Paid Time Off (PTO) in Armenia

Last updated on December 29, 2023.

Vacation Leave Quota

28 days

A national PTO policy guarantees to employees in Armenia 28 days of paid vacation. This standard vacation is also called minimum annual leave. However, some employees are entitled to longer vacation leave. Half-time employees are also entitled to vacation leave.

Vacation time is very generous compared to other leave laws in Europe. Only employees in countries like Denmark, France, and the United Kingdom have this high number of vacation days.

Three Types of Vacation Leave

There are 3 types of vacation, depending on the nature of the employee’s work:

• Minimum Annual Leave: 28 days
• Extended Annual Leave: up to 35 calendar days
• Additional Annual Leave

Minimum Annual Leave is a standard vacation for most employees, and it is 28 days (previously mentioned in the 1st paragraph). Employees become eligible for a vacation after working continuously for 6 months at the same company.

Extended Annual Leave goes up to a maximum of 35 days. This special leave is intended for employees exposed to significant mental or emotional stress, or performing in high-risk health conditions (for example, working in hazardous conditions). The Government of Armenia determines the specific categories of these employees.

Additional Annual Leave is intended for workers:

• Performing in potentially harmful and dangerous conditions;
• Working under irregular shift schedules;
• Doing certain kinds of work under special arrangements.

The Government of Armenia also establishes which specific categories of employees are eligible for additional annual leave and the minimum length of this leave.

Carry Over

In case an employee is prevented from taking a vacation leave in the year, unused days will be carried over to the following year, by mutual agreement between an employer and an employee.

Payout

The employer is required to pay the average wage to employees during their vacation. This is determined by multiplying the employee’s average daily salary by the number of vacation days.

Cashing out vacation days is not allowed, except in the case of termination of employment.

Payout of Unused Vacation on Termination: Employees who have not used all of their vacation days because of the end of employment will receive financial compensation. This compensation for unused vacation days is given upon termination of the employment contract, regardless of duration.

Sick Leave in Armenia

Up to 120 days

Employees can take sick leave, which can last up to 120 days.

For work-related injuries or sicknesses, employees return to work when they are healthy. Employees on sick leave are eligible for full benefits.

If the absence is due to a work-related injury or illness, employees can continue work once they have fully recovered.

Payout

Pieces of information about who pays for sick leave that are provided in English on the Internet have contradictory meanings. But what seems right is that the law requires that the employer pays for the first 5 days of an illness. From the 6th day and after sick leave is paid by social security. The payment also varies in rate, which depends on its duration.

Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Parental Leave

Maternity Leave in Armenia

140 days (fully paid).

Regular maternity leave in Armenia is 140 calendar days. 70 calendar days may be used prior to the childbirth and 70 calendar days after the birth.

In cases of complications during childbirth, maternity leave is extended to 155 calendar days (70 prenatal / 85 postpartum).

For twins or triplets, maternity leave is extended to 180 calendar days (70 prenatal / 110 postpartum).

Maternity leave is calculated at the beggining and provided in its entirety to the pregnant woman. In the event of an early birth, any unused maternity leave days will be carried over to the postpartum leave period.

A pregnant employee is protected from dismissal during her maternity and parental leave.

Payout

Maternity leave is paid by the employer at the rate of 100% of the average wage.

Paternity Leave in Armenia

5 days (fully paid).

An employee who becomes a father is allowed 5 days of paternity leave, which can be taken at any point within a month following the birth of their child.

Payout

The employer also pays paternity leave; 100% of the average salary.

Adoption Leave in Armenia

70 days

An employee who is adopting a baby or becoming a legal guardian is entitled to leave, which lasts 70 days after the adoption or guardianship.

Payout

Adoption leave is paid in the same manner as maternity and paternity leave.

Parental Leave in Armenia

Parental leave may be taken before the child reaches 3 years old; by a father (or stepfather), mother (or stepmother), grandfather, grandmother, or any other close relative or legal guardian actively raising the child. Parental leave may be taken for one continuous period or in divided parts.

Bereavement Leave in Armenia

3 days (unpaid)

An employer must grant their employees 3 days of unpaid leave in case of a close family member’s death for bereavement and funeral attendance.

Jury Duty Leave in Armenia

Paid leave

An employee is entitled to paid leave when participating in public or state duties:

• when called upon as a witness, expert, victim, specialist, or interpreter by the court;
• when partaking in court sittings or hearings.

Military Leave in Armenia

Military leave is not specified by law.

Voting Leave in Armenia

Voting leave is not specified by law.

Marriage Leave in Armenia

3 days (unpaid)

An employee getting married is entitled to 3 days of unpaid leave.

Public Holidays in Armenia

10 official non-working holidays

There are 10 official public holidays in Armenia, lasting for 12 days in total, because New Year’s celebration lasts for 3 days.

A list of public holidays recognized and celebrated by Armenia:

Sources

1. Official Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia (Translation provided by the Armenian authorities), https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-REF(2021)026

2. National Labour Law Profile: Republic of Armenia, https://www.ilo.org/ifpdial/information-resources/national-labour-law-profiles/WCMS_158891/lang–en/index.htm

3. Definitive Guide to Hiring in Armenia, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/armenia

4. Payroll and Benefits Guide Armenia, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/armenia/

5. Local Laws & Regulations of Armenia, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/armenia

6. Country Guide, https://www.remotepass.com/country/armenia

Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.