Navigating employee leave entitlements is a crucial aspect of managing a workforce in any country. In Slovenia, the legal framework provides clear guidelines regarding various types of leave, ensuring employees have time off for rest, personal circumstances, and family responsibilities. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to ensure compliance and maintain positive employee relations.
Slovenian labor law outlines specific provisions for annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental leave, among others. These entitlements are designed to protect employee well-being and support work-life balance, forming a fundamental part of the employment relationship within the country.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Slovenia are legally entitled to a minimum amount of paid annual leave. The basic entitlement is 20 working days per calendar year. However, certain factors can increase this minimum:
- Employees over 50 years of age are entitled to at least 3 additional days.
- Employees with a disability are entitled to at least 3 additional days.
- Employees with a child under 15 years of age are entitled to at least 2 additional days for each child.
- Employees working in hazardous conditions may be entitled to additional days based on collective agreements.
The total annual leave entitlement cannot be less than 4 weeks, regardless of the number of working days in a week. Leave is typically accrued proportionally based on the length of employment during the year. Employees generally have the right to take their annual leave in parts, with one part lasting at least two weeks. Unused leave from the previous year can typically be carried over under specific conditions, often until June 30th of the following year.
Public Holidays
Slovenia observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to paid time off on these days. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to increased pay.
Here are the public holidays observed in Slovenia in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 2 | New Year's Day |
| February 8 | Prešeren Day, Slovenian Cultural Holiday |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| April 27 | Day of Uprising Against Occupation |
| May 1 | May Day |
| May 2 | May Day |
| June 8 | Whit Sunday |
| June 25 | Statehood Day |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| October 31 | Reformation Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Independence and Unity Day |
Sick Leave
Employees in Slovenia are entitled to paid sick leave in case of illness or injury. The duration and payment of sick leave depend on the length of absence and the cause.
- Short-term sick leave (up to 30 days): For the first 30 working days of absence within a calendar year (or 90 calendar days for the same illness over two years), the employer is responsible for paying sick leave compensation. The compensation rate is typically 80% of the employee's average salary from the previous 12 months.
- Long-term sick leave (over 30 days): For absences exceeding the employer's responsibility period, the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS) takes over the payment of sick leave compensation. The rate paid by ZZZS varies depending on the reason for absence (e.g., illness, injury at work) but is commonly 80% or 90% of the employee's average salary.
A medical certificate from a doctor is required to justify sick leave.
Parental Leave
Slovenian law provides comprehensive parental leave entitlements, including maternity, paternity, and parental leave, aimed at supporting new parents.
- Maternity Leave: Expectant mothers are entitled to 105 days of maternity leave. This leave typically starts 28 days before the expected date of birth and continues after the birth. Compensation during maternity leave is paid by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia at a rate of 100% of the employee's average salary.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to 30 days of paternity leave. These days can be taken flexibly until the child reaches the age of three. 15 days are paid at 100% of the average salary by the Health Insurance Institute, while the remaining 15 days are unpaid.
- Parental Leave: After the expiration of maternity and paternity leave, parents are jointly entitled to 160 days of parental leave for the first child (or more for multiple births). This leave can be used by either parent or shared between them. Compensation during parental leave is paid by the Health Insurance Institute at a rate of 100% of the average salary, capped at a certain amount.
There are also provisions for adoption leave, which provides similar entitlements to parental leave for parents who adopt a child.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the main categories, Slovenian law and collective agreements recognize other types of leave that employees may be entitled to:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member (e.g., spouse, child, parent). The duration is usually 2 working days.
- Leave for Personal Circumstances: Employees may be entitled to paid leave for specific personal reasons, such as getting married (usually 2 working days) or moving house (usually 1 working day).
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing education may be entitled to paid or unpaid leave for exams or other study-related activities, as defined by collective agreements or internal company rules.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not a statutory right for all employees, longer periods of unpaid leave or sabbatical arrangements may be agreed upon between the employer and employee, often governed by internal policies or collective agreements.
- Leave for Force Majeure: Employees may be entitled to paid leave in cases of unavoidable circumstances that prevent them from coming to work, such as natural disasters.
