Plan your vacation days to get the most out of your time off
The vacation rules and FAQ describe Finland. Select the country for the public-holiday calendar separately.
Get the most out of your vacation days
This guide explains in plain language how annual leave (paid vacation) works in Finland: how many days you earn, when you can use them, and how they’re counted.
You earn paid vacation automatically as you work. For each month that meets the legal criteria, you get 2 days if employed under a year, or 2.5 days if employed at least a year. Typically ~24 days after your first year, ~30 days thereafter. The earning period runs April 1 – March 31 (holiday credit year).
A month counts if you work at least 14 days in that month, or at least 35 hours (for part‑time workers).
About 4 weeks after your first year, about 5 weeks after longer employment. By law a ‘vacation day’ means a weekday (Mon–Sat), so 24 days = 4 weeks (6×4).
Main summer season is May 2 – September 30. Employers decide the timing but must consider your wishes.
Every weekday (Mon–Sat) inside your vacation period consumes 1 vacation day. Sundays and public holidays do not. Examples: Mon–Fri = 5 days; Mon–Sat = 6 days; Fri–Mon (continuous) = 3 days (Fri, Sat, Mon); Fri + next Mon (separate) = 2 days (Sat not counted).
No. If a Sunday or a public holiday falls during your vacation, it does not reduce your vacation balance.
Part‑time workers earn vacation the same way if the monthly thresholds are met (14 days or 35 hours). Vacation days are still counted Mon–Sat.
If you get sick before or during your vacation, you can request to postpone those days. Notify your employer immediately and provide a medical certificate if required.
Yes. If you have more than two weeks, it can be split—typically one longer and one shorter block. One part must be at least two continuous weeks unless otherwise agreed.
Often yes. Many workplaces allow saving 5–10 days to the next year. Check your workplace policy.
By law, Finland uses a 6‑day week (Mon–Sat) for counting vacation. Many office jobs use a 5‑day week (Mon–Fri). Time off is equivalent; only the counting differs.
The employer decides but must ask for your wishes, inform you at least one month in advance, and ensure the main vacation (2+ weeks) is in summer.
You will be paid for unused vacation days in your final salary (holiday compensation).
Monthly‑paid employees receive normal salary during vacation. Hourly employees’ vacation pay is based on average earnings before vacation.
Vacation is earned Apr 1 – Mar 31. You earn 2–2.5 days per full working month. Counted Mon–Sat (Sundays and holidays excluded). Saturday counts only within continuous vacations. Part‑time workers accrue if thresholds are met. You are paid during vacation; unused days are compensated if employment ends.
Plan your annual leave on a calendar that shows public holidays for your country and counts working days. For Finland it follows the Annual Holidays Act rules for a five-day or six-day week, so you can see how many days you use and how long your longest break is.
You earn 2 working days per full holiday credit month, or 2.5 days per month if your employment has lasted at least one year by 31 March. That is 24 days for a full year under the 2-day rate and 30 days under the 2.5-day rate. Half days are rounded up.
A month in which you worked at least 14 days, or at least 35 hours if you worked fewer than 14 days. Some absences, such as illness and family leave, count as work up to a limit.
The summer holiday of 24 days is granted in the holiday season from 2 May to 30 September. The rest is winter holiday, granted between 1 October and 30 April.
Yes. In Finland annual holiday is counted in working days, and Saturdays count unless they are one of the excluded days such as Easter Saturday or a holiday. Sundays and church holidays do not count.
Not by statute. The Annual Holidays Act does not include it. Holiday bonus is an increment agreed in collective agreements, for example 50% of holiday pay.
. Planning aid only. Your contract and employer schedule decide actual vacation.