Nepal Leave Laws & Holidays

Last updated on July 6, 2026.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in Nepal

Vacation (Annual Leave) Quota

1 day of vacation for every 20 days of work.

After working for a year in Nepal, employees get paid vacation time (aka annual leave). They accrue (accumulate) one day of paid vacation leave for every 20 days they work, which is approximately 18 days per year. Their vacation pay equals at least half a day’s basic salary.

Additionally, employees receive a full month’s basic salary each year as a festival bonus, which can be used for celebrations related to their religion, culture, or traditions. If an employee hasn’t worked a full year by the time the festival bonus is paid, they’ll receive a portion (pro rata) of the bonus based on how long they’ve been employed.

Rollover

Employees can save up their earned leave:

• Vacation leave for up to 90 days;
• Sick leave for up to 45 days.

PTO Payout at the Termination

If an employee in Nepal has saved up more than 90 days of annual leave or 45 days of sick leave by the end of the year, they will receive payment for the extra days based on their current basic salary. If an employee’s service ends, they will be paid for unused leave. In the unfortunate event of the employee’s death, their family will be compensated for any unused accumulated leave.

Sick Leave in Nepal

12 days

Employees in Nepal are entitled to 12 days of paid sick leave per year, after completing one year of service, as well as 13 days of bereavement leave. As for those employees who have worked for less than a full year, they are still entitled to sick leave, but the amount is proportional to their length of service (pro rata).

If an employee is sick for more than three consecutive days, they must provide their employer with a doctor’s note.

Sick leave can be accrued up to a maximum of 45 days.

Payout

At the end of each year, an employer is required to pay employees if they possess unused sick leave beyond the 45-day limit. Likewise, if an employee leaves their job, they must be paid out for any unused accumulated sick leave.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in Nepal

14 weeks

Female employees receive up to 14 weeks of maternity leave, which is partially paid by an employer, and extends to before or after delivery.

They receive a minimum of 60 days of maternity leave paid by the employer. Additionally, they also have the option to take an extra 38 days which are paid by Nepal’s Social Security Fund if they desire to extend their leave. This leads to a total of 98 days, which is 14 weeks.

An employee who is pregnant is required to begin their maternity leave at least two weeks before their due date and must take at least six weeks off after giving birth. If the mother or baby’s health requires it, they can take an additional month of unpaid leave, provided they have a medical certificate.

Stillbirth or Miscarriage Leave

If a pregnancy ends in a miscarriage or stillbirth in the seventh month or later, this employee is still entitled to the same maternity leave benefits as if she had delivered a live birth.

Paternity Leave in Nepal

15 days

A male employee, after becoming a father, is entitled to paid paternity leave, up to 15 days.

Bereavement Leave in Nepal

13 days.

Employees in Nepal are entitled to 13 days of bereavement leave (mourning leave). This leave includes the death of a spouse, parent, child, or parent-in-law.

Payout

Bereavement leave is fully paid.

Jury Duty Leave in Nepal

Jury duty leave is not specified by law. Nepal does not have jury system; all cases are decided by professional judges.

Military Leave in Nepal

Military leave is not specified by law. Nepal has no conscription: the Nepal Army and Armed Police Force are all-volunteer. Civilian employees seeking leave for military-related reasons must rely on their employer’s discretion or take unpaid days.

Voting Leave in Nepal

Voting leave is not specified by law. However, employees get election days off anyway: the government routinely declares polling days public holidays. So employees are free and paid to vote.

Public Holidays in Nepal

Nepal has the most public holidays in the world, with around 35-36 days per year.

Nepal recognizes three official calendar systems: the Nepal Sambat (the main national calendar), the Vikram Samvat (used for Hindu holidays), and the Gregorian calendar (used for international events and holidays).

National and International Holidays:

Religious Holidays

Hindu Holidays

• Prithvi Jayanti
• Maghe Sankranti
• Sonam Losar
• Ghyalpo Losar
• Prajatantra Diwas
• Maha Shivaratri
• Ghode Jatra
• Ramjan Edul Fikra
• Nepali New Year
• Ram Navami
• Loktantra Diwas
• Ganatantra Diwas
• Edul Aajaha
• Raksha Bandhan
• Gai Jatra
• Gaura Parba
• Shree Krishna Janmashtami
• Hartalika Teej
• Nijamati Sewa Diwas
• Rishi Panchami
• Indra Jatra
• Ghatasthapana
• Fulpati
• Maha Ashtami
• Maha Navami
• Vijaya Dashami
• Ekadashi
• Dwadashi
• Kojagrat Purnima
• Laxmi Puja
• Govardhan Puja
• Bhai Tika
• Chhath Puja
• Guru Nanak Jayanti
• Udhauli Parva
• Tamu Losar

Islam Holidays

• Eid al-Fitr
• Eid al-Adha

Bhuddist Holidays

• Buddha Jayanti

Christian Holidays

• Christmas

Sources

1. Local Laws & Regulations, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/nepal

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide Nepal, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/nepal

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

4. Government of Nepal - Nepal Law Commission (option in English), https://www.lawcommission.gov.np/

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