Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a crucial aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Lithuania. Understanding the local labor code provisions ensures that businesses meet their legal obligations regarding time off, covering everything from standard annual leave to specific provisions for sick days, parental responsibilities, and other personal circumstances.
Lithuania's legal framework provides clear guidelines on various types of leave, ensuring employees have protected time off for rest, personal events, and health needs. Navigating these regulations is essential for seamless payroll and HR management, particularly for international companies employing staff in the country.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Lithuania are entitled to a minimum amount of annual paid leave. This leave is intended for rest and recovery.
- Minimum Entitlement: The standard minimum annual leave entitlement is 20 working days per year. For employees working six days a week, the minimum is 24 working days.
- Extended Leave: Certain categories of employees, such as those under 18, single parents raising a child under 14 or a disabled child under 18, and employees with disabilities, are entitled to extended annual leave of 25 working days (or 30 working days for a six-day work week).
- Accrual: Leave is typically accrued based on the period of employment. Employees usually gain the right to full annual leave after working for six months, though leave can often be granted proportionally before this period.
- Usage: Annual leave is generally granted based on an agreed schedule between the employer and employee. Part of the annual leave (at least 10 working days or 12 working days for a six-day work week) must be taken consecutively.
Public Holidays
Lithuania observes several public holidays throughout the year. On these days, employees are generally entitled to a day off with pay. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to increased compensation.
Here are the public holidays observed in Lithuania in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| February 16 | Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania |
| March 11 | Day of Restoration of Lithuania's Independence |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | International Workers' Day |
| June 24 | St. John's Day (Midsummer) |
| July 6 | Statehood Day (Coronation of King Mindaugas) |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| October 25 | Constitution Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Second Day of Christmas |
Sick Leave
Employees in Lithuania are entitled to sick leave when they are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Entitlement: Employees are entitled to sick leave based on a medical certificate issued by a healthcare professional.
- Duration: The duration of sick leave depends on the medical condition and the doctor's assessment.
- Pay:
- For the first two days of illness (or the first two working days), the employer pays sick pay, typically ranging from 62.05% to 100% of the employee's average wage, as stipulated in collective agreements or internal policies. The minimum statutory rate paid by the employer is 62.05%.
- From the third day of illness, the State Social Insurance Fund (SODRA) pays sick benefits, which are generally 62.05% of the employee's average wage.
- Conditions: To receive sick pay, the employee must inform the employer and provide a valid medical certificate.
Parental Leave
Lithuania provides comprehensive parental leave options, including maternity, paternity, and childcare leave.
- Maternity Leave:
- Entitlement: Typically 126 calendar days (70 days before the birth and 56 days after, or 14 days before and 112 days after in case of complications or multiple births).
- Pay: Paid by SODRA at a rate of 77.58% of the mother's average wage.
- Paternity Leave:
- Entitlement: 30 calendar days, to be taken any time between the birth of the child and the child reaching three months of age (or six months in case of multiple births).
- Pay: Paid by SODRA at a rate of 77.58% of the father's average wage.
- Childcare Leave (Parental Leave):
- Entitlement: Either parent (or grandparent, or guardian) can take leave until the child reaches the age of three. This leave can be taken continuously or in parts.
- Pay: Paid by SODRA. The benefit duration and rate depend on the chosen option:
- Option 1: Benefit paid until the child is 1 year old, at a rate of 77.58% of the parent's average wage.
- Option 2: Benefit paid until the child is 2 years old. The rate is 60% of the parent's average wage until the child is 1 year old, and 40% until the child is 2 years old.
- Note: Only one parent can receive the childcare benefit at a time.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Lithuanian law provides for various other types of leave to accommodate specific employee needs:
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing formal education may be entitled to paid or unpaid leave for study purposes, such as attending lectures, preparing for exams, or completing thesis work. The duration depends on the type of study and agreement with the employer.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted a few days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The specific duration may be defined by internal company policy or collective agreements, but generally, at least 3 days are granted.
- Leave for Family Reasons: Employees may be entitled to unpaid leave for urgent family reasons in cases of illness or accident requiring immediate presence.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not a statutory right for all employees, longer-term unpaid leave (sabbatical) may be granted based on mutual agreement between the employer and employee, often for personal development or rest after long service.
- Leave for Public Duties: Employees may be granted leave to perform state or public duties.
