Leave Laws
Last updated on May 29,2026.
Paid Time Off (PTO) in El Salvador
Vacation (Annual Leave) Quota
15 days (paid at 130% of the regular wages)
Employees in El Salvador receive a minimum of 15 days of paid vacation leave each year. The company must pay these vacation days at 130% of the regular employee’s wages.
Eligibility
Employees are eligible for vacation leave after 12 months at the company or 200 workdays in a year. They are also entitled to a bonus after completing one year of service.
The calculation of vacation leave privileges occurs from 12 December to 12 December each year.
Taking a Vacation Leave
Annual leave may not start on a day off or a day of a public holiday. If a weekly rest day or a public holiday falls within the annual leave, they don’t extend the total duration of leave.
Carry Over
Unused vacation days can’t be carried over, cashed out.
Employees cannot carry forward vacation days not taken during the year into the following year. These unused days of annual leave may not be cashed out and are considered lost.
PTO Payout at Termination
Must be paid.
If an employment contract ends due to the employer, or if the employee is fired without cause by December 12, the employee must receive a payout and a bonus for the work completed until the termination, as well as any unused vacation days.
Sick Leave in El Salvador
Up to 26 weeks
Employees in El Salvador are eligible for up to 26 weeks of partially paid sick leave. The employer covers the first three days, and the Social Security system of El Salvador covers the rest.
Social Security may cover disabled employees for up to one full year.
Payout of Sick Leave
75% of the employee’s basic salary
Sick leave payment in El Salvador is based on the duration of service in the company:
1 to 5 months of employment:
- 20 days of sick leave
- 75% of the employee’s basic salary per day
5 months to 1 year of employment:
- 40 days of sick leave
- 75% of the employee’s basic salary per day
1 year or more of employment:
- 60 days of sick leave
- 75% of the employee’s basic salary per day
Sick Leave due to Occupational Disease/Injury
Employees who are disabled because of an unfortunate occupational accident or disease are entitled to extended benefits:
-
For temporary or full disability, the employee must receive at least 50% of their salary during their sick leave.
-
In the event of a fatal injury, surviving family members are eligible for periodic payments equal to 40% of the deceased salary.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Maternity Leave in El Salvador
16 weeks
Female employees in El Salvador are permitted to take up to 16 weeks of partially reimbursed maternity leave. Maternity pay is 75% of an employee’s standard salary.
At least 6 weeks of leave are to be used before the due date and 10 weeks after childbirth. Leave may last longer in the period before birth if a pregnancy-related condition occurs.
A pregnant woman is required to present an official medical certificate that shows her pregnancy status and also the expected date of the birth of a baby.
A pregnant employee may not be imposed physically demanding work after the fourth month of pregnancy.
Payout
Maternity leave is paid paid at rate of 75% of the employee’s regular salary, by El Salvador Social Security.
Paternity Leave in El Salvador
3 days
An employee who became father either biologically or by adoption is allowed 2 working days of paid paternity leave. This leave is permitted in the first 15 days after childbirth or adoption. To qualify, an employee must provide their manager or superior with a birth certificate or adoption order.
Paternity leave in El Salvador is defined by law as emergency family leave.
Bereavement Leave in El Salvador
2 days
An employee who has lost a close family member is entitled to a maximum of 2 days of paid bereavement leave per month, and up to 15 days per year. However, this leave falls under emergency family leave.
Jury Duty Leave in El Salvador
Jury duty leave is not specified by El Salvador leave laws.
Military Leave in El Salvador
El Salvador lacks specific legal frameworks that grant protected leave to employees called to voluntary or mandatory military service. Therefore, employers are under no statutory obligation to provide paid time off, hold jobs open indefinitely, or make up differences in pay. El Salvador leave laws do not mandate employers to reinstate employees after they return from active duty.
However, in practice, military leaves are often handled by mutually agreeing to an unpaid temporary suspension of the contract, though this depends completely on employer discretion rather than statutory rights.
Voting Leave in El Salvador
Employers are required to provide their workers with time off to vote during the workday. Preventing this right is electoral fraud, punishable by four to six years in prison. Companies must fully comply and document all voting leave.
Public Holidays in El Salvador
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year |
| Movable: In spring - Three days before Easter Sunday (*) | Maundy Thursday |
| Movable: In spring - Two days before Easter Sunday | Good Friday |
| Movable: In spring - A day before Easter Sunday | Holy Saturday |
| Movable: In spring - varies each year | Easter |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 10 | Mother’s Day |
| June 17 | Father’s Day |
| August 6 | Feast of San Salvador |
| September 15 | Independence Day |
| November 2 | All Souls’ Day |
| December 25 | Christmas |
(*) - The dates of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter vary each year according to the Christian liturgical calendar.
Sources
- Local Laws & Regulations, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/el-salvador
- Payroll and Benefits Guide El Salvador, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/el-salvador/
- Definitive Guide to Hiring in El Salvador, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/el-salvador
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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