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Annual Leave Calculator for Ireland

Calculates your statutory annual leave entitlement in days based on hours worked, employment pattern, and leave year dates. For full-time, part-time, and irregular hours workers in Ireland.

Your details

The start date of your employer's annual leave year. Often 1st January, 1st April, or your employment start date.

The date you started this job. If you started before the current leave year, enter the leave year start date.

Only fill if your employment ended during this leave year. Leave blank if you are still employed.

Total hours you have worked (or are expected to work) from the Leave Year Start Date. For irregular hours, use an estimate based on your contract.

Select the pattern that best matches your employment.

Number of annual leave days you have already taken in this leave year.

Your entitlement to paid time off for public holidays. Most full-time employees get it; many part-time employees qualify if they worked 40 hours in the 5 weeks before the holiday.

Result

Total Paid Time Off Entitlement 30

Your total paid time off for this leave year, combining statutory annual leave and public holiday entitlements. Rounded to whole days.

How it is calculated

Full Year Statutory Entitlement The basic statutory minimum is 4 working weeks, calculated as 20 days (4 weeks * 5 days).
20
Public Holiday Entitlement (Days) Most employees are entitled to paid time off for 10 public holidays (or an alternative day in lieu). Pro-rated if employment spans part of the year.
10
Remaining Leave to Take Total paid time off entitlement minus leave already taken. This includes any public holidays taken as leave.
25
Keep in mind
  • This calculator provides an estimate of your statutory minimum entitlement. Your contract may provide more generous leave.
  • For part-time employees, entitlement to paid public holidays depends on having worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks preceding the holiday. The calculator assumes a 'full' or 'none' entitlement based on your selection.
  • The 8% calculation uses a standard full-time working day of 7.8 hours (39-hour week). If your normal working day is significantly different, the result may be approximate.
  • Leave days are rounded to the nearest whole day. Any fraction of a day is rounded up if 0.5 or more, otherwise down.
  • Statutory annual leave and public holiday entitlements are distinct legal rights. This total combines them for convenience. Ensure you track both types of leave taken separately if required.

Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.

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Letter Requesting Annual Leave
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Annual Leave Entitlement in Ireland

In Ireland, your right to paid annual leave is set out in the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. All employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and casual workers, are entitled to a minimum period of paid annual leave. This leave is separate from your entitlement to paid public holidays.

How is Annual Leave Calculated?

Your statutory minimum annual leave is the greater of:

  • 4 working weeks (typically 20 days for a 5-day week).
  • 8% of the hours you work in a leave year, subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks.
  • For part-time employees who work at least 117 hours in a month, 1/3 of a working week for each month in that leave year.

A "leave year" is set by your employer, often starting on 1st January, 1st April, or on the anniversary of your employment start date. If you start work or finish work part-way through a leave year, your entitlement is pro-rated based on the time you were employed.

In addition to annual leave, most employees are entitled to paid time off for 10 public holidays (since 2023, including St Brigid's Day). Part-time employees qualify if they have worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks before the holiday.

Example Calculation

Sarah works part-time, regularly working 130 hours per month. Her leave year runs from 1st April to 31st March. She started her job on 15th June.

  • She works at least 117 hours per month, so the "1/3 of a week per month" method applies.
  • From 15th June to the next 31st March is approximately 9.5 months. 9.5 months * (1/3 week) = about 3.17 weeks.
  • 3.17 weeks * 5 days = ~15.8 days from this method.
  • The 8% method must also be checked, but in this case, the 1/3 rule gives the greater entitlement.
  • Her entitlement is capped at the pro-rated statutory minimum (20 days * proportion of year employed).
  • She is also entitled to public holidays for the portion of the year she works (10 days * proportion).
  • Her total paid time off will be the sum of her annual leave days and her public holiday days.

Common Situations

Full-time employees: You are generally entitled to 20 days of annual leave plus 10 public holidays, making a total of 30 paid days off for a full year.

Part-time employees with regular hours: Calculate using the 8% rule or the 1/3 rule if you work 117+ hours monthly. Your public holiday entitlement depends on your hours worked in the qualifying period.

Irregular hours or casual work: The 8% rule is typically used. Keep a record of your hours worked to calculate your entitlement accurately.

What to Do After Calculating Your Leave

Once you know your entitlement, you should formally request your leave from your employer. It's good practice to submit a written request well in advance. Our Letter Requesting Annual Leave can help you structure this request professionally, ensuring you include all necessary details such as dates and a plan for covering your duties.

If you are an employer drafting a new contract, or an employee reviewing one, ensure the annual leave clause meets at least the statutory minimum. Our Contract of Employment tool can help create a legally sound document tailored to Irish law.

Frequently asked questions

How many days annual leave am I entitled to in Ireland?

Most full-time employees are entitled to at least 20 days of annual leave plus 10 public holidays, totalling 30 paid days off per year. Part-time and irregular hours employees' entitlement is calculated based on hours worked.

How do you calculate holiday pay for part-time workers?

Holiday pay is generally your normal weekly pay for the time you are on leave. For part-time workers, it's calculated based on the average hours you worked in the 13 weeks before taking leave. The number of leave days is calculated using the 8% rule or the 1/3 rule.

Can my employer refuse my annual leave request?

Yes, an employer can refuse a request for annual leave, but they must have a good business reason for doing so and should allow you to take your entitlement at another time within the leave year (or within 6 months of the next leave year if that's not possible).

What happens to my annual leave if I leave my job?

You are entitled to be paid for any annual leave you have accrued but not taken up to your termination date. This is often called 'leave pay in lieu'. Your employer cannot force you to take annual leave during your notice period unless you agree.

Do bank holidays count as annual leave?

No. In Ireland, public holidays (bank holidays) are a separate entitlement. You are entitled to paid time off for 10 public holidays (or an alternative day or paid compensation) if you qualify. These days are not deducted from your annual leave allowance unless you choose to take them as part of your leave.

I work irregular hours. How is my leave calculated?

For employees with very irregular hours, the 8% method is standard. Calculate 8% of the total hours you work in the leave year. Then, divide that number of hours by your average working day length to get an approximate number of days. This is capped at the pro-rated equivalent of 20 days.

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