Managing employee leave and vacation time is a critical aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Serbia. Serbian labor law provides clear guidelines on various types of leave, ensuring employees receive adequate rest, time off for personal matters, and support during significant life events such as illness or the arrival of a new child. Understanding these entitlements is essential for employers to maintain legal compliance and foster a positive working environment.
Employers in Serbia must adhere to statutory minimums for annual leave, recognize official public holidays, and provide specific types of leave including sick leave and comprehensive parental leave. Navigating these requirements can be complex, particularly for foreign companies expanding into the Serbian market. Familiarity with the specific regulations for each type of leave is key to effective workforce management and compliance with the Labor Law of the Republic of Serbia.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Serbia are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of annual leave per calendar year. The exact number of days can be increased based on criteria specified in the collective agreement or employment contract, such as length of service, working conditions, qualifications, and contributions to the work.
Annual leave is generally taken in parts, but the first part must consist of at least two consecutive weeks during the calendar year. The remaining days can be used by June 30th of the following year. Leave entitlement is calculated proportionally if an employee works for less than a full calendar year with an employer.
Public Holidays
Serbia observes several public holidays throughout the year. On these days, employees are generally entitled to time off with pay. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to increased compensation as stipulated by law.
Here are the public holidays observed in Serbia in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1-2 | New Year |
| January 7 | Christmas (Orthodox) |
| February 15 | Statehood Day |
| February 16 | Statehood Day (Day 2 - if Feb 15 is Sat) |
| April 18 | Good Friday (Orthodox) |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday (Orthodox) |
| April 21 | Easter Monday (Orthodox) |
| May 1-2 | Labour Day |
| May 9 | Victory Day |
| November 11 | Armistice Day in World War I |
Note that if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically observed as a non-working day.
Sick Leave
Employees in Serbia are entitled to paid sick leave due to illness or injury. The duration and compensation for sick leave depend on the length of absence and the cause.
- For absences up to 30 days, compensation is typically paid by the employer. The amount is generally 65% of the employee's average salary in the 12 months preceding the month of absence, unless the illness or injury is work-related, in which case it is 100%.
- For absences exceeding 30 days, compensation is paid by the health insurance fund. The amount is also generally 65% of the average salary, or 100% for work-related illness or injury.
Employees are required to provide a doctor's certificate (doznaka) to justify their absence due to illness or injury.
Parental Leave
Serbian law provides comprehensive parental leave entitlements, primarily covering maternity, paternity, and childcare leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to maternity leave, which starts up to 45 days before the expected delivery date and must start at least 28 days before. Maternity leave, combined with subsequent childcare leave, lasts for a total of 365 days for the first and second child. For the third and subsequent child, the total duration of maternity and childcare leave is two years. During maternity leave, employees receive compensation based on their average earnings in the 12 months preceding the start of the leave, paid by the state.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to 7 days of paid leave upon the birth of a child. This leave is separate from the mother's maternity and childcare leave.
- Childcare Leave: Following the expiration of maternity leave, the mother (or father, under certain conditions) is entitled to childcare leave until the total duration of maternity and childcare leave reaches the statutory limit (365 days or two years). Compensation during childcare leave is also paid by the state, based on average earnings.
- Adoption Leave: Employees who adopt a child are also entitled to leave, the duration of which depends on the child's age and is generally aligned with childcare leave entitlements.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the main categories, Serbian labor law recognizes other types of paid leave for specific personal circumstances:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave in case of death of a close family member (spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.). The duration is typically 5 working days.
- Marriage Leave: Employees are entitled to 5 working days of paid leave for their own marriage.
- Moving Leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave for moving, typically 2 working days for moving within the same settlement and 5 working days for moving to another settlement.
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing further education related to their work may be granted paid or unpaid leave for exams or other study-related activities, as agreed upon with the employer or stipulated in a collective agreement.
- Unpaid Leave: Employees may request unpaid leave for personal reasons, subject to the employer's approval. The duration and conditions are determined by agreement.
