Holiday Entitlement Calculator (Ireland)
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate Irish holiday entitlement — the Organisation of Working Time Act’s three methods (whichever is greater): 4 weeks for full years, 1/3 of a week per 117-hour month, or 8% of hours worked (max 4 weeks).
Quick answer: Irish leave = the GREATEST of: 4 working weeks (1,365+ hour years), 1/3 week per month with 117+ hours, or 8% of hours worked (capped at 4 weeks). Part-timers: the 8% method does the proration naturally.
The Three Methods (Take the Greatest)
| Method | Rule | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4 working weeks where the year has 1,365+ hours | Full-time full-year staff |
| B | 1/3 of a working week per calendar month of 117+ hours | Full-time partial years |
| C | 8% of hours worked, max 4 weeks | Part-time/variable |
Worked Examples
Example 1 — full-timer. 1,900 hours: Method A → 4 weeks (156 hours at a 39-hour week).
Example 2 — part-timer. 900 hours: 8% = 72 hours ≈ 1.85 weeks of their pattern.
Example 3 — half-year full-timer. 6 months × 160 hrs: B gives 2 weeks; C gives 8% × 960 = 76.8 hours ≈ 1.97 weeks → C wins slightly — always compute all three.
Pay and Mechanics
Leave pays at the normal weekly rate (average of 13 weeks for variable pay); employers decide timing with consultation; carryover is six months by default (longer for sickness-blocked leave per CJEU-era rules); and untaken leave must pay out at cessation — the cessation payout is enforceable at the WRC.
Sickness and Leave
Certified sickness during annual leave re-credits the days; leave accrues during certified sick absence (with the 15-month carry window) — Ireland imported the EU jurisprudence wholesale. Public holidays stack separately (the 1/5 rules); the statutory sick pay scheme covers the illness itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much annual leave in Ireland?
The greatest of: 4 weeks (1,365+ hour years), 1/3 week per 117-hour month, or 8% of hours worked capped at 4 weeks — plus 10 public holidays separately.
How do part-timers calculate leave?
The 8% method: hours worked × 0.08 — 900 hours earns 72 leave hours, naturally prorated.
Can annual leave be carried over in Ireland?
Six months into the next leave year by default — extended (up to 15 months) where certified sickness blocked taking it.
Is untaken leave paid at exit?
Yes — cessation payout of accrued leave is statutory and WRC-enforceable; forfeiture clauses don’t defeat it.
Does leave accrue while on sick leave?
Yes, during certified sickness — with the extended carry window the EU case law requires.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026