Vacation Time In Austria: How Much Can You Get?

Austria has a lot to offer, from its famous ski resorts to its bustling cities, and it's also a country that values time off. Employees in Austria are entitled to a minimum of five weeks of paid annual leave, which equates to 30 calendar days off if you include Saturdays as working days. This entitlement increases to six weeks, or 36 calendar days, after 25 years of service. In addition to this, Austria celebrates 13 public holidays throughout the year, including Christmas and New Year, which are marked by festive markets and glühwein. Expectant mothers are required to take 16 weeks of maternity leave, with the option to extend this with professional medical approval. Fathers are entitled to a 'family time bonus', which is a monetary benefit for those dedicating their time to their family.

Annual leave for full-time employees

In Austria, employees are entitled to a minimum of 25 to 30 days of paid annual leave each year, depending on their working week. Those who work Monday to Saturday, a typical Austrian working week, are entitled to 30 working days of paid annual leave. Employees who work Monday to Friday are entitled to up to 25 working days of paid annual leave. This entitlement applies to all employees, including part-time workers.

The working year for annual leave starts on the date the employee begins their job, and in the first year, the leave entitlement is calculated in proportion to the time worked. From the start of the seventh month, employees receive their full leave entitlement, and from the second year, the full leave entitlement accrues from the beginning of the working year. Employees must agree with their employer when they may take their leave, and employers must ensure their employees have sufficient opportunities to use up their annual leave.

Additionally, after 25 years of service, employees are entitled to up to 36 working days of paid annual leave. Employees can also take educational or study leave after six months of uninterrupted employment, with a minimum period of two months and a maximum of one year. During this time, employees will not be paid but will receive a training allowance from the Employment Service.

In Austria, there are also various types of special leave, including sick leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave. Sick leave is paid, and employees must inform their employer as soon as they become ill. Maternity leave is 16 weeks, with 100% payment, and paternity leave is unpaid for one month, taken immediately after the baby is born.

Maternity leave

In Austria, the protection period for pregnant employees, known as "Mutterschutz", typically begins eight weeks before the due date and ends eight weeks after the birth. During this time, there is an absolute employment prohibition, and the employee must not work. The maternity allowance paid is usually in line with the expectant mother's last three net salary payments or childcare benefit payment before the period of maternity leave. For those on low incomes, a fixed rate of €11.87 per day applies as of 2025.

Maternity allowance will continue to be paid if a specialist physician imposes a ban on employment that starts before maternity leave or extends beyond it. If the baby is born earlier than expected, the maternity leave will generally be extended accordingly, up to a maximum of 16 weeks. In the case of multiple births, premature births, or births by caesarean section, a hospital certificate is required to confirm the extension of maternity leave.

In addition to maternity leave, parents in Austria are entitled to parental leave until their child reaches the age of 24 months, provided they live in the same household. The minimum period of parental leave is two months, and during this time, parents can draw childcare allowance ("Kinderbetreuungsgeld"). There are five models of childcare allowance to choose from, including an income-based option and monthly lump sums.

Paternity leave

Austrian law does not provide for statutory paternity leave. However, fathers are entitled to a 'family time bonus', which is a monetary benefit for employed fathers who dedicate their time to their family. Fathers in Austria may take one month of unpaid paternity leave after the birth of their child. To receive this time off, fathers must take their leave immediately after the baby is born while the mother is still on maternity leave, and they must announce their intention to take paternity leave at least three months in advance.

Mothers and fathers are entitled to parental leave (release from work in return for suspension of wages/salary) until the child reaches the age of 24 months, provided the parent in parental leave lives in the same household as the child. The minimum period of parental leave is two months. During parental leave, provided the conditions are satisfied, parents may draw a childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld). Since 1 January 2010, parents have been able to choose from five models of childcare allowance: one is income-based, while the others provide a monthly lump sum.

Compassionate leave is also available to employees to care for severely ill children or to be with dying relatives, or they may reduce or rearrange their working hours in such cases. Employees are also entitled to take time off work to care for family members living in the same household and will continue to receive pay under certain conditions. This time off for care responsibilities is granted for one week, with an additional week per calendar year possible if a child under the age of 12 falls ill and requires care.

Study leave

In Austria, employees can take study leave or educational leave. This is an agreement between an employer and an employee that can be made after a minimum of six or seven months of uninterrupted employment. The minimum period of study leave is two months, and the maximum is one year. If the employee takes their leave in parts, each part must be at least two months long, and the total duration must not exceed one year. A new period of study leave cannot be taken until four years after the start of the previous period.

During study leave, the employee's pay will be reduced or unpaid. However, the employee will receive a further training allowance from the Employment Service (AMS) equivalent to the level of unemployment benefit to which they are entitled. To qualify for these benefits, employees must fulfil the requirements under unemployment insurance law and provide proof of participation in a qualifying training course. This could include providing evidence of examinations conferring credit worth four semester hours per week or eight ECTS credits.

In addition to study leave, employees in Austria are entitled to a minimum of five weeks of paid annual leave each year, or 30 calendar days if you include Saturdays as working days. After 25 years of service, this entitlement increases to six weeks or 36 calendar days.

Bereavement leave

Employees in Austria are entitled to a generous amount of paid time off for various purposes, including bereavement leave. Bereavement leave specifically pertains to time off in the event of a death in the immediate family. Here is what you need to know about bereavement leave in Austria:

Employees in Austria are entitled to paid bereavement leave, typically ranging from 1 to 3 days. This time off is intended to allow individuals to grieve and make necessary arrangements following the loss of a loved one. The specific number of days granted may vary depending on the organisation and the employee's specific circumstances.

Special Leave:

Parental Leave:

In addition to bereavement leave, it is important to note that Austria also offers comprehensive parental leave. Both mothers and fathers have the right to take extended time off after the birth of a child, and their jobs are protected during this period. Maternity leave, or "Mutterschutz," typically begins eight weeks before the expected due date and ends eight weeks after the mother gives birth. During this time, mothers receive maternity pay, known as "Wochengeld," which is calculated based on their average income in the preceding 13 weeks. Fathers are also entitled to take unpaid paternity leave for one month after the birth of their child, but it must be taken immediately after the baby is born while the mother is still on maternity leave.

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Austria recognises the importance of supporting employees during difficult times. In addition to bereavement leave, employees can also take paid carer's leave, known as "Pflegefreistellung," to care for sick family members or address unexpected childcare needs. This type of leave ensures that individuals can balance their work commitments and personal responsibilities, especially during challenging periods.

Discussing Leave with Employers:

It is important to note that while employees in Austria have robust leave entitlements, it is standard practice to discuss potential vacation dates and leave requests with your employer well in advance. Providing sufficient notice allows your employer to plan for your absence and approve your time off. Open communication and advance notice are key aspects of effectively utilising your bereavement leave and other types of leave in Austria.

Frequently asked questions