to employer agreement. Additionally, employees with long-term continuous service at the same company can earn extra days off. After 10 years, employees gain 3 extra days, with one more added for every subsequent 5 years. These additional days are usually taken with annual leave but can be arranged separately. If eligible for multiple types of additional leave, employees typically choose one, as they are not cumulative unless laws state otherwise.

Unpaid leave is an option for employees who have exhausted their annual leave or need extended time off for personal reasons. While granted upon employee request, employers are not always required to approve it. The Labour Code outlines specific situations where unpaid leave may be granted.