Statutory annual leave

What is Statutory annual leave?

Statutory annual leave is the minimum paid holiday an employer must give by law; under the EU Working Time Directive that minimum is four weeks, which is 20 days for a five-day week, and many countries set more.

The four-week EU minimum is a floor, not a ceiling. National law and collective agreements often add days, and public holidays are usually counted separately, so always check the local rule.

Related terms

• Pro-rata holiday entitlement
• Public holidays