Leave Laws
Last updated on June 28, 2026.
Paid Time Off (PTO) in Iran
Vacation Leave Quota (Annual Leave)
1 full month
Employees in Iran are entitled to 1 full calendar month of paid vacation per year (this includes 4 Fridays). For employment periods shorter than a full year, the number of vacation days is proportionally adjusted based on the specified months of actual work during that year.
Certain categories of employees are entitled to more days of annual leave. This includes, for example, employees working in difficult and dangerous jobs who are entitled to 5 full weeks each year.
The scheduling of vacation is determined through a mutual agreement between each employee and their employer. In case a dispute arises, the issue will be sent to the Office of Labour and Social Affairs.
Labor Law Provisions
Provisions of the labor law regarding vacation, pilgrimage leave, holidays, days off, and other types of PTO are from articles 62 to 74 of the act about labor conditions.
Carry Over
Carryover in Iran is allowed, but employees may transfer only 9 days (from the full vacation entitlement) from one year to the following one.
Payment of Unused Vacation Upon Termination
An employee must be paid for all unused vacation days in the event of termination, redundancy, disability, retirement, or any other way of canceling an employment contract.
Special Leave for Pilgrimage
1 month of unpaid leave (only once in total employment)
Iran leave laws also specify a requirement of 1 month of unpaid leave for all employees once in their career to take the Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Sick Leave in Iran
Not specified.
The number of days for sick leave is not specified by law. Article 74 concerning Iran leave laws Iran only states that the time spent on sick leave will be counted as part of the employee’s service and retirement with the acceptance of the a social insurance organization. Labor law doesn’t put a fixed limit on how many paid sick days an employee can take. Instead, the duration and coverage are handled directly by the Iranian Social Security Organization.
Payout
Sick leave in Iran is paid by the Social Security Organization. For the first three months, an employee will usually get their full salary. After that, payment depends on how long an employee is on sick leave and what their employment contract says.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Maternity Leave in Iran
9 months
A pregnant female employee in the private sector is entitled to 9 months of partially paid maternity leave. A minimum of three months must be taken postnatally (after the birth), while the remaining time of leave can be used during the rest of the pregnancy.
Maternity leave must be counted as part of an employee’s service history, the same as sick leave. Upon their return after maternity leave, employees must be provided with the same job position.
The Labor Law of Iran initially defined maternity leave in articles 75–79. However, maternity leave was extended from 6 to 9 months in 2013.
Payout
During the maternity leave period, an employee receives two-thirds of their regular salary. According to Iran leave laws, the social insurance organization is responsible for covering this payment.
Paternity Leave in Iran
Not required by law.
There are no Iran leave laws governing paternity leave in the private sector. However, employees in public or government organizations are entitled to 2 weeks of paternity leave.
Bereavement Leave in Iran
3 days
All employees are entitled to 3 days of paid bereavement leave in the unfortunate event that their father, mother, spouse, or child dies.
Jury Duty Leave in Iran
Not accessible on the Internet, please consult offline sources.
Military Leave in Iran
When an employee is called up for compulsory military service, their employment contract is suspended. Once their service ends, they have up to two months to return to their old job. If their exact position has been eliminated in the meantime, the company must place them in a similar job.
Voting Leave in Iran
Not accessible on the Internet, please consult offline sources.
Marriage Leave in Iran
3 days
Any employee who is getting married is entitled to 3 days of paid marriage leave for the wedding.
Public Holidays in Iran
Around 25 public holidays.
The standard workweek in Tehran is from Saturday to Wednesday, while Thursdays and Fridays are days off. In more rural areas, employees often work a half day on Thursday. However, Iran leave laws state that Fridays are days off with pay.
Iran has one of the highest number of public holidays, approximately 22–25 days. Since the Islamic calendar determines the majority of these holidays, their dates change every year. Labor Day (aka International Workers’ Day), observed on May 1st, is one of the legal holidays for employees in addition to national holidays. A worker who performs his duties on specified holidays is eligible for overtime compensation.
A complete list of official holidays celebrated in Iran:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Movable according Islamic calendar (*) | Birthday of Imam Ali |
| Movable (*) | Mabaath |
| February 11 | Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution |
| Movable (*) | Birthday of Imam Mahdi |
| March 20 | Oil Nationalization Day |
| March 21 to March 24 | Novruz Holiday |
| Movable (*) | Martyrdom of Imam Ali |
| April 1 | Islamic Republic Day |
| April 2 | Sizdah Bedar |
| Movable (*) | Eid al-Fitr |
| Movable (*) | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq |
| June 4 | Death of Imam Khomeini |
| June 5 | Khordad National Uprising (1963); aka Revolt of Khordad |
| Movable (*) | Eid al-Adha |
| Movable (*) | Eid al-Ghadir |
| Movable (*) | Tassoua |
| Movable (*) | Ashura |
| Movable (*) | Arbaeen |
| Movable (*) | Death of Prophet Muhammad |
| Movable (*) | Martyrdom of Imam Hasan |
| Movable (*) | Martyrdom of Imam Reza |
| Movable (*) | Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Asgari |
| Movable (*) | Birthday of Imam Sadeq |
| Movable (*) | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
| Movable (*) | Martyrdom of Hazrat Fatemah |
(*) - Dates are movable each year due to the Islamic lunar calendar.
Sources
-
Iran Employment Contract: Everything You Should Know, https://legamart.com/articles/iran-employment-contract/
-
Employment Arrangements In The Islamic Republic Of Iran, https://www.mondaq.com/employee-rights-labour-relations/589242/employment-arrangements-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran
-
Maternity Leave in Iran, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maternity-leave-iran-mahnaz-mehrinfar/
Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.
This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For current and accurate guidance, please consult legal counsel in your jurisdiction.
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