Last updated on July 28, 2026.

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Nota bene: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, with its capital Kinshasa, whose laws we cover in this article, distinguishes itself from the neighboring Republic of the Congo (capital Brazzaville).

Republic of the Congo leave laws are covered in a separate section of our blog.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Vacation Quota (Annual Leave)

At least 12 days.

Employees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are entitled to at least 1 vacation day for each month of work. This means that employees receive at least 12 days of vacation per year.

The exact number of vacation days is determined according to their age:

• Employees over 18 years old receive a minimum of 1 day of paid vacation for each month of service, totaling 12 days per year
• Employees under 18 receive a minimum of 1.5 days of paid vacation for each month of service, totaling 18 days per year.

This vacation entitlement increases by 1 additional day per month for every five years of service.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for these vacation days, an employee must have served at least 1 full year for the employer.

Payment of Unused Vacation on Termination

Cashing out of vacation leave is not allowed except during termination.

DR Congo leave laws state that employees are entitled to payment for unused vacation leave upon termination. An employer must provide this payment within 2 days after the end of the employment contract.

Sick Leave in the DR Congo

Up to 6 months.

Employees in DR Congo who are ill or injured are entitled to up to 6 months of sick leave. While on sick leave, the employee’s contract is put on hold, yet they still accumulate their leave entitlements.

Employment contracts are protected from termination during the first six months of illness or injury suspension, after which employers may proceed with termination upon proper notice.

Payout

During sick leave, employers are required to pay two-thirds (66,6%) of the employee’s regular wages.

(Some collective agreements may provide higher pay in the initial period.)

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in the DR Congo

14 weeks of partially paid leave.

A pregnant female employee in DR Congo is entitled to 14 weeks of partially paid maternity leave.

Maternity leave contains two parts:

• Prenatal (before the birth): 6 weeks;

• Postnatal (after the birth): 8 weeks.

Termination of an employee during maternity leave is strictly prohibited.

Payout

During the whole duration of 14 weeks of maternity leave, employees receive two-thirds (66.6%) of regular salary and continue to receive all other employment benefits.

To be eligible for paid maternity leave, an employee must have six months of continuous service. If an employee does not have six months before the due date, she is entitled only to unpaid leave.

Paternity Leave in the DR Congo

2 days

There is no paternity leave as such required by DR Congo leave laws. However, an employee who has become a father is entitled to 2 working days of so-called circumstantial leave, after his wife has delivered a child.

Bereavement Leave in the DR Congo

4 days

Employees are entitled to 4 working days for the death of their spouse, a parent, or a family member who is in the first degree.

Employees are also entitled to 2 working days in the event of the death of a family member who is in the second degree.

Jury Duty Leave in the DR Congo

There is no legal definition of jury duty leave because juries don’t exist as such in the DR Congo.

Military Leave in the DR Congo

There is no law defining military leave.

Voting Leave in DR Congo

Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.

Marriage Leave in the DR Congo

2 days

Employees in DR Congo have the right to take 2 working days for their marriage.

Employees are also entitled to 2 working days for the marriage of their child.

Public Holidays in DR Congo

9 national holidays

Every year, DR Congo observes 9 public holidays with Congolese Genocide Day added since 2024, which generally last 12 days (some of them are celebrated for 2 or even 3 days). The Ministry of Labor announces the duration of these celebrations, which can extend over multiple days, at the year’s end for the next year. Employers are mandated to provide holiday pay and a day off, but only for the first day during any extended holiday period, as per national regulations.

A complete list of official holidays celebrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on a Saturday.

Sources

1. Local Laws & Regulations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo

2. Congo, Democratic Republic of the - Working time - 2011, https://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/travmain.sectionReport1?p_lang=en&p_structure=2&p_year=2011&p_start=1&p_increment=10&p_sc_id=1001&p_countries=CD&p_print=Y

3. DRC PEO & Employer of Record, https://wehireglobally.com/republic-of-the-congo/

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