11 Jun 2026
Annual leave in Ireland is paid time off work that employees are legally entitled to each year. Under Irish employment law, most workers qualify for paid annual leave, helping them maintain a healthy work-life balance and protect their workplace rights.
Whether you are full-time, part-time, temporary, or casual, understanding your holiday entitlement in Ireland is important. According to the 2025 Annual Leave Report by FRS Recruitment, more than 35% of Irish workers did not use all their annual leave in 2024, showing the importance of proper leave planning and employee wellbeing.
Annual leave is paid holiday time that employees earn while working. In Ireland, annual leave rights are protected under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Most employees are entitled to 4 weeks of annual leave each year. It is separate from public holidays and other statutory leave such as bank holidays and various types of family leave.
A working week means the number of days you usually work. For example, if you work 3 days a week (30 hours), your annual leave is also based on 3 days. Employers may offer extra leave, so always check your contract of employment.
Most employees are entitled to paid annual leave from the start of employment, including:
| Employee Type | Annual Leave Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Full-time employees | Up to 4 weeks |
| Part-time workers | Based on hours worked |
| Temporary workers | Eligible |
| Casual employees | Eligible |
| Agency employees | Eligible |
Annual leave entitlement is generally based on the number of hours worked during the leave year. The statutory leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Under Irish law, employees can receive up to 4 working weeks of paid annual leave each year. Most full-time employees receive approximately 20 paid leave days annually.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) provides guidelines on annual leave entitlements and outlines three main methods for annual leave calculation.
Employees who work at least 1,365 hours in a leave year generally qualify for the full 4-week entitlement.
Employees working at least 117 hours in a month may earn one-third of a working week of leave for that month.
Many part-time employees earn annual leave equal to 8% of their hours worked, up to a maximum of 4 working weeks.
Employers must include all worked hours when calculating annual leave, including statutory leave such as certified sick leave, maternity leave, carer's leave, adoptive leave, parental leave, and others. Employees continue to accrue annual leave during these periods. After 8 months of employment, employees are entitled to take at least 2 consecutive weeks of annual leave.
If an employer's employment contract offers more than the legal minimum, this is allowed by law.
Employees must be paid their normal wage during annual leave. This may include:
Payment arrangements are often explained in employment contracts or company policies.
The employer decides when annual leave is taken, while taking account of employee needs and workplace requirements, including:
Employers should consult employees at least one month before the leave dates. Employers also have discretion to approve or deny leave requests.
A minimum of two weeks' notice is commonly recommended for leave requests.
As part of employees’ wider leave entitlements and family leave protections, employees continue to accrue annual leave during certain statutory leave.
You continue to build annual leave during:
These rights are protected in an amendment under Irish employment law.
Unused annual leave can sometimes be carried forward depending on agreement. When leaving a job, employees must be paid for any unused leave.
Ireland has ten statutory public holidays each year, separate from annual leave entitlements. Employees who have worked at least 40 hours in the previous five weeks are eligible for public holiday benefits.
Public holiday entitlements include:
Employees can request how public holiday benefits are given by notifying their employer at least 21 days in advance.
If there is a problem with your annual leave rights:
For more details on annual leave, contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Information and Customer Service.
Employees should avoid:
To make the most of your annual leave:
Annual leave plays an important role in employee wellbeing and productivity. Paid time off helps workers rest, maintain mental health, and improve work-life balance.
A recent Irish workplace survey also found that around 59% of workers support a four-day work week to improve flexibility and reduce burnout.
Understanding employee holiday rights helps workers:
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Part-time employees usually earn annual leave based on the number of hours they work.
Yes, unused annual leave may sometimes be carried forward depending on workplace policies and circumstances.
Yes, employees are entitled to receive their normal pay during annual leave.
Yes, paid annual leave is a statutory employee right under Irish employment law.
Yes, temporary and casual workers can also earn paid annual leave based on hours worked.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, tax, business, or financial advice. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of ACE Money Transfer. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no warranty is given as to the completeness, accuracy, or currency of the information. Services and practices mentioned may vary by provider and jurisdiction. Readers should consult qualified professional advisors before making any financial or business decisions.
