Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a critical aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in any country. San Marino, a republic located within Italy, has its own distinct labor laws and regulations governing various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. Understanding these requirements is essential for employers to ensure they meet their legal obligations and maintain fair labor practices.
Navigating the specifics of San Marino's leave policies requires attention to detail, as entitlements and procedures are defined by national legislation and collective bargaining agreements. Employers must be aware of minimum statutory requirements for different leave types, as well as how these interact with employee contracts and company policies.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in San Marino are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum entitlement is generally four weeks per year. This entitlement typically accrues based on the length of service with the employer. The timing of leave is usually agreed upon between the employer and employee, taking into account business needs and employee preferences.
Specific regulations regarding the timing of leave, carry-over policies, and payment during leave may be further detailed in applicable collective labor agreements relevant to the specific industry or sector.
Public Holidays
San Marino observes a number of national public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to premium pay or compensatory time off, as stipulated by law or collective agreements.
The public holidays observed in San Marino in 2025 include:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- January 6: Epiphany
- February 5: Feast of Saint Agatha (Anniversary of the Liberation from the Alberonian Occupation)
- March 25: Anniversary of the Arengo
- April 21: Easter Monday (Date varies annually)
- May 1: Labour Day
- June 5: Corpus Christi (Date varies annually)
- July 28: Anniversary of the Fall of Fascism
- August 15: Assumption of Mary (Ferragosto)
- September 3: Republic Day (Feast of San Marino)
- November 1: All Saints' Day
- November 2: Commemoration of the Dead
- December 8: Immaculate Conception
- December 24: Christmas Eve (often a half-day or full day holiday)
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Saint Stephen's Day
Note that some holidays may have specific rules regarding observance or compensation depending on the collective labor agreement.
Sick Leave
Employees in San Marino are entitled to paid sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The employee is typically required to provide a medical certificate from a doctor to their employer to justify the absence.
The duration and level of sick pay can vary. Generally, employees are entitled to receive a portion of their regular salary during sick leave, often supplemented by social security contributions. The specific percentages and duration of paid sick leave may depend on the employee's length of service and the applicable collective labor agreement. There is usually a waiting period before sick pay commences, and the level of pay may decrease over extended periods of absence.
Parental Leave
San Marino provides various types of parental leave to support employees with family responsibilities, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave: Pregnant employees are entitled to mandatory maternity leave, typically commencing before the expected date of birth and continuing for a period after the birth. The total duration is generally around five months, though specific periods before and after birth are mandated. During maternity leave, employees are entitled to receive a significant portion of their salary, often paid through social security.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are also entitled to a period of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child. The duration is typically shorter than maternity leave but provides fathers with time to bond with the newborn and support the mother.
- Adoption Leave: Employees who adopt a child are also entitled to leave comparable to maternity or paternity leave to care for the newly adopted child. The duration and conditions are similar to those for biological parents.
Specific entitlements, payment levels, and conditions for parental leave are regulated by law and may be further detailed in collective agreements.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, San Marino labor law and collective agreements may provide for other types of leave, although these are often less extensive or depend more heavily on specific circumstances or agreements.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees may be entitled to a short period of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member.
- Study Leave: In some cases, employees may be granted leave for educational or training purposes, though conditions and pay for such leave can vary significantly.
- Leave for Personal Reasons: Collective agreements may allow for short periods of unpaid or paid leave for urgent personal or family reasons.
The availability and terms of these other leave types are highly dependent on the specific collective labor agreement governing the employee's sector and the individual employment contract.
