Paid Time Off (PTO) in Montenegro

Last updated on January 1, 2024.

Vacation Leave Quota

20 days

Employees in Montenegro are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid vacation. Workers who have a 6-day workweek are entitled to a minimum of 24 days of vacation.

The national vacation policy, which guarantees employees at least 20 days, is the same as leave laws in Serbia, as it is in most European countries. However, in some European countries, this vacation entitlement is longer, for example Denmark and France.

Paid vacation accumulates on a monthly basis, at the rate of 1.66 vacation days per month.

Carry Over

Allowed; until June 30 of the following year.

An employee is required to take 10 days of vacation in the current year, and the rest can be rolled over to the next year. However, these transferred days must be taken before June 30; otherwise, they expire.

Sick Leave in Montenegro

Unlimited

The duration of sick leave could be defined as unlimited, so there is no quota. But, generally, the upper ceiling of paid sick leave is 365 days.

In order to have justified leave, an employee must present to their employer an official medical certificate on at least 3rd day of sickness or injury.

An employer may be required to let his/her employee take paid leave to attend to an ill close family member if a collective agreement or contract stipulates so.

Payout of Sick Leave

The employer pays for the first 60 days.

The entitlement to pay during temporary work incapacity due to illness or injury depends on how long sick leave is and is as follows:

• The employer pays 70% salary compensation during the first 60 days of sick leave;

• If sick leave lasts longer than 60 days, the salary compensation from the 31st day is paid by the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in Montenegro

98 days (+ parental leave up to 365 days)

A pregnant employee in Montenegro is eligible for 98 days of paid maternity leave.

These 98 days may be taken:

• 28 days before the anticipated date of delivery;

• 70 days after the birth of a child.

After her maternity leave is over, a mother can take a parental leave of up to 365 days.

Salary Reimbursement During Maternity Leave

100% of regular wages

Although it is the employer who initially pays an employee during her maternity leave, they can claim reimbursement from the government.

The Law on Health Insurance prescribes the ways and conditions for obtaining the right to maternity leave, as well as the conditions for salary reimbursement on this basis.

A pregnant woman acquires the right to maternity leave by obtaining a medical certificate from her chosen doctor, which she then brings to her employer. These certificates serve to reimburse the employer for the amount of salary paid to the pregnant woman during the duration of her leave.

Paternity Leave in Montenegro

No statutory paternity leave.

At this point, there is no legal mandate for paternity leave. However, an employee who has become a father can take advantage of sharing parental leave with the mother.

Parental Leave in Montenegro

365 days

Parental leave is the right of each of the parents to take leave from work to care for the newborn child for up to 365 days. Both parents may use parental leave equally, but not at the same time.

Parental leave can begin following maternity leave and can last until the child is one year old.

Bereavement Leave in Montenegro

An employer might be required to provide bereavement leave in the event of a death in the family if the employment contract or collective agreement stipulates this provision.

Jury Duty Leave in Montenegro

Jury duty leave is not specified by law.

Military Leave in Montenegro

Military leave is not specified by law.

Voting Leave in Montenegro

Voting leave is not specified by law.

Public Holidays in Montenegro for 2024

7 public holidays = 14 days long

Although Montenegro recognizes only 7 national holidays, they last a total of 14 days.

Each of these holidays lasts for 2 or 3 days:

• New Year’s Day: 2

• Orthodox Christmas: 3

• International Labor Day: 2

• Orthodox Easter: 2

• Independence Day of Montenegro: 2

• Statehood Day: 2

• Njegos Day: 2

A complete list of official holidays celebrated in Montenegro:

Sources

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

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide Montenegro, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/Montenegro/

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

4. Maternity Leave; Salary reimbursement for employers (in Montenegrin), https://www.asistent.me/trudnicko.html

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