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Leave and time off in Austria

Employees in Austria are entitled by law to various different types of leave, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave and more. In some industries, collective bargaining agreements provide even more generous leave provisions. And of course, employers can always choose to offer additional leave as an employee benefit.

Before employing workers in Austria, it’s important to understand the various types of leave that they’re entitled to. For example, an employee’s entitlement to annual leave and sick leave in Austria is dependent on their length of service. Employees also need to understand which types of leave are unpaid, and which are paid by the employer.

Leave in Austria

Annual leave in Austria is regulated by the Paid Annual Leave Act. The amount of leave an employee is entitled to depends on their length of employment. While there are standard rules that apply to everyone, collective bargaining agreements might provide more generous leave. Employers are also free to provide additional leave through their policies or individual employment contracts.

Annual leave in Austria

New employees accrue annual leave at the rate of two working days per month. After they have worked for their employer for six months, they’re entitled to the full allowance of five weeks (25 days) of leave per year. This entitlement is increased to six weeks (30 days) after 25 years of service. However, up to 12 years of prior service in other jobs and education can be counted towards this. Minimally employed and part-time employees receive the same amount of leave on a pro-rata basis.

Using and carrying over annual leave in Austria

Employees must come to an agreement with their employer regarding when they take their annual leave. However, employers must allow employees to use their leave in the year in which it arises. Employees can’t be unilaterally ‘sent’ on annual leave. If leave is not used within the year, it can be carried over up to a maximum of two years after the year in which the entitlement arose.

Employees must continue to receive pay (wages) while they are on leave. Any unused leave must be paid out when the employee leaves the company. It’s also possible to use annual leave to shorten the notice period at the end of an employment contract.

Sick leave in Austria

Like annual leave, an employee’s sick leave entitlement also depends on their length of service, as follows:

  • One year of employment: Six weeks at full pay and four weeks at half pay.
  • Two-15 years of employment: Eight weeks at full pay and four weeks at half pay.
  • 16-25 years of employment: 10 weeks at full pay and four weeks at half pay.
  • 26+ years of employment: 12 weeks at full pay and four weeks at half pay.

Sick pay up to these entitlements is paid by the employer, with any additional sick leave paid by social security.

Sick leave and annual leave in Austria

If an employee is sick for more than three calendar days while they are on annual leave in Austria, these days don’t count as annual leave. The employee must report the illness to the employer and obtain a medical certificate as proof.

Maternity, paternity, and parental leave in Austria

Employees in Austria have the right to time off work when they or their partner has a baby, and until their child turns two years old. Read on to learn how this leave works.

Maternity leave in Austria

Mothers are entitled to at least sixteen weeks of maternity leave in Austria. In fact, they are not legally allowed to work at all during the eight weeks before and after the birth. In the case of a caesarean or high-risk delivery, this is extended to 12 weeks after the birth. After the 16 weeks of maternity leave is over, mothers can choose to extend their leave with parental leave.

During this time, the employment relationship continues to exist, but the employee does not receive pay from their employer. Instead, they are entitled to a maternity allowance through the social security system. The amount they receive depends on their average earnings during the 13 weeks before maternity leave begins.

Paternity leave in Austria

Fathers in Austria are entitled to up to one month of paternity leave, which they can take any time from the child’s birth to their second birthday. This is unpaid by the employer, but the employee can receive pay through the social security system. Employees must notify their employer at least three months in advance to take this leave.

Parental leave in Austria

Parental leave in Austria begins when maternity leave finishes and lasts until the child turns two years old as long as each parent takes at least two months of leave. If only one parent takes parental leave, it only lasts until the child is 22 months old. Parents can switch who is on leave several times throughout the two-year entitlement period, but each block of leave must be at least two months. Both parents cannot take leave at the same time. Parents are entitled to payment under the Child Care Payment Act while they are on parental leave.

Other protections for parents in Austria

Employees in Austria are protected from dismissal and termination during parental leave and until four weeks after their leave ends.

There are also special provisions that regulate the protection of pregnant workers, workers who have recently given birth and those who are breastfeeding. For example, employers must assess all health and safety risks that could impact pregnant and breastfeeding employees and take adequate measures to protect them.

Certain activities are banned or restricted while employees are pregnant, including:

  • Handling of loads.
  • Permanent standing.
  • Working with machines.
  • Driving or working onboard vehicles.
  • Work with a risk of occupational disease.
  • Work with health hazards.
  • Permanent sitting.

While workers are breastfeeding, they are not permitted to work on Sundays, holidays, or between 8pm and 6am. Overtime is strictly prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding workers, and they should have the possibility to lie down in the workplace during work hours.

Adoption leave in Austria

Adoptive parents in Austria are entitled to parental leave under the same conditions and regulations as other parents.

Other leave in Austria

There are various other situations in which employees in Austria may be entitled to leave for work. Here are some of the main types of paid and unpaid leave in Austria that you may come across as an employer.

Childcare leave in Austria

Employees in Austria are entitled to one week of paid leave to care for a family member living in the same household. This is extended by one further week per calendar year if the child being cared for is under the age of 12.

Compassionate leave in Austria

Employees also have the right to compassionate leave to care for severely ill children or to spend time with relatives who are dying. This is typically unpaid leave in Austria. They may also choose to rearrange or reduce their working hours in these situations.

Educational and study leave in Austria

Employees in Austria can request leave to complete further education after six months of employment. Study leave can last from two months up to two years. It can also be spread out in separate periods over a total of up to four years. Although it is unpaid, employees can receive a training allowance (Weiterbildungsgeld) from the Employment Service (AMS), equivalent to the unemployment benefit. To be eligible for this benefit, they must participate in at least 20 hours of training per week.

Public holidays in Austria

There are 13 public holidays per year in Austria. These are regulated by the Federal Act Regulating Weekly Rest Periods and Public Holidays of 2010. Employees have the right to paid time off for national holidays that fall on working days.

Certain other days, like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve, are not holidays but are often celebrated as such. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, many businesses close early.

Employees can’t be required to work on 8 December even if their role is one of necessity. They can’t be reprimanded for not working, and the government is also not permitted to deploy troops or make other military moves on this day. Employees who do work on this day receive holiday pay.

Austrian public holidays in 2025

Here are the public holidays observed in Austria in 2025:

1 January
New Year’s Day
6 January
Epiphany
21 April
Easter Monday
1 May
Labour Day
29 May
Ascension Day
9 June
Whit Monday
19 June
Corpus Christi
15 August
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
26 October
National Day
1 November
All Saints’ Day
8 December
Immaculate Conception
25 December
Christmas Day
26 December
St Stephen’s Day

Protect your employees and your business

As an employer in Austria, you need to understand your employees’ rights and entitlements. But keeping up with them can be a lot of work.

When you hire workers with CXC, we’ll ensure your engagements are in line with all local, national and international employment regulations. That way, your workers will get their benefits they’re entitled to, and your business will be protected from risk.

Compliantly hire workers anywhere with CXC

With our EoR solution, you can engage workers anywhere in the world, without putting your business at risk. No more worrying about local labour laws, tax legislation or payroll customs — we’ve got you covered.

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