Every employee in Spain has a legal right to paid vacation days and special leaves of absence. This guide explains how annual leave is calculated and how to schedule your time off. It also covers when you can take paid leave for personal events.
Annual vacation allowance in Spain
Spanish labor law guarantees paid time off for rest. The rules are set by the Estatuto de los Trabajadores (Workers’ Statute).
Your official time off is called vacaciones anuales (annual vacations). The legal minimum allowance is 30 calendar days per year worked.
Calendar days versus working days
The law calculates vacations in días naturales (calendar days). This count includes weekends and public holidays.
However, your convenio colectivo (collective bargaining agreement) might calculate vacations in días laborables (working days). In this case, the legal minimum is 22 working days for a standard five-day workweek.
Your collective agreement can offer more vacation days, but it can never offer less than the legal minimum.
| Days worked per week | Minimum vacation days (working days) |
|---|---|
| 5 days | 22 days |
| 4 days | 18 days |
| 3 days | 13 days |
| 2 days | 9 days |
| 1 day | 4 days |
If you work for less than a year, you accumulate vacation proportionally. You earn 2.5 calendar days of vacation for each month of work.
Scheduling your vacation
You cannot choose your vacation dates unilaterally. You must agree on the dates with your employer.
Reaching an agreement
The scheduling process must follow the rules set by your collective bargaining agreement. Often, companies set specific periods when you cannot take leave due to high workload.
If you cannot reach an agreement, you or your employer can file a claim in court. A social judge will decide the dates.
Knowing your dates in advance
By law, you must know your approved vacation dates at least 2 months in advance. This notice helps you plan your travel and accommodation.
You cannot carry unused vacation days over to the next year. You must use them before December 31, unless your contract or collective agreement allows an exception.
You cannot sell your vacation days for extra money. The only exception is when your contract ends and you have unused days. Your employer will pay for these days in your final settlement. This final payment is called the finiquito (settlement payment).
The probation period (período de prueba) in Spain
Illness or medical leave during vacation
You might fall sick or have an accident before or during your vacation. Your vacation is not lost in these situations.
You must obtain a medical certificate from your public health doctor. This official certificate is called a baja médica (medical leave).
Your vacation will pause while you are on medical leave. You can take the remaining vacation days later, once you recover.
This rule applies even if the calendar year has ended. You have up to 18 months to use these paused days after the year they were earned.
Health insurance when unemployed in Spain
Special paid leaves of absence
Spanish law grants paid leave for specific personal events. These absences are called permisos retribuidos (paid leaves).
You must notify your employer in advance and provide proof afterward. The most common paid leaves are:
- Marriage or civil union : 15 calendar days.
- Moving house : 1 day. This is called a mudanza (moving house).
- Death or serious illness of a relative : 2 to 4 days, depending on whether you need to travel.
- Childbirth preparation : The time needed for prenatal exams and classes.
- Public duties : The time needed for jury duty or voting in elections.
Questions and answers
Can my employer force me to take vacation during a specific month?
Yes, but only partially. Many companies close for a week or two during summer or Christmas. Your employer can set these dates, but you must still have days you can choose freely.
What happens if I work part-time?
You get the same number of days. Part-time workers have the same vacation allowance of 30 calendar days or 22 working days. However, your daily vacation pay is proportional to your working hours.
Can I travel outside Spain during my vacation?
Yes. You can travel anywhere during your annual leave. You do not need permission from your employer or the social security office.
Are public holidays included in my vacation count?
Depends. If your vacation is calculated in calendar days, public holidays are included. If your vacation is calculated in working days, public holidays do not count as vacation days.
Can I combine paid leaves with my vacation?
No. Paid leaves are meant to cover specific events that happen while you are working. If the event happens during your vacation, you cannot extend your vacation days.
