In Lithuania, employees are typically entitled to 20 working days of annual leave. However, for those working a 6-day week, the entitlement increases to 24 working days. Part-time workers' entitlement is calculated proportionally based on the hours they work. It's crucial to remember that a portion of an employee's annual leave must consist of a minimum of 10 consecutive working days, or 14 days for those on a 6-day workweek.

Extra Vacation Leave

Certain employees may be entitled to additional vacation days. For example, an employee receives three extra working days of vacation leave after 10 years of continuous service with an employer. After each subsequent five-year period, employees gain one additional working day of leave.

Special categories of employees receive 35 calendar days of vacation leave. These include employees under 18, single parents raising a child under 14 (or under 18 if the child is disabled), disabled employees, and employees in specific occupations facing mental, emotional, nervous stress, professional risks, or other qualifying conditions.

Vacation Scheduling and Other Considerations

Employees generally become eligible for their full vacation entitlement after six months of continuous employment. Annual leave schedules are established in collective agreements or mutually agreed upon between the employer and employees. Unused vacation can be carried over to the following year, but it cannot be exchanged for financial compensation.

Lithuania celebrates a mix of national, historical, and religious holidays throughout the year.

National Holidays

Lithuania commemorates several significant events in its history with national holidays. These include:

• Restoration of Independence Day (February 16th): This day marks the anniversary of the 1918 declaration of Lithuania's independence from Russia.
• Restoration of the State of Lithuania Day (March 11th): This day commemorates the 1990 act that re-established Lithuania as an independent nation from the Soviet Union.
• Statehood Day – Anniversary of King Mindaugas Coronation (July 6th): This holiday honors King Mindaugas, the first and only king of Lithuania, who formed the state in 1253.

Religious Holidays

Lithuania, being a predominantly Christian country, also observes several religious holidays:

• Easter Sunday and Easter Monday: These two days celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the Christian calendar. The dates vary annually.
• Christmas Eve (December 24th): This day is a time of preparation for Christmas, with traditional family dinners and religious significance.
• Christmas (December 25th and 26th): These two days celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity.
• Assumption Day (August 15th): This day marks the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life, a Catholic observance.
• All Saints' Day (November 1st): This Catholic holiday is dedicated to honoring all saints.

Other Notable Days

In addition to national and religious holidays, Lithuania also celebrates other notable days:

• Joninės (St John's Day) (June 24th): This is a Midsummer's Day celebration with roots in pagan traditions.

In Lithuania, labor laws, primarily set out in the Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania, provide employees with various types of leave entitlements.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to 20 working days annually (24 if working a 6-day week). Additional leave is possible for specific categories of employees or based on length of service. The scheduling of the leave is determined by employer-employee agreement or collective agreements.

Sick Leave

The employer generally covers the first two days of illness. From the third day onward, the Social Insurance Fund (Sodra) provides sickness benefits for a period determined by a doctor, if eligible.

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave lasts for 70 calendar days before childbirth and 56 calendar days after childbirth. This may be extended in cases of complications or multiple births. Women receive a maternity allowance, typically calculated as a percentage of their income.

Paternity Leave

Paternity leave lasts for 30 calendar days within the child's first month after birth. Fathers receive paternity benefits, calculated similarly to maternity allowances.

Parental Leave

Parental leave lasts up to two years per child with the option to divide the leave between parents. A percentage of income is provided by Sodra if eligibility criteria are met.

Other Types of Leave

Unpaid leave is possible for various reasons, including caring for sick family members, education, or other personal matters. This is subject to employer agreement. Bereavement leave lasts up to 3 days for the death of a close family member. Marriage leave lasts up to 3 days.

The Lithuanian Labour Code and other associated laws outline specific regulations and eligibility requirements for each type of leave.