Vacation

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This article is on vacation as time off. For the movie, see National Lampoon's Vacation. For the Go Go's album/song see Vacation (album).

Vacation is a term used in English speaking North America to describe time away from work or school, a trip abroad, or simply a pleasure trip away from home. In the rest of the English-speaking world the word "holiday" is used. In Canada both terms are widely used. In England the word vacation referred specifically to the long summer break taken by the law courts (and later universities) - a custom introduced by William the Conqueror from Normandy where it was intended to facilitate the grape harvest. The French term is similar to the American English: "Les Vacances". The term derives from the fact that, in the past, upper-class families would literally move to a summer home for part of the year, leaving their usual family home vacant.

Most countries around the world have labor laws mandating a certain number of days of time off per year to be given to a worker. In Canada the legal minimum is two weeks, while in most of Europe the limit is significantly higher. Many American companies give only one week, and then frequently only after completion of a year of employment.

In modern employment practice, vacation days are usually coupled with sick time, official holidays, and sometimes personal days.

Americans and Canadians may also use the word "holiday", especially those of recent British or European descent.

Minimum vacation time around the world

Country	legally required
Argentina	12 calendar days
Australia	Not required, but 4 weeks is standard
Austria	5 weeks, for elderly employees 6 weeks
The Bahamas	2 weeks after 1 year employment, 3 weeks after 5 years employment
Belgium	20 days, premium pay
Brazil	30 consecutive days
Bulgaria	20 business days
Canada	10 working days, determined by provincial law
Chile	15 working days
China	Not required
Czech Republic	4 weeks
Colombia	2 weeks
European Union	4 weeks, more in some countries
Ecuador	2 weeks
Finland	5 weeks
France	5 weeks (30 "workable" days, i.e. Mo to Sa, even if the working week is Mo to Fri)
Germany	24 working days, plus 9 to 13 bank holidays
Hong Kong	7 days
Hungary	20 working days
Israel	14 days
Japan	including sick leave: 18 days paid time off; officially, five weeks (in reaction to the karoshi problem)
Korea, South	10 working days
Mexico	1 week
Netherlands	4 weeks
New Zealand	4 weeks as of April 1, 2007
Norway	25 working days
Paraguay	2 weeks
Peru	2 weeks
Puerto Rico	15 days
Saudi Arabia	15 days
Singapore	7 days
South Africa	21 consecutive days
Spain	30 calendar days
Sweden	5 weeks
Switzerland	4 weeks
Taiwan	7 days
Turkey	12 work days
Tunisia	30 work days
Ukraine	24 calendar days
United Kingdom	20 calendar days, plus 8 bank holidays
United States	Not required, but 7-21 days is standard for most employers. Typically, 10 working days.
Uruguay	2 weeks
Venezuela	15 paid days

Vacation

Minimum vacation time around the world

See also