Last updated on January 16, 2024.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in Slovakia

Vacation (Annual) Leave Quota

At least 20 days (4 weeks)

Regular employees in Slovakia are entitled to at least 20 or 25 days of paid vacation (4 or 5 weeks). The exact number of vacation days varies from 20 to 25 days based on the employee’s age and additional considerations like parental status or engagement in hazardous work.

The precise vacation entitlement for these categories depends on the type of job and the age of the employee and is as follows:

• Employees who are less than 33 years old: 20 days,

• Employees who are more than 33 years old before the end of the applicable year: 25 days,

• Employees who are parents: 25 days,

• Employees performing dangerous or difficult tasks: 25 days,

• Employees of certain professions (for example, teachers): 40 days

However, 20 days is the minimum that any employer must provide for their employees.

To be eligible for vacation leave, an employee must be working for at least 60 days at the same employer.

Employees also have the option to request extra days of vacation, which leads to a negative vacation balance, and this is allowed with their employer’s approval. Although there’s no legal restriction against unlimited leave, it’s not very common in practice. Vacation leave entitlements accumulate annually at the start of each year, and if employment initiates or concludes partially through the year, the annual leave is adjusted proportionally.

Carry Over

Allowed; may be delayed until the following year.

Unused vacation days can be transferred to the next year, but they must be utilized within that year, or they will be lost.

Employees will be compensated at their usual pay rate for any vacation days beyond the standard 20-day allotment that they are unable to use before the end of the following calendar year. However, employees do not qualify for this compensation for any unused leave within the standard 20 days of vacation, except when they cannot take these vacation days due to the termination of their employment.

Payment of Earned, Unused Vacation Upon Termination

Required by law.

Employees are entitled to be paid wage compensation for any vacation days that are not taken at the end of the employment relationship.

Sick Leave in Slovakia

Up to 52 weeks

Employees in Slovakia who are ill may have up to 52 weeks of partially paid sick leave.

Employees also have the right to take 7 days of paid leave annually for treatments and medical examinations in a clinic or hospital, provided that these treatments cannot be organized along with working hours.

The employee must present a doctor-issued medical certificate in order to have a valid sick leave.

Payout

Sick leave is partially compensated but varies in who pays and pay rate, and it depends on the duration of the leave:

• The first 3 days: 25% of the employee’s regular salary; paid by the employer.

• From day 4 to day 10: 55% of the employee’s regular salary; paid by the employer.

• From the 11th day: 55% of the employee’s regular salary; paid by the government’s social security.

Family Care Leave

Up to 7 days

Employees in Slovakia are entitled to take paid time off to assist an ill family member to a hospital or clinic for treatment or examination in cases of sudden illness, injury, or accident. This leave also includes scheduled examinations or tests, cures, or any treatments. Family care leave is granted to only one member of the family and is limited to a necessary period of up to 7 days per year.

Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave

Maternity Leave in Slovakia

34 weeks

Pregnant employees in Slovakia are entitled to up to 34 weeks of partially paid maternity leave for regular childbirth.

Maternity leave is extended in the following cases:

• 37 weeks: if a mother is raising her child alone without a father,

• 43 weeks: if a mother has multiple births (two or more children).

Maternity leave in any case may not be shorter than 14 weeks by the provisions of the law. Although the law allows for up to 8 weeks, an employee who is pregnant typically starts her leave 6 weeks before her due date.

To be eligible for maternity leave, an employee must have 60 days of service at the company.

Payout

The government (social security system) is required to pay employees on maternity leave 75% of their regular income.

Paternity Leave in Slovakia

2 weeks

Male employees in Slovakia are entitled to 2 weeks of partially paid paternity leave for the birth of the employee’s child. A father is required to begin his leave within 6 weeks following the child’s birth.

Single fathers are eligible for paternity leave up to 31 weeks. If the mother isn’t claiming maternity benefits, the father can start his 28-week paternity leave when the child reaches six weeks old, provided he has the mother’s consent.

Payout

Paternity leave is paid at the same rate as maternity leave, 75% of income.

Adoption Leave in Slovakia

28 weeks

Parents who adopt or foster a child are eligible for 28 weeks of maternity leave. This period extends to 31 weeks of leave for single parents and 37 weeks for those with 2 or more children. This leave may be taken until the child is 3 years old.

Parental Leave in Slovakia

Until child is 3 years old.

Employers are obliged to provide a father or a mother parental leave until the child turns three years of age. Any of the parents may take it. Parental leave may not be extended.

Bereavement Leave in Slovakia

3 days

Employees in Slovakia have the right to up to 3 days of paid leave in the unfortunate event of the death of a spouse or a child.

Employees are also entitled to 1 day of paid bereavement leave due to the death of a sibling, a parent, a sibling or parent of the employee’s spouse, the spouse of an employee’s sibling, a grandchild, or a grandparent. If the employee is responsible for arranging the funeral service of any of these relatives, they are entitled to 1 additional day of paid leave.

Jury Duty Leave in Slovakia

Required by law.

Employees holding a public role in addition to their job can receive up to 30 days of leave annually for this duty. This leave primarily covers roles and activities related to the court, such as experts, interpreters, witnesses, or others summoned by courts or governmental bodies.

Military Leave in Slovakia

Required by law.

Employees have a right to paid time off for military service, and the military departments will pay them. This includes 30 days of annual military leave for those performing extraordinary or alternative service during wartime. Additionally, employers must grant time off for employees to attend military-related appointments or medical inspections.

Voting Leave in Slovakia

Voting leave is not specified by law.

Public Holidays in Slovakia in 2024

Sources

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

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

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

To learn more about laws in various countries, check out our Leave Laws page.