Lithuania has a comprehensive legal framework governing vacation and leave entitlements for employees. These regulations are designed to provide employees with adequate time off for rest, personal matters, and family responsibilities. Understanding these policies is crucial for employers to ensure compliance and maintain positive employee relations. The legal framework in Lithuania ensures that employees receive paid time off for annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and various types of parental leave, as well as other special circumstances.
Navigating the intricacies of Lithuanian leave policies can be complex, especially for international businesses. This guide provides a detailed overview of the key aspects of vacation and leave entitlements in Lithuania for 2025, covering annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and other types of leave.
Annual Vacation Leave
Lithuanian law guarantees a minimum annual vacation leave to all employees. The minimum annual leave entitlement is 20 working days. Certain categories of employees are entitled to extended annual leave.
- Employees under 18 years of age are entitled to 35 calendar days of annual leave.
- Employees raising a child (or children) with a disability up to the age of 18, or an employee raising a child (or children) under the age of 12, are entitled to 3 additional working days of annual leave.
- Single parents raising a child under the age of 14 or a child with a disability under the age of 18 are entitled to 3 additional working days of annual leave.
- Employees whose work involves a higher degree of nervous, emotional, and mental strain and risk are entitled to extended annual leave, the duration of which is established by the Government of Lithuania.
Annual leave is typically granted based on the employee's work experience with the current employer. Employees usually qualify for full annual leave after six months of continuous employment. Leave can be taken in full or divided into parts, but at least one part of the leave must be no shorter than 10 working days.
Public Holidays
Lithuania observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are entitled to a day off with pay on these holidays. Here is a list of public holidays in Lithuania for 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| February 16 | Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania |
| March 11 | Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | International Labour Day |
| May 4 | Mother's Day |
| June 1 | Father's Day |
| June 24 | St. John's Day (Joninės) |
| July 6 | Statehood Day (King Mindaugas Coronation Day) |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Second Day of Christmas |
If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following working day is usually declared a day off.
Sick Leave
Employees in Lithuania are entitled to sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The first two days of sick leave are paid by the employer at a rate of 62.06% of the employee's average earnings. From the third day of sick leave, the Social Insurance Fund (SoDra) pays a sickness benefit at a rate of 80% of the employee's average earnings.
To qualify for sick leave benefits, employees must provide a medical certificate to their employer. The certificate must be issued by a healthcare professional and specify the duration of the sick leave. There is no limit to the duration of sick leave, but SoDra benefits are typically paid for a maximum period, which is subject to certain conditions and medical assessments.
Parental Leave
Lithuania provides comprehensive parental leave benefits to support parents in caring for their children. These benefits include maternity leave, paternity leave, and leave for childcare.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave, which usually starts 70 calendar days before the expected date of delivery and continues for 56 calendar days after the birth. In the case of a complicated birth or the birth of more than one child, the postnatal leave is extended to 70 calendar days. During maternity leave, employees receive a benefit equal to 77.58% of their average earnings, paid by SoDra.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to paternity leave of 30 calendar days, which can be taken from the child's birth. Fathers receive a benefit equal to 77.58% of their average earnings, paid by SoDra.
Childcare Leave
After maternity leave, either parent can take childcare leave until the child reaches the age of three. The leave can be taken in full by one parent or shared between both parents.
- Until the child reaches one year old: The benefit is 77.58% of the employee's average earnings, paid by SoDra.
- From one year to two years old: The benefit is 54.31% of the employee's average earnings, paid by SoDra.
- From two years to three years old: No benefit is paid, but the parent retains their job and social security contributions are made by the state.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, Lithuanian law provides for other types of leave to accommodate various personal circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are entitled to bereavement leave in the event of the death of a close family member (e.g., spouse, parent, child). The duration of bereavement leave is typically 3 working days.
- Study Leave: Employees who are studying or participating in training programs may be entitled to study leave. The duration and conditions of study leave are usually determined by collective agreements or individual employment contracts.
- Unpaid Leave: Employees may request unpaid leave for personal reasons. The granting of unpaid leave is at the employer's discretion.
- Leave for Childcare Related Examinations: One working day off is granted to employees for a child health check-up.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not legally mandated, some employers may offer sabbatical leave as part of their benefits package. The terms and conditions of sabbatical leave vary depending on the employer's policies.
